Local homogeneity in latent trait models. A characterization of the homogeneous monotone IRT model (Q1309413)

The authors consider latent trait models that have the following four properties: (1) unidimensionality, (2) local independence, (3) monotonity, (4) local homogeneity. In the case of binary items assumptions (1)--(4) are called the homogeneous monotone item response theory (IRT) model. It is shown that the property (4) is equivalent to subpopulation invariance of the model. This condition is studied for the monotone IRT model [\textit{P. W. Holland}, ibid. 55, 577-601 (1990; Zbl 0736.62094)]. The main result is the following characterization theorem: The homogeneous monotone IRT model holds for a finite or countable pool of binary items if and only if the pool is experimentally independent and pairwise nonnegative association holds in every positive subpopulation. In the conclusion the authors discuss a property of local homogeneity for different situations.