DIF and DDF Detection by Non-Linear Regression Models.
The difNLR package contains method for detection of differential item functioning (DIF) based on non-linear regression. Both uniform and non-uniform DIF effects can be detected when considering one focal group. The method also allows to test the difference in guessing or inattention parameters between reference and focal group. DIF detection method is based either on likelihood-ratio test, F-test, or Wald’s test of a submodel. Package also offers methods for detection of differential distractor functioning (DDF) based on multinomial log-linear regression model and newly methods for DIF detection among ordinal data via adjacent category logit and cumulative logit regression models.
The easiest way to get difNLR package is to install it
from CRAN:
install.packages("difNLR")Or you can get the newest development version from GitHub:
# install.packages("devtools")
devtools::install_github("adelahladka/difNLR")Current version on CRAN is 1.5.0. The newest development version available on GitHub is 1.5.0.
To cite difNLR package in publications, please, use:
Hladka, A. & Martinkova, P. (2020). difNLR: Generalized logistic regression models for DIF and DDF detection. The R Journal, 12(1), 300–323, doi: 10.32614/RJ-2020-014.
Drabinova, A. & Martinkova, P. (2017). Detection of Differential Item Functioning with Nonlinear Regression: A Non-IRT Approach Accounting for Guessing. Journal of Educational Measurement, 54(4), 498–517, doi: 10.1111/jedm.12158.
To cite new estimation approaches provided in the
difNLR() function, please, use:
Hladka, A., Martinkova, P., & Brabec, M. (2024). New iterative algorithms for estimation of item functioning. Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics. Accepted, arXiv: 2302.12648
You can try some functionalities of the difNLR package
online using ShinyItemAnalysis
application and package and its DIF/Fairness section.
In case you find any bug or just need help with the
difNLR package, you can leave your message as an issue here
or directly contact us at hladka@cs.cas.cz