The goal of this guide and manual is to provide a practical and brief
overview of the theory on computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and
multistage testing (MST) and to illustrate the methodologies and
applications using R open source language and several data examples.
Implementation relies on the R packages catR and mstR that have been
already or are being developed by the first author (with the team) and
that include some of the newest research algorithms on the topic.
The book covers many topics along with the R-code: the basics of R,
theoretical overview of CAT and MST, CAT designs, CAT assembly
methodologies, CAT simulations, catR package, CAT applications, MST
designs, IRT-based MST methodologies, tree-based MST methodologies, mstR
package, and MST applications. CAT has been used in many large-scale
assessments over recent decades, and MST has become very popular in
recent years. R open source language also has become one of the most
useful tools for applications in almost all fields, including business
and education.
Though very useful and popular, R is a difficult language to learn, with
a steep learning curve. Given the obvious need for but with the complex
implementation of CAT and MST, it is very difficult for users to
simulate or implement CAT and MST. Until this manual, there has been no
book for users to design and use CAT and MST easily and without expense;
i.e., by using the free R software. All examples and illustrations are
generated using predefined scripts in R language, available for free
download from the book's website.
