Rasch Analysis in the Human Sciences

Rasch Analysis in the Human Sciences helps individuals, both students and researchers, master the key concepts and resources needed to use Rasch techniques for analyzing data from assessments to measure variables such as abilities, attitudes, and personality traits. Upon completion of the text, readers will be able to confidently evaluate the strengths and weakness of existing instrumentation, compute linear person measures and item measures, interpret Wright Maps, utilize Rasch software, and understand what it means to measure in the Human Sciences.

Each of the 24 chapters presents a key concept using a mix of theory and application of user-friendly Rasch software. Chapters also include a beginning and ending dialogue between two typical researchers learning Rasch, "Formative Assessment Check Points," sample data files, an extensive set of application activities with answers, a one paragraph sample research article text integrating the chapter topic, quick-tips,and suggested readings.

Rasch Analysis in the Human Sciences will be an essential resource for anyone wishing to begin, or expand, their learning of Rasch measurement techniques, be it in the Health Sciences, Market Research, Education, or Psychology. 

• Rasch measurement
• item response theory
• measurement health sciences
• measurement in education
• measurement in psychology
• multifaceted data
• multiple-choice test
• partial credit
• psychometrics
• rasch analysis
• rasch ministeps
• rasch winsteps
• rating scale survey
• scale scores
• science education
• surveys
• tests

This book provides a practical guide to using Rasch modeling and will be a great resource for anyone interested in learning how to analyze assessment data with Rasch.

Cari Herrmann Abell, Ph.D.

Senior Research Associate

American Association for the Advancement of Science        Project 2061

Washington, D.C. U.S.A.

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Rasch Measurement in the Human Sciences represents a much needed, practical, and approachable guide to the use of Rasch methods and models within the field of education in general and in STEM fields most particularly. With a future ever more guided by data-driven decision-making, it is essential that our educators become more familiar with fundamental measurement concepts. Dr. Boone's new text provides readers with a powerful set of new skills, set within an accessible, easy to read framework.

Gregory Ethan Stone, Ph.D.

Professor of Educational Foundations and Leadership

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio USA

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For research in the Human Sciences it is absolutely necessary to know about the theoretical background and the applicability of Rasch analysis. Especially for improving teaching and learning we need a tool which is powerful enough not only to describe states but also to order them according to different criteria related to the learner. Bill Boone’s book leads educators as well as doctoral students to using Rasch as a model for measurement and profound interpretation of data and provides a profound and understandable introduction into a difficult topic.

Hans E. Fischer, Ph.D.

Prof. of Physics Education

Faculty of Physics

University Duisburg-Essen

Duisberg-Essen, Germany

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Dr. Boone has a long history of translating Rasch complexity into the understandable. This book will be invaluable to those in the social sciences who want to improve the quality of our science through improved measurement.

Cynthia W. Kelly, PhD

Prof. of Nursing
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama USA
Box 870358

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That the Rasch approach to measurement improves measurement and the resulting decisions is well known.  Needed is the spread of this measurement method to a broader audience.  Improved measurement of human knowledge and sentiments is greatly needed in many disciplines and wider application of the Rasch model would address this need.  A challenge is to make Rasch accessible to a broader audience.  Dr. Boone has more than met this challenge in this book.  Dr. Boone writes like a great teacher (which he is).  Without compromising the rigor of Rasch he teaches the reader to understand and apply the Rasch measurement model. 

Daniel McLinden, Ed.D.

Senior Director, Learning & Development

Assistant Professor, General & Community Pediatrics

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

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"As a graduate student with zero Rasch experience, this book was crucial to my understanding of the importance of psychometrics, especially Rasch analysis. It was easy to comprehend and provided extensive opportunities to practice and to check for understanding. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a basic introduction to Rasch analysis."

Jessican L. Overdorf

Graduate Student Miami University

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"In EVERY chapter the conversation introductions between Ted and Isabelle do a great job of introducing each chapter, and the formative assessments help readers track their understanding of chapter topics. This book can teach anyone how to use Rasch analysis and Wright Maps without a headache".

Kelsey Janning

Graduate Student Miami University

• Miami University, Oxfort, USA

  William J. Boone

• Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA

  John R. Staver

• Purdue University, Irving, USA

  Melissa S. Yale

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