TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychometric properties of the wisconsin schizotypy scales in an undergraduate sample
T2 - Classical test theory, item response theory, and differential item functioning
AU - Winterstein, Beate P.
AU - Ackerman, Terry A.
AU - Silvia, Paul J.
AU - Kwapil, Thomas R.
PY - 2011/12/1
Y1 - 2011/12/1
N2 - The Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales are widely used for assessing schizotypy in nonclinical and clinical samples. However, they were developed using classical test theory (CTT) and have not had their psychometric properties examined with more sophisticated measurement models. The present study employed item response theory (IRT) as well as traditional CTT to examine psychometric properties of four of the schizotypy scales on the item and scale level, using a large sample of undergraduate students (n=6,137). In addition, we investigated differential item functioning (DIF) for sex and ethnicity. The analyses revealed many strengths of the four scales, but some items had low discrimination values and many items had high DIF. The results offer useful guidance for applied users and for future development of these scales.
AB - The Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales are widely used for assessing schizotypy in nonclinical and clinical samples. However, they were developed using classical test theory (CTT) and have not had their psychometric properties examined with more sophisticated measurement models. The present study employed item response theory (IRT) as well as traditional CTT to examine psychometric properties of four of the schizotypy scales on the item and scale level, using a large sample of undergraduate students (n=6,137). In addition, we investigated differential item functioning (DIF) for sex and ethnicity. The analyses revealed many strengths of the four scales, but some items had low discrimination values and many items had high DIF. The results offer useful guidance for applied users and for future development of these scales.
KW - Classical test theory
KW - Differential item Functioning
KW - Item response theory
KW - Schizotypy
KW - Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales
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U2 - 10.1007/s10862-011-9242-9
DO - 10.1007/s10862-011-9242-9
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:82955162788
VL - 33
SP - 480
EP - 490
JO - Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
JF - Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
SN - 0882-2689
IS - 4
ER -