Applicability and Efficiency of a Polytomous IRT-Based Computerized Adaptive Test for Measuring Psychological Traits

Abstract

Currently, research on computerized adaptive testing (CAT) focuses mainly on dichotomous items and cognitive traits (achievement, aptitude, etc.). However, polytomous IRT-based CAT is a promising research area for measuring psychological traits that has attracted much attention. The main purpose of this study is to test the practicality of the polytomous IRT-based CAT and its equivalence with the paper-pencil version. Data were collected from 1449 high school students (45% female) via the paper-pencil version. The data were used for IRT parameter estimates and CAT simulation studies. For the equivalence study, the research group consisted of 81 students (47% female) who participated in both the paper-pencil and live CAT applications. The paper-pencil version of the vocational interest inventory consists of 17 factors and 164 items. When the EAP estimation method and setting SE