¿De qué Hablamos Cuando Hablamos de Psicometría? / What We Talk About When We Talk About Psychometrics (in Spanish)

El significado del término psicometría se puede abordar desde distintas perspectivas, tales como la consulta de diccionarios, el punto de vista de expertos internacionales o el análisis de un corpus lingu?ístico. Para este estudio, se ha partido de un corpus actualizado del español. La muestra fue de 90 documentos válidos de los que se seleccionó el primer texto de modo que las frecuencias de los temas procedieran de textos independientes. El método empleado fue el análisis temático tabular estructurado (AT-TE). Los resultados indican que la acepción más frecuente en español es la relativa al análisis de la calidad de las medidas, seguida de la que refiere a la evaluación y finalmente la de un enfoque metodológico en general, lo que es coherente con los diccionarios de autoridades, pero se aleja de la perspectiva mayoritaria de expertos internacionales, que consideran que la psicometría no tendría por qué vincularse a la psicología.(AU)

Understanding the meaning of the term psychometrics can be approached from different perspectives, such as the consultation of dictionaries, the point of view of international experts, or the analysis of a linguistic corpus. For this study, an up-to-date Spanish corpus was used as the starting point. The sample consisted of 90 valid documents from which the first text was selected so that the frequencies of the themes came from independent texts. The method used was structured tabular thematic analysis (ST-TA). The results indicate that the most frequent meaning in Spanish is that related to the analysis of the quality of measurements, followed by that referring to evaluation, and finally that of a methodological approach in general. This is consistent with the dictionaries of authorities, but departs from the majority perspective of international experts, who consider that psychometrics does not necessarily have to be linked to psychology.(AU)

Objective measurement of Spanish emotion vocabulary.

Current research on emotion knowledge and competence emphasises the role of language. Emotion vocabulary is one of the indicators of emotion knowledge that can be objectively measured; however, the metric properties of the scores obtained in tests and tasks to measure it have seldom been adequate. In this study we designed and validated a Spanish emotion vocabulary test (MOVE) employing a corpus approach to construct cloze multiple-choice items, administered the test to a Spanish-speaking sample from two countries, Spain and Argentina, and analysed structural validity of the test items with the Rasch model measurement approach. Eighty-eight items showed adequate fit. Overall, a substantial percentage of variance was explained by a latent variable. Reliability indexes at the test, item, and person level were also adequate. As a vocabulary test, the MOVE can be used in psychological and neurological investigation, as well as in language learning research.

Driving Offences and Emotion Regulation: A Psychometric Analysis of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ).

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the role of emotion regulation in driving. This study analyzed the psychometric properties of one of the most commonly-used tests for the evaluation of emotion regulation in a drivers' sample. METHODS: A total of 318 male drivers (M age = 41.6 years, SD = 11.1, age range 20-69 years, half with road traffic offences and half, matched controls), participated in the study by filling out the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Data analysis was carried out using the Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM). RESULTS: The performance of the response categories was inadequate. After collapsing the seven original response categories into three, the categories were functional, the unidimensionality requirement was met, and data-model fit was adequate. Both person reliability and item reliability were adequate for the two subscales of ERQ. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the cognitive reappraisal subscale. CONCLUSIONS: Given the adequate psychometric properties of the ERQ, it is suggested that the role of cognitive reappraisal in driving contexts be explored in depth.

Driving Offences and Emotion Regulation: A Psychometric Analysis of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) / Infracciones de Tráfico y Regulación Emocional: Análisis Psicométrico del ERQ

Background: Little is known about the role of emotion regulation in driving. This study analyzed the psychometric properties of one of the most commonly-used tests for the evaluation of emotion regulation in a drivers’ sample. Methods: A total of 318 male drivers (M age = 41.6 years, SD = 11.1, age range 20-69 years, half with road traffic offences and half, matched controls), participated in the study by filling out the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Data analysis was carried out using the Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM). Results: The performance of the response categories was inadequate. After collapsing the seven original response categories into three, the categories were functional, the unidimensionality requirement was met, and data-model fit was adequate. Both person reliability and item reliability were adequate for the two subscales of ERQ. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the cognitive reappraisal subscale. Conclusions: Given the adequate psychometric properties of the ERQ, it is suggested that the role of cognitive reappraisal in driving contexts be explored in depth.(AU)

Antecedentes: No es mucho lo que se conoce sobre el papel de la regulación emocional en la conducción. Analizamos las propiedades psicométricas de uno de los test más utilizados para la evaluación de la regulación emocional en una muestra de conductores. Métodos: un total de 318 conductores varones (M = 41.6 años, DT = 11.1, rango de edad 20-69 años; la mitad con infracciones de tráfico y la mitad restante, controles emparejados), cumplimentaron el cuestionario de regulación de emociones (ERQ en inglés). El análisis de los datos se llevó a cabo mediante el modelo de Rasch para escalas de calificación. Resultados: El funcionamiento de las categorías de respuesta fue inadecuado. Tras reducir las siete categorías de respuesta originales a tres, las categorías resultaron funcionales, se cumplía el requisito de unidimensionalidad y el ajuste de los datos con el modelo fue adecuado. Tanto la fiabilidad de las personas como la de los ítems fueron adecuadas en las dos subescalas del ERQ. Se halló una diferencia significativa entre los grupos de estudio en la subescala de revaluación cognitiva. Conclusiones: Dadas las adecuadas propiedades psicométricas del ERQ, se sugiere explorar en profundidad el papel de la revaluación cognitiva en contextos de conducción.(AU)

Estudio metamétodo de la investigación cualitativa sobre las estrategiasde regulación emocional / A metamethod study of qualitative research on emotion regulation strategies

Los estudios metamétodo describen procedimientos y examinan si los análisis empleados son los adecuados para unámbito de investigación, que en este caso es la regulación emocional cuya relevancia psicológica ha aumentado enlos últimos años. El objetivo de este trabajo es el análisis metamétodo de las investigaciones cualitativas sobre lasestrategias de regulación emocional. El análisis se realizó a partir de la lectura de resúmenes y de textos completospartiendo de 317 publicaciones. Al aplicar los criterios de inclusión, la muestra final contó con 25 estudios. Sehalló coherencia entre los métodos de análisis y el foco de los estudios. La entrevista semiestructurada fue elprocedimiento común para la recogida de datos y el análisis temático el método más utilizado. El consenso entreinvestigadores fue el control de calidad habitual. Para avalar la integridad metodológica se recomienda a losinvestigadores cualitativos proporcionar más información sobre los procedimientos y enfoques.(AU)

Metamethod studies describe procedures and examine whether the analyses used are appropriate for an area ofresearch, in this case emotion regulation, which has increased in relevance within the field of psychology in recentyears. The objective of this study is to carry out a metamethod analysis of qualitative research on emotion regulationstrategies. The analysis was based on the reading of abstracts and full texts from 317 publications. When theinclusion criteria were applied, the final sample consisted of 25 studies. Findings indicated consistency between themethods of analysis employed and the focus of the studies. The semi-structured interview was the most commonprocedure for data collection and thematic analysis the most used method. Consensus among the investigatorswas the most widespread quality control. To support methodological integrity, it is recommended that qualitativeresearchers provide more information on procedures and approaches.(AU)

Evaluación del Emotion Regulation Checklist para Niños y Adolescentes / Evaluation of the Emotion Regulation Checklist for Children and Adolescents / Avaliação da Lista de Controle de Regulação da Emoção para Crianças e Adolescentes

Resumen Durante la infancia y la adolescencia la regulación de las emociones tiene repercusiones en diferentes ámbitos, tanto en estas etapas como en la vida adulta. El objetivo de este artículo fue evaluar un test de regulación emocional, Emotional Regulation Checklist (ERC), utilizando el CET-R como marco de referencia. Se analizaron 71 artículos que emplearon el ERC para la evaluación de la regulación emocional. La información se clasificó teniendo en cuenta la descripción del test, su fiabilidad y validez. Todos los resultados de fiabilidad se mostraron mediante el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. En relación a la validez, fue adecuado el promedio de las correlaciones del ERC con sus criterios, pero con algunas carencias. Es recomendable plantear investigaciones con modelos psicométricos avanzados.

Abstract Emotion regulation during childhood and adolescence has implications in different areas, both in these stages and in adult life. The objective of this article was to evaluate an emotional regulation test, Emotional Regulation Checklist (ERC), using CET-R as a frame of reference. We analyzed 71 articles that used the ERC for the evaluation of emotional regulation. The information was sorted according to test description, reliability and validity. All reliability results were shown using the Cronbach alpha coefficient. In relation to validity the average of the ERC correlations with the criteria was adequate but with some shortcomings. It is advisable to conduct research using advanced psychometric models.

Resumo A regulação das emoções na infância e adolescência tem implicações em diferentes áreas, tanto nestas fases como na vida adulta. O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar um teste de regulação emocional, Emotional Regulation Checklist (ERC), usando o CET-R como marco de referência. Foram analisados 71 artigos que utilizaram o ERC para a avaliação da regulação emocional. A informação foi classificada de acordo com a descrição do teste, confiabilidade e validade. Todos os resultados de confiabilidade foram mostrados usando o coeficiente alfa Cronbach. Em relação à validade, a média das correlações do ERC com os critérios foi adequada, mas com algumas falhas. É aconselhável a realização de pesquisas utilizando modelos psicométricos avançados.

Agreement on emotion labels' frequency in eight Spanish linguistic areas.

Various traditions have investigated the relationship between emotion and language. For the basic emotions view, emotional prototypes are lexically sedimented in language, evidenced in cultural convergence in emotional recognition and expression tasks. For constructionist theories, conceptual knowledge supported by language is at the core of emotions. Understanding emotion words is embedded in various interrelated constructs such as emotional intelligence, emotion knowledge or emotion differentiation, and is related to, but different from, general vocabulary. A clear advantage of Emotion Vocabulary over most emotion-related constructs is that it can be measured objectively. In two successive corpus-based studies, we tested the predictions of concordance and absolute agreement on the frequency of use of a total of 100 Spanish emotion labels in the eight main Spanish-speaking areas: Spain, Mexico-Central America, River Plate, Continental Caribbean, Andean, Antilles, Chilean, and the United States. In both studies, the intraclass correlation coefficient was statistically different from the null and very large, over .95, as was the Kendall's concordance coefficient, indicating broad consensus among the Spanish linguistic areas. From an applied perspective, our results provide supporting evidence for the similarity in frequency, and therefore cross-cultural generalizability regarding familiarity of the 100 emotion labels as item stems or as experimental stimuli without going through a process of additional adaptation. On a broader scope, these results add evidence on the role of language for emotion theories. In this regard, countries and regions compared here share the same Spanish language, but differ in several aspects in history, culture, and socio-economic structure.

The 5 Objects Test: Normative data from a Spanish community sample.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide normative data for the 5 Objects Test in a large Spanish community sample, as well as some validity evidence. METHODS: The sample was composed of 427 participants (of which 220 females, age 15 to 95 years old; educational level range: 2-17 years). Normative data are provided, as well as correlations with test scores from Benton Visual Retention test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and Mini Mental State Examination. RESULTS: No association was found between delayed recall score and level of education, age or gender. Immediate recall score was correlated with age. Both immediate and delayed recall significantly correlated with the criteria, evidencing concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that the 5 Objects Test be used for assessing persons in primary care, including those from different linguistic backgrounds or with limited language use. Delayed recall scores are especially recommended given the lack of association with demographic variables.

Testing the generalized validity of the Emotion Knowledge test scores.

Differential item functioning (DIF) is of the utmost importance in order to corroborate the generalized validity of test scores in different groups. DIF indicates that an item does not function equally in different groups such as age, gender or cultural ones. Our objective was to contrast the generalized validity of the Emotion Knowledge (EK) test scores in a heterogeneous Argentinian sample composed of 100 females and 100 males (age range: 18-65). Data from the original validation sample (200 Spanish participants, half of them males) were conjointly analyzed (total n = 400). Results of the Rasch Model (RM) analysis indicated that both fit to the RM and reliability (ISR = .97, PSR = .80) were adequate. Item logit measures ranged from -3.89 to 3.68, and person logit measures ranged from -1.12 to 5.09, with a mean value of 2.36. DIF was tested for gender, age, educational level and country, with a few item contrasts found to be statistically significant. Even though small significant differences in EK scores were associated with educational level (d = .25) and country (d = -.25), they became non-significant after removing the seven country-related DIF affected items. We can conclude that there is enough evidence for the generalized validity of EK test scores in Argentina. Given that recent theories of human emotion consider conceptual knowledge supported by language as constitutive of emotions, the EK test can be used in academic or applied settings where individual differences in emotional competence might be relevant.

Contrasting Two Verbal Fluency Scoring Systems Using the Rasch Rating Scale Model / Comparación de Dos Sistemas de Puntuación de la Fluidez Verbal Mediante el Modelo de Escalas de Calificación

Resumen Objetivo: Comparar dos sistemas de puntuación para un test de fluidez verbal con el Modelo de Escalas de Calificación. Método: Se analizaron datos de 289 participantes, de los cuales 92 habían sido diagnosticados con Parkinson. Las puntuaciones se calcularon con dos sistemas de categorización: un procedimiento convencional y otro basado en percentiles. Resultados: Las puntuaciones Rasch procedentes de percentiles dan lugar a categorías adecuadas y medidas fiables; la correlación con las puntuaciones del test Minimental es evidencia de validez concurrente. Tras controlar estadísticamente el efecto de la edad, las medidas Rasch procedentes de percentiles discriminan entre ambos grupos, lo que evidencia validez predictiva. Conclusiones: El análisis de los dos procedimientos permite recomendar el uso de las categorías basadas en percentiles.

Abstract Objective: Two scoring systems for a verbal fluency test were compared using the Rasch Rating Scale Model. Method: The analysis was carried out on 289 participants, 92 of whom had had a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Scores were calculated with two different category systems: a conventional procedure and a percentile-based one. Results: The percentile-based Rasch scores produce adequate categories and reliable measures, while the correlation with the Mini Mental State Examination evinces concurrent validity. After statistically controlling for age, percentile-based Rasch measures discriminated between both groups, demonstrating predictive validity. Conclusions: The analysis of the two procedures allows for the recommendation of the use of percentile-based categories.

Constructing three emotion knowledge tests from the invariant measurement approach.

BACKGROUND: Psychological constructionist models like the Conceptual Act Theory (CAT) postulate that complex states such as emotions are composed of basic psychological ingredients that are more clearly respected by the brain than basic emotions. The objective of this study was the construction and initial validation of Emotion Knowledge measures from the CAT frame by means of an invariant measurement approach, the Rasch Model (RM). Psychological distance theory was used to inform item generation. METHODS: Three EK tests-emotion vocabulary (EV), close emotional situations (CES) and far emotional situations (FES)-were constructed and tested with the RM in a community sample of 100 females and 100 males (age range: 18-65), both separately and conjointly. RESULTS: It was corroborated that data-RM fit was sufficient. Then, the effect of type of test and emotion on Rasch-modelled item difficulty was tested. Significant effects of emotion on EK item difficulty were found, but the only statistically significant difference was that between "happiness" and the remaining emotions; neither type of test, nor interaction effects on EK item difficulty were statistically significant. The testing of gender differences was carried out after corroborating that differential item functioning (DIF) would not be a plausible alternative hypothesis for the results. No statistically significant sex-related differences were found out in EV, CES, FES, or total EK. However, the sign of d indicate that female participants were consistently better than male ones, a result that will be of interest for future meta-analyses. DISCUSSION: The three EK tests are ready to be used as components of a higher-level measurement process.

An exploratory sequential design to validate measures of moral emotions / Un diseño secuencial exploratorio para validar medidas de emociones morales

BACKGROUND: This paper presents an exploratory and sequential mixed methods approach in validating measures of knowledge of the moral emotions of contempt, anger and disgust. METHOD: The sample comprised 60 participants in the qualitative phase when a measurement instrument was designed. Item stems, response options and correction keys were planned following the results obtained in a descriptive phenomenological analysis of the interviews. In the quantitative phase, the scale was used with a sample of 102 Spanish participants, and the results were analysed with the Rasch model. RESULTS: In the qualitative phase, salient themes included reasons, objects and action tendencies. In the quantitative phase, good psychometric properties were obtained. The model fit was adequate. However, some changes had to be made to the scale in order to improve the proportion of variance explained. CONCLUSIONS: Substantive and methodological implications of this mixed-methods study are discussed. Had the study used a single research method in isolation, aspects of the global understanding of contempt, anger and disgust would have been lost

ANTECEDENTES: esta investigación presenta una investigación mixta exploratoria y secuencial para validar medidas de conocimiento de las emociones morales de desprecio, rabia y asco. MÉTODO: la muestra se compuso de 60 participantes en la fase cualitativa, en la que se diseñó un instrumento de medida. Los ítems, las opciones de respuesta y las claves de corrección se diseñaron considerando los resultados obtenidos en el análisis fenomenológico descriptivo de las entrevistas. En la fase cuantitativa, la escala se aplicó a una muestra de 102 participantes españoles y los resultados se analizaron con el modelo de Rasch. RESULTADOS: en la fase cualitativa, los temas más notables incluyeron las razones, los objetos y las tendencias de acción asociadas a las emociones. En la fase cuantitativa se obtuvieron propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias. El ajuste al modelo fue adecuado. No obstante, se tuvieron que realizar cambios en la escala con la finalidad de mejorar la proporción de varianza explicada. CONCLUSIONES: se discuten las implicaciones sustantivas y metodológicas de esta investigación. Si en este estudio se hubiera empleado un único método de investigación se habría perdido información referida al entendimiento global de las emociones de desprecio, rabia y asco

An exploratory sequential design to validate measures of moral emotions.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents an exploratory and sequential mixed methods approach in validating measures of knowledge of the moral emotions of contempt, anger and disgust. METHOD: The sample comprised 60 participants in the qualitative phase when a measurement instrument was designed. Item stems, response options and correction keys were planned following the results obtained in a descriptive phenomenological analysis of the interviews. In the quantitative phase, the scale was used with a sample of 102 Spanish participants, and the results were analysed with the Rasch model. RESULTS: In the qualitative phase, salient themes included reasons, objects and action tendencies. In the quantitative phase, good psychometric properties were obtained. The model fit was adequate. However, some changes had to be made to the scale in order to improve the proportion of variance explained. CONCLUSIONS: Substantive and methodological im-plications of this mixed-methods study are discussed. Had the study used a single re-search method in isolation, aspects of the global understanding of contempt, anger and disgust would have been lost.

La medida de la percepción emocional con el modelo de rasch / Measuring emotion perception with the rasch model

Resumen Reconocer y denominar expresiones emocionales son habilidades en cuyo estudio existe un creciente interés por parte de la psicología y las neurociencias; trastornos tales como el autismo, la esquizofrenia y la depresión se caracterizan por dificultades en reconocer las emociones ajenas. El hallazgo de diferencias a favor de las mujeres en Percepción Emocional (PE) ha sido replicado transculturalmente por lo que sirve como evidencia de validez. En esta investigación, de diseño instrumental, se construyeron 28 ítems y se pusieron a prueba mediante el modelo de Rasch (MR) en una muestra de población general española (102 varones y 102 mujeres; rango de edad=18-65). El ajuste datos-modelo fue suficiente. Las medidas de las personas muestran que el test resultó fácil (rango = -.60 a 4.14 logits). Se hallaron las diferencias sexuales predichas, d= -.36 (d con corrección de la atenuación= -.50); que ningún ítem mostrase funcionamiento diferencial (DIF) asociado al sexo y que la variable construida tenga propiedades intervalares añade confianza al valor estimado del tamaño del efecto. La construcción de una escala de intervalo en la que se localizan conjuntamente ítems y personas ofrece información cuantitativa y permite detectar patrones inesperados de respuesta que pueden ser de utilidad para el diagnóstico neuropsicológico.

Abstract Recognizing and labeling emotion expressions are abilities in whose study psychology and the neurosciences are increasingly interested; disorders such as autism, schizophrenia and depression are characterized by difficulties in recognizing others' emotions. The finding of sex differences favoring women in Emotion Perception (EP) has been replicated cross-culturally, and so it can be used as validity evidence. In this instrumental design study, some 28 items were constructed and tested by means of the Rasch model (RM) in a Spanish community sample (102males and 102 females; age range=18-65). Data-model fit was good enough. Person measures show that the test was easy (range = -.60 to 4.14 logits). Even so, the predicted sex differences favoring women were found, d= -.36 (disattenuated d= -.50). That no item showed sex-related Differential Item Functioning (DIF) and that the constructed variable has interval scale properties add confidence to the effect size estimated value. The construction of an interval scale on which EP items and persons are conjointly represented offers quantitative information and allows the discovery of unexpected response patterns.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and its relationship with disgust vulnerability and conscientiousness.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms, disgust vulnerability, and the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality. METHOD: The sample consisted of 100 adult patients with OCD as a primary diagnosis and 246 with other anxiety disorders (OADs), who responded to OCD, disgust vulnerability, anxiety, depression and personality questionnaires. To perform parametric statistical calculations, all questionnaire scores were transformed from raw ordinal-scale scores to Rasch measures, with interval properties. RESULTS: OCD patients scored significantly higher than OAD patients on DPSS-R Disgust Sensitivity and DPSS-R Disgust Propensity, with a large effect size observed on Disgust Propensity. Furthermore, strong correlations were observed between DPSS-R Propensity to Disgust model scores and DOCS Contamination model scores. Finally, NEO FFI Conscientiousness trait was significantly higher in OCD patients.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and its relationship with disgust vulnerability and conscientiousness / El trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo y su relación con la vulnerabilidad al asco y la minuciosidad

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms, disgust vulnerability, and the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality. METHOD: The sample consisted of 100 adult patients with OCD as a primary diagnosis and 246 with other anxiety disorders (OADs), who responded to OCD, disgust vulnerability, anxiety, depression and personality questionnaires. To perform parametric statistical calculations, all questionnaire scores were transformed from raw ordinal-scale scores to Rasch measures, with interval properties. RESULTS: OCD patients scored significantly higher than OAD patients on DPSS-R Disgust Sensitivity and DPSS-R Disgust Propensity, with a large effect size observed on Disgust Propensity. Furthermore, strong correlations were observed between DPSS-R Propensity to Disgust model scores and DOCS Contamination model scores. Finally, NEO FFI Conscientiousness trait was significantly higher in OCD patients

ANTECEDENTES: el objetivo del estudio fue analizar la relación entre los síntomas asociados al trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC), la vulnerabilidad al asco y el modelo de los cinco factores de personalidad. MÉTODO: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 100 adultos con TOC y 246 con otro trastorno de ansiedad (OTA) que respondieron a diferentes cuestionarios sobre TOC, propensión y sensibilidad al asco, ansiedad, depresión y personalidad. Previamente a realizar los análisis estadísticos paramétricos, todas las puntuaciones directas se transformaron en medidas Rasch, con propiedades de escala de intervalo. RESULTADOS: los pacientes TOC puntuaron significativamente más alto en sensibilidad y propensión al asco que los pacientes del grupo OTA, y esta diferencia fue mayor para la propensión al asco. Se observaron correlaciones altas entre las puntuaciones en propensión al asco y contaminación de la DOCS en ambos grupos. Finalmente, las puntuaciones en minuciosidad del test NEO FFI fueron significativamente más altas en el grupo TOC que en el OTA

Construção e análise pelo modelo de Rasch de dois testes computadorizados de memória de reconhecimento / Construction and analysis by the Rasch model of two computerized recognition memory tests

Os objetivos deste estudo foram desenvolver uma versão computadorizada para um teste de reconhecimento associativo, desenvolver itens para a construção e informatização de um teste de reconhecimento de itens, utilizando o modelo de Rasch. Também foi objetivo deste estudo testar as hipóteses dos níveis de dificuldade dos itens e buscar evidência de validade para os instrumentos, averiguando se as mulheres obtêm desempenho superior ao dos homens. Participaram 217 estudantes universitários, homens e mulheres, com idade média de 25 anos. Os resultados indicaram que os testes se ajustaram ao modelo de Rasch, apresentaram índices de fidedignidade adequados e não apresentaram funcionamento diferencial dos itens (DIF). Obteve-se empiricamente a ordem esperada de dificuldade das categorias de itens do teste individual e uma alta correlação entre a ordem de dificuldade esperada dos pares e a ordem obtida dos pares. As mulheres apresentaram um desempenho significativamente superior ao dos homens, que não se deve ao DIF.

The objectives of this study were to develop items for a computerized version of an associative recognition memory test and to develop items for the construction and computerization of an individual recognition memory test, using the Rasch model. This study also aimed to test the hypothesis related to the item difficulty levels and to search for validity evidences for the instruments investigating if there are differences between male and female performance. Two hundred and seventeen college students, male and female, with average age of 25 years, participated in the study. Results indicated that the tests fit the Rasch model, presented adequate reliability index and did not present differential item functioning (DIF). The expected difficulty order of item categories from the individual subtest as well as a large correlation between the pairs expected difficulty order and the pairs obtained order were found. Women presented significantly higher performance than men and it is not due to DIF.

Construção e análise pelo modelo de Rasch de dois testes computadorizados de memória de reconhecimento / Construction and analysis by the Rasch model of two computerized recognition memory tests

Os objetivos deste estudo foram desenvolver uma versão computadorizada para um teste de reconhecimento associativo, desenvolver itens para a construção e informatização de um teste de reconhecimento de itens, utilizando o modelo de Rasch. Também foi objetivo deste estudo testar as hipóteses dos níveis de dificuldade dos itens e buscar evidência de validade para os instrumentos, averiguando se as mulheres obtêm desempenho superior ao dos homens. Participaram 217 estudantes universitários, homens e mulheres, com idade média de 25 anos. Os resultados indicaram que os testes se ajustaram ao modelo de Rasch, apresentaram índices de fidedignidade adequados e não apresentaram funcionamento diferencial dos itens (DIF). Obteve-se empiricamente a ordem esperada de dificuldade das categorias de itens do teste individual e uma alta correlação entre a ordem de dificuldade esperada dos pares e a ordem obtida dos pares. As mulheres apresentaram um desempenho significativamente superior ao dos homens, que não se deve ao DIF.(AU)

The objectives of this study were to develop items for a computerized version of an associative recognition memory test and to develop items for the construction and computerization of an individual recognition memory test, using the Rasch model. This study also aimed to test the hypothesis related to the item difficulty levels and to search for validity evidences for the instruments investigating if there are differences between male and female performance. Two hundred and seventeen college students, male and female, with average age of 25 years, participated in the study. Results indicated that the tests fit the Rasch model, presented adequate reliability index and did not present differential item functioning (DIF). The expected difficulty order of item categories from the individual subtest as well as a large correlation between the pairs expected difficulty order and the pairs obtained order were found. Women presented significantly higher performance than men and it is not due to DIF.(AU)

A Rasch analysis of the harm reduction self-efficacy questionnaire in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: A high degree of self-efficacy is required from drug users if they are to adopt long-term abstinence-maintaining or harm-reducing behaviors. Our objective was to analyze the psychometric quality of the Harm Reduction Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (HRSEQ) with the Rating Scale Model (RSM), an extension of the Rasch Model for polytomous items. METHODS: Participants were 419 drug dependents from both harm reduction low threshold methadone program and therapeutic community programs in Portugal (84.5% male). RESULTS: Indicate that the original 11-category response system did not work adequately in any of the HRSEQ situations (Withdrawal, Negative emotions and Social pressure). There was no gender-related or group-related DIF and thus the findings of neither group nor gender-related difference in harm reduction self-efficacy cannot be plausibly attributed to that technical problem. CONCLUSIONS: After recoding the rating scales by collapsing the eleven categories into four, the HRSEQ scores show good model fit and psychometric adequacy.