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Title
Black-White differences in an English vocabulary test using an online Prolific sample
Abstract
We sought to examine the Black-White difference in performance on a new English vocabulary test based on 225 items. Using data from the norm sample (N=499, Prolific) we found a gap of d = 0.74. Adjusting for test reliability, this was d = 0.75 (reliability = .977). We examined measurement invariance using Differential Item Functioning (DIF). Biased items are flagged based on p-value < .05. We found 27 biased items which decreased to 1 biased item after Bonferroni correction. An application of Jensen’s Method of Correlated Vectors (MCV) to the item data showed a positive relationship between the Black-White difference and the items’ factor loading, with a predicted gap of d = 0.76 at loading=1. Findings were in line with prior research of minimal bias in vocabulary tests, and a g-related difference.
Keywords
cognitive ability,
method of correlated vectors,
vocabulary,
differential item functioning,
Test Bias,
Spearman’s Hypothesis,
Black-White gap,
Prolific
Supplemental materials link
https://osf.io/t2j4s/
