In lieu of anything better

books:

	• Applying the Rasch Model: Fundamental Measurement in the Human Sciences, Second Edition Trevor G. Bond, Christine M. Fox Lawrence Erlbaum, 2007 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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In lieu of anything better

This is a reasonable introduction to some aspects of Rasch modeling that could stand considerable improvement come, as almost certainly there will, a third edition.
Reading the book is an annoyance because of the very large numbers of copy editing mistakes. For example, the text in the first paragraph on page 249 makes reference to information in a figure that is clearly not in the figure referred to. The table on page 245 is printed the wrong way, with tabs between decimal points and the figures on the right, making it seem as if, for example, the item estimate for the item in question is an absurd 33.0 or even 330. The text is full of such mistakes. Practically speaking, one might argue that such printing errors are actually useful to those who wish to understand the text, inasmuch as the ability to notice that such mistakes are mistakes functions as a check on the depth of one's understanding. On the other hand, I fear to think what those with no background in Rasch models would make of the page 245 table.
Rasch models are (at least in the circles I move in) notorious for the difficulty of explanitory texts, this despite the simplicity of the concepts involved. (Rasch models in testing, for example, are much simplier than those for traditional true-score treatments of testing, but the true-score tradition abounds with clear writers who aim for and hit audiences of novices.)
This book does a little to make Rasch model concepts more clear to less-initiated readers, but the tone of the text often flips between clarity, with all new concepts explained clearly, and academic prose for the initiated only (as in the discussion of residuals interpretation). Likewise, though the text includes much data from actual tests or research projects, there is a lack of any actual items or item stems from the tests or research from which the examples are drawn. The invented examples here (e.g., with Chapter 7, on rating scale design) are poorly thought out and do not betray familiarity with relevant literature.
The organization of the text could be improved as well. Although the included glossory is an aid, keeping topic for the most part in one place in the book would make it much more useful for beginners: information on fit interpretation, for example, is spread throughout the text, with information that would illuminate introductory writing about fit being delayed until Chapter 12.
Criticisms aside, however, "Applying the Rasch Model" is fun to read (at least for those somewhat familiar with probabilistic models in academia), and I do not know of a better introduction in print. On the other hand, I have not kept up with the literature of late, so perhaps there is something better than this.

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best intro guide Rasch

This book is used for graduate students at my school and is a good first introduction to Rasch analysis.

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What's new in 2nd Edition

2nd Ed. = 314 pages + (refs and front material); 1st Ed.= 234 pages + (refs and front material).
Updated throughout, highlights of the Second Edition include:
Additional 80 pages of text; More than 25% of the rest rewritten.
A new CD that features Bond&FoxSteps, a full-size introductory version of the latest Winsteps program; all the data files for the book's examples, preprogrammed to run using Winsteps with built-in .pdfs of step by step tutorials for each B&F example. Minifac, data set and Facets example.
A new chapter (#5) on invariance that highlights the parallels between physical and human science measurement.
A new empirical example demonstrates the Many Facets Rasch model.
An increased focus on issues related to unidimensionality, multidimensionality, and Rasch factor analysis of residuals.
New examples using thermometry and the measurement of sport performances, and the growing use of student satisfaction data in university and college reviews.
A new appendix on analyzing data to help those new to Rasch analysis get started.
More explanation of the key concepts and of item characteristic curves make the text easier to follow.

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Written in an accessible style, this book facilitates a deep understanding of the Rasch model. Authors Bond and Fox review the crucial properties of the Rasch model and demonstrate its use with a wide range of examples including the measurement of educational achievement, human development, attitudes, and medical rehabilitation. A glossary and numerous illustrations further aid the reader's understanding. The authors demonstrate how to apply Rasch analysis and prepare readers to perform their own analyses and interpret the results.

Updated throughout, highlights of the Second Edition include:

a new CD that features an introductory version of the latest Winsteps program and the data files for the book?s examples, preprogrammed to run using Winsteps;a new chapter on invariance that highlights the parallels between physical and human science measurement;a new appendix on analyzing data to help those new to Rasch analysis;more explanation of the key concepts and item characteristic curves;a new empirical example with data sets demonstrates the many facets of the Rasch model and other new examples; and an increased focus on issues related to unidimensionality, multidimensionality, and the Rasch factor analysis of residuals.

Applying the Rasch Model is intended for researchers and practitioners in psychology, especially developmental psychologists, education, health care, medical rehabilitation, business, government, and those interested in measuring attitude, ability, and/or performance. The book is an excellent text for use in courses on advanced research methods, measurement, or quantitative analysis. Significant knowledge of statistics is not required.

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