Applying Rasch model analysis in the development of the Cantonese tone identification test (CANTIT)

Objective: Applying Rasch analysis to evaluate the internal structure of a lexical tone perception test known as the Cantonese Tone Identification Test (CANTIT). Design: A 75-item pool (CANTIT-75) with pictures and sound tracks was developed. Respondents were required to make a four-alternative forced choice on each item. A short version of 30 items (CANTIT-30) was developed based on fit statistics, difficulty estimates, and content evaluation. Internal structure was evaluated by fit statistics and Rasch Factor Analysis (RFA). Study Sample: 200 children with normal hearing and 141 children with hearing impairment were recruited. Results: For CANTIT-75, all infit and 97% of outfit values were < 2.0. RFA revealed 40.1% of total variance was explained by the Rasch measure. The first residual component explained 2.5% of total variance in an eigenvalue of 3.1. For CANTIT-30, all infit and outfit values were < 2.0. The Rasch measure explained 38.8% of total variance, the first residual component explained 3.9% of total variance in an eigenvalue of 1.9. Conclusions: The Rasch model provides excellent guidance for the development of short forms. Both CANTIT-75 and CANTIT-30 possess satisfactory internal structure as a construct validity evidence in measuring the lexical tone identification ability of the Cantonese speakers. Copyright © 2017 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.