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<!DOCTYPE pkgmetadata SYSTEM "http://www.gentoo.org/dtd/metadata.dtd">
<pkgmetadata>
	<longdescription>
		Testlet Item Response Theory // Implementation of Testlet and
		Item Response Theory. A light-version yet comprehensive and
		streamlined framework for psychometric analysis using
		unidimensional and multidimensional Item Response Theory (IRT;
		Baker  Kim (2004) doi:10.1201/9781482276725) and Testlet
		Response Theory (TRT; Wainer et al., (2007)
		doi:10.1017/CBO9780511618765). Designed for researchers, this
		package supports the estimation of item and person parameters
		for a wide variety of models, including binary (i.e., Rasch,
		2-Parameter Logistic, 3-Parameter Logistic) and polytomous
		(Partial Credit Model, Generalized Partial Credit Model, Graded
		Response Model) formats. It also supports the estimation of
		Testlet models (Rasch Testlet, 2-Parameter Logistic Testlet,
		3-Parameter Logistic Testlet, Bifactor, Partial Credit Model
		Testlet, Graded Response), allowing users to account for local
		item dependence in bundled items. A key feature is the
		specialized support for combination use and joint estimation of
		item response model and testlet response model in one
		calibration. Beyond standard estimation via Marginal Maximum
		Likelihood with Expectation-Maximization (EM) or Joint Maximum
		Likelihood, the package also offers Bayesian estimation using
		priors with maximum a posteriori (MAP) method for
		unidimensional item response theory models. It also provides
		functions for scale linking and equating (Mean-Mean, Mean-
		Sigma, Stocking-Lord) to ensure comparability across mixed-
		format test forms. It also facilitates fixed-parameter
		calibration, enabling users to estimate person abilities with
		known item parameters or vice versa, which is essential for
		pre-equating studies and item bank maintenance. Comprehensive
		data simulation functions are included to generate synthetic
		datasets with complex structures, including mixed-model blocks
		and specific testlet effects, aiding in methodological research
		and study design validation. Researchers can try multiple
		simulation situations.
	</longdescription>
</pkgmetadata>
