Differential Item Functioning In Biodata: Opportunity Access As an Explanation of Gender- and Race-Related DIF
By Imus, A., Schmitt, N., Kim, B., Oswald, F. L., Merritt, S., & Friede, A.

The degree to which DIF (differential item functioning) in biographical data items referencing academically relevant background, experiences, and interests was related to differences in judgments about access to these experiences by members of different gender and race subgroups was examined. DIF in the location parameter was significantly related (r = -.51, p < .01) to gender differences in perceived accessibility to experience. No significant relationships with accessibility were observed for DIF in the slope parameter across gender groups or for the slope and location parameters associated with DIF across Black and White groups. Practical implications for use of biodata and theoretical implications for DIF research are discussed.

Citation
Imus, A., Schmitt, N., Kim, B., Oswald, F. L., Merritt, S., & Friede, A. (2011). Differential item functioning in biodata: Opportunity access as an explanation of gender- and race-related DIF. Applied Measurement in Education.

Neal Schmitt is Senior Vice President of Grosse Pointe Park-based Polaris Assessment Systems, Inc. and can be reached at (517) 355-9563 or nealschmitt@polaristest.com.