ForceChoice

Forced-Choice Modeling Based on Item Response Theory and Cognitive Diagnostic Models

Fits, simulates, and evaluates forced-choice and traditional item response theory (IRT) models for noncognitive assessment. Eight model families are supported, spanning dominance (multidimensional IRT (MIRT) 1PL--4PL; multidimensional generalized partial credit model (MGPCM)), ideal-point unfolding (multidimensional generalized graded unfolding model (MGGUM)), and forced-choice designs (forced-choice multidimensional IRT (FCMIRT), forced-choice generalized graded unfolding model (FCGGUM), Thurstonian IRT (TIRT), forced-choice diagnostic classification model (FCDCM), forced-choice generalized deterministic inputs, noisy "and" gate model (FCGDINA)) that mitigate response biases such as acquiescence and social desirability. Core estimation backends include full Bayesian inference via Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (Stan) and a fast improved stochastic expectation-maximization (iStEM) algorithm suitable for large-scale data; FCGDINA also provides a deterministic expectation-maximization (EM) estimator. Comprehensive model evaluation uses the limited-information M2 family of goodness-of-fit statistics (Maydeu-Olivares and Joe, 2005 <doi:10.1198/016214504000002069>; 2006 <doi:10.1007/s11336-005-1295-9>) together with root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMSR).

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