Introduction to IRT/Rasch Measurement Using Winsteps

March 27-28, 2008, Thursday-Friday. Chicago IL

Ken Conrad

Barth Riley

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Kendon J. Conrad, PhD, Professor of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health (MC 923), University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL, 60612-4394. Tel.: 312-996-3185, Fax: 312-996-5356, kjconrad@uic.edu

Barth Riley, PhD, Research Scientist, Chestnut Health Systems, Bloomington, IL and Research Assistant Professor, Disability and Human Development, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago

Abstract
Social scientists have great need for the development of valid measures, e.g., of the quantity and quality of health services and of the outcomes of those services. Many researchers are frustrated when existing instruments are not well tailored to the task, since they then cannot expect sensitive, accurate, or valid findings. This workshop presents the theory and practice of classical test theory, the traditional approach. It then provides an overview of "modern" measurement as practiced using item response theory with a focus on Rasch measurement. Rasch analysis provides the social sciences with the kind of measurement that characterizes measurement in the natural sciences. Since item response theory focuses on the items and the persons rather than the test score, the synthesis of quantitative analysis with qualitative issues is experienced in a way that is rare in social science. Ultimately, Rasch measurement can facilitate more efficient, reliable, and valid assessment while improving privacy and convenience to users. The demonstration is useful for anyone who wants to understand the role of modern measurement in research.,/p>

Attendees will learn:
* Differences between Classical Test Theory and Rasch Measurement
* Why and how Rasch seeks to create linear, interval measures
* The inner workings of the Rasch model
* How to run Winsteps analyses
* Interpretation of Rasch/Winsteps output

Instructors will send a couple of readings and data sets in preparation.

Agenda: Day 1. Theory and Application
Please bring your own lap-top computer, running Windows
Morning. 8:00am Space available for setting up laptops. Coffee, donuts and fruit served.
9:00. Power-point presentation on classical test theory compared to Rasch, includes history and introduction to the Rasch model.
11:00. Break
11:15-noon. Discussion of an application of Rasch analysis in the measurement of posttraumatic stress disorder with interpretation of Rasch/Winsteps output.
Noon. Lunch on your own. Good restaurants within a block, including in the same building.
Afternoon.
1:15. Guidance through a Rasch analysis starting with an SPSS file and using Winsteps software, more interpretation of output.
2:15. Practice using Winsteps/Ministep software in analyzing "Liking for Science" data that is included with the software.
3:00. Break
3:15-4:30. Participants will be given an SPSS data file and will write their own control files and run them on the sample data with hands-on help from instructors.

Day 2. Hands-on Analysis, Practice, Discussion
Please bring your own laptop computer and a data set (or you can request one from instructors). Also bring 20 copies of the measure on which you have your data.
Morning. 8:00am Space available for setting up laptops Coffee, donuts and fruit served.
9:00-11:45. The instructors will work with each participant individually to write a Winsteps control file for their data. When everyone has successfully run Winsteps on their data, students will present their Winsteps results, and an instructor will help them to interpret Winsteps output. There will be lots of opportunity for questions and discussion.
11:45-1:00. Lunch on your own. Good restaurants within a block, including in the same building.
Afternoon.
1:00-4:00. In the afternoon we will continue student presentations, Q&A, and discussions. By the end of the day, all students should have had the opportunity to present their findings and discuss them with the instructors and other students. At the end of the day, all participants should have a working familiarity with Rasch concepts, running the Winsteps program, and interpreting Winsteps output.

Next day.
The instructors will be available for individual or group consultation after the workshop at a special workshop rate. Consultation may be arranged individually before and/or after the workshop. For details and appointments, please contact by email at the addresses given above.

Presenters
Dr. Ken Conrad has taught the "Measurement Theory and Application" course in the School of Public Health at UIC since 1996. He was recently editor, with Everett Smith, of "Applications of Rasch Analysis in Health Care," a supplement to Medical Care. He has published measurement papers in the Journal of Applied Measurement, Mental Health Services Research, Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, and others.

Dr. Barth Riley has published measurement articles in the Journal of Applied Measurement, Disability and Rehabiliation, the American Journal of Health Promotion and others. He is PI on one of the few NIH funded projects developing a computerized adaptive test, A Dynamic Disability-Specific Physical Activity Scale.

Place
School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60612, Public Health Building Room 932.

Workshop fee and registration
The fee for the two-day workshop is $395.00. Academically-registered students, UIC faculty and staff, $250.00
To reserve a place, pay in advance by credit card at SWREG.
The seminar fee includes use of a time-limited version of Winsteps.

Accommodations

Guest Housing
The University of Illinois at Chicago is proud to offer a limited number of accommodations for guests during their stay at UIC. Seven small apartments are available on the west side of campus in the Single Student Residence and are geared to meet the needs of a variety of visitors.

Our seven guest housing units are furnished efficiency apartments - with kitchens, bathrooms and a once-a-week maid and linen service. (Phone service is limited to on-campus calls, so guests are encouraged to bring their own cell phones.) These units are located on the 1st & 2nd floors of our graduate residence hall. SSR is a 16-story apartment-style building which houses about 575 men and women. The guest apartments are intended to offer short-term housing (maximum of one-month) to guests who prefer to be on-campus during their stay. It's about four blocks from the site of the workshop.

Single Student Residence Hall (SSR) www.housing.uic.edu
Check-In at West Area Residence Life Office
1933 W.Polk Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612

Hotels
Web sites and phone numbers for three hotels that are closest to the School of Public Health:

Marriott Chicago Downtown Medical District
625 South Ashland, Chicago, Illinois, USA
1-800-868-9218
This is the closest, one block, and best. Most expensive.

Crowne Plaza Hotel
Crowne Plaza Hotel Chicago-Metro, (312) 602-2199, (312) 829-5000, 733 W Madison St,Chicago, IL 60661
about 2 miles away

Chicago Holiday Inn and Suites
Tel: 312.951.9100, 800.695.8284
Not too far, but too far to walk. Moderately expensive.

Chicago Hotel Web Sites:
Downtown Chicago Hotels
Hosted and un-hosted accommodations in downtown Chicago

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