Principais métodos para detectar o funcionamento diferencial do item (DIF) no âmbito da avaliação educacional

Abstract

This paper descrubes the main methods used in the field of educational assessment to detect the differential functioning of the item (DIF). Among others the article describes: Area between the ICC's. Comparison of Probabilities, Comparison of Parameter Items, Lord's Chi-squsre, Scheuneman's Chi-square, Pearson's or Total Chisquare, Mantel-Haenszel Method, Logistic Regression, Standardized Method and, finally the Logistic Interactive Method. The paper presents the mathematical basis, the main advantages as well as the limitations of the aforementioned. Finally, the text emphasizes the presence of the DIF in psychotogics and educational tests as a problem for assuming standard or uniform conditions for the application of tests something which avoids injustice and the lack of impartiality in the assessment process.