Item Response Theory for Creativity Measurement

Item-response theory (IRT) represents a key advance in measurement theory. Yet it is largely absent from curricula textbooks and popular statistical software and often introduced through a subset of models. This Element intended for creativity and innovation researchers researchers-in-training and anyone interested in how individual creativity might be measured aims to provide 1) an overview of classical test theory (CTT) and its shortcomings in creativity measurement situations (e.g. fluency scores consensual assessment technique etc.); 2) an introduction to IRT and its core concepts using a broad view of IRT that notably sees CTT models as particular cases of IRT; 3) a practical strategic approach to IRT modeling; 4) example applications of this strategy from creativity research and the associated advantages; and 5) ideas for future work that could advance how IRT could better benefit creativity research as well as connections with other popular frameworks.