Item Response Theory

Foundations for Psychologists and Social Scientists

By: Susan E. Embretson, Steven P. Reise

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eText | 4 November 2025 | Edition Number 2

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Published: 5th September 2013

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This book provides an intuitive and accessible introduction to item response theory (IRT), making complex psychometric concepts easier to grasp through graphical displays and familiar analogies. It bridges theory and application, helping readers interpret and implement IRT models effectively to improve measurement quality in psychology and the social sciences. Covering both foundational and advanced topics, it offers a clear path for understanding contemporary IRT methods and their relevance in research and practice.

With a strong focus on applications, this book explains contemporary IRT models and estimation methods, placing special emphasis on polytomous IRT models, which are widely used in psychological assessments and rating scales. Applications in various research areas are explored in detail, alongside a dedicated chapter on available software to support implementation. The final section delves into advanced IRT topics, including multidimensional models and explanatory approaches for hypothesis testing, making it a valuable resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of psychometric analysis.

This book is essential for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners in psychology, education, and the social sciences. It is useful for researchers who are implementing or developing person assessments, as well as for professionals in clinical, industrial, counseling, and behavioral medicine fields who need a strong grasp of contemporary psychometric foundations. Professors teaching measurement courses will find it an ideal core textbook, offering a structured and engaging introduction to IRT and its applications in test development and analysis.