Asymptotic Variance of Linking Coefficient Estimators for Polytomous IRT Models

In item response theory (IRT), when two groups from different populations take two separate tests, there is a need to link the two ability scales so that the item parameters of the tests are comparable across the groups. To link the two scales, information from common items are utilized to estimate linking coefficients which place the item parameters on the same scale. For polytomous IRT models, the Haebara and Stocking–Lord methods for estimating the linking coefficients have commonly been recommended. However, estimates of the variance for these methods are not available in the literature. In this article, the asymptotic variance of linking coefficients for polytomous IRT models with the Haebara and Stocking–Lord methods are derived. The results are presented in a general form and specific results are given for the generalized partial credit model. Simulations which investigate the accuracy of the derivations under various settings of model complexity and sample size are provided, showing that the derivations are accurate under the conditions considered and that the Haebara and Stocking–Lord methods have superior performance to several moment methods with performance close to that of concurrent calibration.

MANIFOLD-SPLITTING REGULARIZATION, SELF-LINKING, TWISTING, WRITHING NUMBERS OF SPACE-TIME RIBBONS and POLYAKOV’S PROOF OF FERMI-BOSE TRANSMUTATIONS

We present an alternative formulation of Polyakov’s regularization of Gauss’ integral formula for a single closed Feynman path. A key element in his proof of the D=3 fermi-bose transmutations induced by topological gauge fields, this regularization is linked here with the existence and properties of a nontrivial topological invariant for a closed space ribbon. This self-linking coefficient, an integer, is the sum of two differential characteristics of the ribbon, its twisting and writhing numbers. These invariants form the basis for a physical interpretation of our regularization. Their connection to Polyakov’s spinorization is discussed. We further generalize our construction to the self-linking, twisting and writhing of higher dimensional d=n (odd) submanifolds in D=(2n+1) space-time. Our comprehensive analysis intends to supplement Polyakov’s work as it identifies a natural path to its higher dimensional mathematical and physical generalizations. Combining the theorems of White on self-linking of manifolds and of Adams on nontrivial Hopf fibre bundles and the four composition-division algebras, we argue that besides Polyakov’s case where (d, D)=(1, 3) tied to complex numbers, the potentially interesting extensions are two chiral models with (d, D)=(3, 7) and (7, 15) uniquely linked to quaternions and octonions. In Memoriam Richard P. Feynman