Michele Zimowski, Eiji Muraki, Robert J. Mislevy and R. Darrell Bock
For a user-friendly alternative to BILOG, with point-and-click interface (no command code) and modern output (RTF rather than ASCII text), please consider Xcalibre 4.
BILOG-MG-3 has all the functions of BILOG, plus Differential Item
Functioning (DIF), Item Parameter Drift, equivalent and non-equivalent groups equating,
vertical equating, two-stage testing, estimation of group means, standard deviations, and
latent distributions. Previously only available as DOS software, BILOG-MG has been
updated to the current Windows operating systems: 98, NT, 2000, ME, and XP. Extensive
online Help has been added, covering almost completely the newly edited book that
combines all four programs in one volume.
Annotated program input and output
can be found throughout the online Help system and the new manual.
A graphic module adds item characteristic curves, item information curves, and test
information curves to BILOG-MG.
The plots may be saved in the Windows Metafile format (WMF) and are then easily
included in applications such as MS Word.
Although the programs are
command driven (an analysis is specified by creating a command file with the
included editor), BILOG-MG features a dialog-box user interface to assist first-time
users or occasional users with writing such a command file.
BILOG-MG handles multiple groups, multiple subtests, and multiple test forms in one
analysis, and it includes a simplified forms specification. Both normal and empirical
latent distributions can be specified by the user. Bayes estimation of scale scores can
be done with a group-specific or global prior. It computes information curves and
statistics by form as well as by test. The user can perform similar computations for
any arbitrarily selected subset of items. The numerous examples include a folder with
all the original BILOG examples and their equivalent command files for BILOG-MG.
Some Features of BILOG-MG 3
- Graphical user interface
- Efficient analysis of binary items including multiple-choice or short-answer
items scored right, wrong, omitted, or not-presented
- Capable of large-scale production analysis, and handling of multiple groups
- Performs item analysis and scoring of any number of subtests or subscales
- Non-equivalent groups equating
- Vertical equating of test forms
- Differential item functioning (DIF)
- Detection and correction for parameter trends over time (DRIFT)
- Calibration and scoring of tests in two-stage testing procedures
- Estimation of latent ability or proficiency distributions
- Provision for items inserted in tests to estimate item statistics, but not included in calculation of examinee scores ("variant items")
- Item fit statistics
- Theoretical and empirical reliability
- Information curves and reliabilities for putative test forms
- Presentation quality IRT graphics, can be imported into Word, Access, etc.
- Detailed online HELP document
- Includes a PDF file of a complete user’s manual
System Requirements
Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000, XP
Non-Academic Licenses
The prices shown below are for academic research licenses only. If you are not on the staff of an academic institution (or a student) please use the link below to contact us for information on costs of non-academic licenses.
Non-Academic License Inquiry
IMPORTANT: This program is available only by download and is no longer published on CD by its developer (ASC is a distributor of this product). Purchasers will receive download instructions and developer information with their invoice. All questions or issues concerning delivery should then be addressed to the developer.
|