Empirical Comparison of Selected Item Bias Detection Procedures With Bias Manipulation

Biased test items were intentionally imbedded within a set of test items, and the resulting instrument was administered to large samples of blacks and whites. Three popular item bias detection procedures were then applied to the data: (1) the three‐parameter item characteristic curve procedure, (2) the chi‐square method, and (3) the transformed item difficulty approach. The three‐parameter item characteristic curve procedure proved most effective at detecting the intentionally biased test items; and the chi‐square method was viewed as the best alternative. The transformed item difficulty approach has certain limitations yet represents a practical alternative if sample size, lack of computer facilities, or the like preclude the use of the other two procedures.