College Students Responding to Sexuality-Based Items: A Differential Test Function Analysis

Abstract

Surveys are often intended to collect data across a swath of individuals yet sometimes the items favor certain respondents over others. Differential test functioning (DTF) analysis helps us understand if there are underlying latent characteristics that may affect the way a group of individuals responds to items. This study sought to examine if differences existed in the responses to items pertaining to college students’ feeling safe and supported regarding their sexual orientation. Results indicate that there appears to be differences in an item for queer first year respondents, but no differences when looking at senior students. More research is needed to precisely understand which items are functioning differently.