Using item analysis to facilitate interpretation of empirical findings

Researchers often present and interpret empirical findings with reference t o hypothetical constructs and diagnostic labels. Such interpretations commo nly are based upon "summary" scores obtained through interview, self-report , or rating-scale assessment instruments. Although there are advantages ass ociated with communicating empirical findings through analysis with summary scores, there also are weaknesses that may limit the interpretability of e mpirical findings and impede theory development. We discuss the importance of item analysis as a tool that may guide presentation of empirical finding s, and we describe how it may be used to minimize these limitations of asse ssment, facilitate data interpretation, and increase the opportunity for th eoretical advances. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. AII rights reserved.