title: A comparison of item response theory-based methods for examining differential item functioning in object naming test by language of assessment among older Latinos.
abstract: Object naming tests are commonly included in neuropsychological test batteries.Differential item functioning(DIF) in these tests due to cultural and language differences may compromise the validity of cognitive measures in diverse populations. We evaluated 26 object naming items for DIF due to Spanish and English language translations among Latinos (n=1,159), mean age of 70.5 years old (Standard Deviation (SD)±7.2), using the following fouritem response theory-based approaches:Mplus/Multiple Indicator, Multiple Causes(Mplus/MIMIC; Muthén & Muthén, 1998-2011),Item Response Theory Likelihood Ratio Differential Item Functioning(IRTLRDIF/MULTILOG; Thissen, 1991, 2001), difwithpar/Parscale (Crane, Gibbons, Jolley, & van Belle, 2006; Muraki & Bock, 2003), and Differential Functioning of Items and Tests/MULTILOG (DFIT/MULTILOG; Flowers, Oshima, & Raju, 1999; Thissen, 1991). Overall, there was moderate to near perfect agreement across methods. Fourteen items were found to exhibit DIF and 5 items observed consistently across all methods, which were more likely to be answered correctly by individuals tested in Spanish after controlling for overall ability.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife ; Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine ; Columbia (CALME) RCMAR.
authors.forename: Frances M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Heslin
authors.forename: Kala M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Cheng-Wu
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ocepek-Welikson
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kleinman
authors.forename: Leo S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Ron D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.forename: Anita L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mungas
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Jeanne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Teresi
keywords: Hispanic/Latinos; Item response theory; Spanish; differential item functioning; object naming test