Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate differential item function (DIF) on the English subtest of the 1998 Korean National Entrance Exam for Colleges and Universities for examinees with different academic backgrounds (i.e., Humanities vs. Sciences) using the Item Response Theory (IRT) Likelihood Ratio (LR) approach. The English subtest consisted of a total of 55 items, which comprised the subscales of Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension. Data were fitted with a modified three parameter logistic IRT model, and DIF was detected using both the Mantel-Haenszel procedure and the IRT likelihood ratio approach. To evaluate a baseline estimate of DIF due to chance, the entire DIF detection procedure was repeated, with the sample randomly divided in half. The results of the study identified 18 DIF items with 28 DIF parameters. DIF magnitude for each studied item is also provided. Results of a preliminary content analysis are discussed in terms of the relationships between DIF directions and item content. Implications and recommendations for future research are also addressed.
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