TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating the Mathematics Interest Inventory Using Item Response Theory
T2 - Differential Item Functioning Across Gender and Ethnicities
AU - Wei, Tianlan
AU - Chesnut, Steven R.
AU - Barnard-Brak, Lucy
AU - Stevens, Tara
AU - Olivárez, Arturo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 SAGE Publications.
PY - 2014/12/26
Y1 - 2014/12/26
N2 - As the United States has begun to lag behind other developed countries in performance on mathematics and science, researchers have sought to explain this with theories of teaching, knowledge, and motivation. We expand this examination by further analyzing a measure of interest that has been linked to student performance in mathematics and intention to enroll in advanced mathematics classes. Using Item Response Theory (IRT), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Mathematics Interest Inventory (MII). Six hundred sixty-six students (47.6% Hispanic, 48.2% Male) formed the sample. Results revealed minimal differential item functioning (DIF) between genders. Substantial DIF emerged between Hispanic and White students. Implications of the differential functioning and the measurement of interest in mathematics are discussed.
AB - As the United States has begun to lag behind other developed countries in performance on mathematics and science, researchers have sought to explain this with theories of teaching, knowledge, and motivation. We expand this examination by further analyzing a measure of interest that has been linked to student performance in mathematics and intention to enroll in advanced mathematics classes. Using Item Response Theory (IRT), the purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Mathematics Interest Inventory (MII). Six hundred sixty-six students (47.6% Hispanic, 48.2% Male) formed the sample. Results revealed minimal differential item functioning (DIF) between genders. Substantial DIF emerged between Hispanic and White students. Implications of the differential functioning and the measurement of interest in mathematics are discussed.
KW - Hispanic
KW - Item Response Theory
KW - differential item functioning
KW - ethnic difference
KW - gender difference
KW - mathematics interest
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84921460133&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0734282914540449
DO - 10.1177/0734282914540449
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84921460133
VL - 32
SP - 747
EP - 761
JO - Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
JF - Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
SN - 0734-2829
IS - 8
ER -