An overview of software for assessing test dimensionality

Abstract

In recent years, there is substantial demand for multidimensional data sets and their various test applications (such as equating test scores, subtest score reporting, differential item functioning). In this study, some popular software packages (Mplus, NOHARM, TESTFACT, IRTPRO, flexMIRT, BMIRT, DIMTEST, DETECT, CCPROX/HAC, Velicer's MAP test and Parallel Analysis) which are used for analyzing test dimensionality and used for various test applications with multidimensional data sets, was investigated. The software packages was investigated in terms of their availability, their capabilities of data sets, models, estimation techniques. The software packages' dimensionality analyses approach (confirmatory, exploratory) was investigated. Also assessing of the indices which can be gained from software packages' outputs was investigated. Finally the simulation studies in which the packages are compared in terms of their various properties was reviewed.