An Iterative Method for Empirically-Based Q-Matrix Validation

Year 2018, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 248 - 262, 19.05.2018

Ragip Terzi , Jimmy De La Torre

https://doi.org/10.21449/ijate.407193

Cited By: 8

Abstract

In cognitive diagnosis modeling, the attributes required for each item are specified in the Q-matrix. The traditional way of constructing a Q-matrix based on expert opinion is inherently subjective, consequently resulting in serious validity concerns. The current study proposes a new validation method under the deterministic inputs, noisy “and” gate (DINA) model to empirically validate attribute specifications in the Q-matrix. In particular, an iterative procedure with a modified version of the sequential search algorithm is introduced. Simulation studies are conducted to compare the proposed method with existing parametric and nonparametric methods. Results show that the new method outperforms the other methods across the board. Finally, the method is applied to real data using fraction-subtraction data.

Keywords

Cognitive diagnosis model, Q-matrix validation, DINA, sequential search algorithm

An Iterative Method for Empirically-Based Q-Matrix Validation

Abstract

In cognitive diagnosis modeling, the attributes
required for each item are specified in the Q-matrix. The traditional way of
constructing a Q-matrix based on expert opinion is inherently subjective,
consequently resulting in serious validity concerns. The current study proposes
a new validation method under the deterministic inputs, noisy “and” gate (DINA)
model to empirically validate attribute specifications in the Q-matrix. In
particular, an iterative procedure with a modified version of the sequential
search algorithm is introduced. Simulation studies are conducted to compare the
proposed method with existing parametric and nonparametric methods. Results
show that the new method outperforms the other methods across the board.
Finally, the method is applied to real data using fraction-subtraction data.

Keywords

Cognitive diagnosis model, Q-matrix validation, DINA, sequential search algorithm

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