The Place of the Bifactor Model in Confirmatory Factor Analysis Investigations Into Construct Dimensionality in Language Testing.

ABSTRACT: For practical and theoretical purposes, tests of second language (L2) ability commonly aim to measure one overarching trait, general language ability, while simultaneously measuring multiple sub-traits (e.g., reading, grammar, etc.). This tension between measuring uni- and multi-dimensional constructs concurrently can generate vociferous debate about the precise nature of the construct(s) being measured. In L2 testing, this tension is often addressed through the use of a higher-order factor model wherein multidimensional traits representing subskills load on a general ability latent trait. However, an alternative modeling framework that is currently uncommon in language testing, but gaining traction in other disciplines, is the bifactor model. The bifactor model hypothesizes a general fact

SUBMITTER: Dunn KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7379375 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature