Ordinal Item Response Theory Models for the Evaluation of Heterogeneity in Attitudes

Ingrid Mauerer, University of Malaga

Co-authors: Gerhard Tutz, LMU Munich

Abstract: The contribution provides ordinal item response models to investigate heterogeneity in attitudes. In contrast to standard models, the approach accounts for covariate effects in studying two essential components of attitudes: direction and strength. An application to the evaluation of presidential candidate traits exemplifies the types of substantive insights that can be gained.