Item Parameter Estimation Via Marginal Maximum Likelihood and an EM Algorithm: A Didactic

Michael R. Harwell, Frank B. Baker and Michael Zwarts

Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, 1988, vol. 13, issue 3, 243-271

Abstract: The Bock and Aitkin (1981) Marginal Maximum Likelihood/EM approach to item parameter estimation is an alternative to the classical joint maximum likelihood procedure of item response theory. Unfortunately , the complexity of the underlying mathematics and the terse nature of the existing literature has made understanding of the approach difficult. To make the approach accessible to a wider audience, the present didactic paper provides the essential mathematical details of a marginal maximum likelihood/EM solution and shows how it can be used to obtain consistent item parameter estimates. For pedagogical purposes, a short BASIC computer program is used to illustrate the underlying simplicity of the method.

Date: 1988
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jedbes:v:13:y:1988:i:3:p:243-271

DOI: 10.3102/10769986013003243

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