Causal Rasch Models

Frontiers in Psychology: Quantitative Psychology and Measurement, 4(536), 1-14 [doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00536].

14 Pages Posted: 20 Oct 2013

See all articles by A. Jackson Stenner

A. Jackson Stenner

MetaMetrics, Inc.

William P. Fisher

University of California, Berkeley - BEAR Center

Mark Harald Stone

Aurora University - Department of Psychology

Donald Burdick

MetaMetrics, Inc.

Date Written: August 23, 2013

Abstract

Rasch’s unidimensional models for measurement show how to connect object measures (e.g., reader abilities), measurement mechanisms (e.g., machine-generated cloze reading items), and observational outcomes (e.g., counts correct on reading instruments). Substantive theory shows what interventions or manipulations to the measurement mechanism can be traded off against a change to the object measure to hold the observed outcome constant. A Rasch model integrated with a substantive theory dictates the form and substance of permissible interventions. Rasch analysis, absent construct theory and an associated specification equation, is a black box in which understanding may be more illusory than not. Finally, the quantitative hypothesis can be tested by comparing theory-based trade-off relations with observed trade-off relations. Only quantitative variables (as measured) support such trade-offs. Note that to test the quantitative hypothesis requires more than manipulation of the algebraic equivalencies in the Rasch model or descriptively fitting data to the model. A causal Rasch model involves experimental intervention/manipulation on either reader ability or text complexity or a conjoint intervention on both simultaneously to yield a successful prediction of the resultant observed outcome (count correct). We conjecture that when this type of manipulation is introduced for individual reader-text encounters and model predictions are consistent with observations, the quantitative hypothesis is sustained.

Keywords: Rasch models, causality, prediction, measurement, reading theory, quantification, educational assessment

Suggested Citation

Stenner, A. Jackson and Fisher, William P. and Stone, Mark Harald and Burdick, Donald, Causal Rasch Models (August 23, 2013). Frontiers in Psychology: Quantitative Psychology and Measurement, 4(536), 1-14 [doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00536]., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2341778

A. Jackson Stenner (Contact Author)

MetaMetrics, Inc. ( email )

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Suite 120
Durham, NC 27713
United States

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William P. Fisher

University of California, Berkeley - BEAR Center ( email )

Berkeley, CA 94704
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.LivingCapitalMetrics.com

Mark Harald Stone

Aurora University - Department of Psychology ( email )

Aurora, IL 60506
United States

Donald Burdick

MetaMetrics, Inc. ( email )

1000 Park Forty Plaza Drive
Suite 120
Durham, NC 27713
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.lexile.com

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