Publication: Journal of Economic Education
Volume: Volume 28, No. 2
Issue: Spring 1997
Pages: 155-171
Author(s): William B. Walstad (University of Nebraska) and Denise Robson (University of Wisconsin)
Address (Principal Author):William B. Walstad, Professor of Economics and Director, National Center for Research in Economic Education, Department of Economics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0402, 402-472-2333, fax: 402-472-9700
Internet Address (Principal Author):wwalstad@unlinfo.unl.edu
Title: Differential Item Functioning and Male-Female Differences on Multiple-Choice Tests in Economics
Abstract: Item Response Theory (IRT) methods are applied to data from the national norming of the Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) to identify test questions with large male-female differences after controlling for economic ability. After removing these questions from the test, the subsequent regression analysis shows a significant decrease in the magnitude of the gender difference, although still present.