CONVERGE= select convergence criteria = Either

This selects which of LCONV= and RCONV= set the convergence criterion. See convergence considerations.

 

CONVERGE=L

LCONV= for "Logit change size" controls convergence.

Iteration stops when the biggest logit change is less or equal to LCONV=, or when the biggest logit change size increases (divergence).

CONVERGE=R

RCONV= for "Residual size" controls convergence.

Iteration stops when the biggest residual score is less or equal to RCONV=, or when the biggest residual size increases (divergence).

CONVERGE=E

Either LCONV= for "Logit change size" or RCONV= for "Residual size" controls convergence.

Iteration stops when the biggest logit change is less or equal to LCONV=, or when the biggest residual score is less or equal to RCONV=, or when both the biggest logit change size increases and the biggest residual size increases (divergence).

CONVERGE=B

Both LCONV= for "Logit change size" and RCONV= for "Residual size" controls convergence.

Iteration stops when both the biggest logit change is less or equal to LCONV= and the biggest residual score is less or equal to RCONV=, or when both the biggest logit change size increases and the biggest residual size increases (divergence).

CONVERGE=F

Force both LCONV= for "Logit change size" and RCONV= for "Residual size" to control convergence.

Iteration stops when both the biggest logit change is less or equal to LCONV= and the biggest residual score is less or equal to RCONV=.

 

Example 1: We want to be take a conservative position about convergence, requiring both small logit changes and small residual sizes when iteration ceases.

CONVERGE=Both

 

Example 2: We need very high precision, then specify:

CONVERGE=BOTH ; both score-residual and logit-change criteria

RCONV=.001 ; at most, one tenth of the smallest score residual needed.

LCONV=.00001  ; at most, one tenth of the highest precision to be reported.

These values are much, much smaller than the natural precision of the data, which is .5 raw score points, or the logit precision (S.E.) of the ability measures.

 

Example 3: We want to set the convergence criteria to match BIGSTEPS version 2.59

CONVERGE=B ; the criteria were LCONV= and RCONV=

RCONV= 0.5 ; the BIGSTEPS standards or whatever value you used

LCONV= .01

 

Example 4: We want to set the convergence criteria to match Winsteps version 3.20

CONVERGE=E ; the criterion was LCONV or RCONV

RCONV= 0.5 ; the 3.20 standards or whatever value you used

LCONV= .01

 

Example 5: We want the convergence criteria to match Winsteps version 2.85

CONVERGE= F ; force both LCONV and RCONV to be met

RCONV= 0.5 ; the 2.85 standards or whatever value you used

LCONV= .01

You may also want:

WHEXACT=NO ; centralized Wilson-Hilferty was the default

 

Example 6: Question: With anchored analyses, iterations never stop!

|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

|    JMLE     MAX SCORE   MAX LOGIT    LEAST CONVERGED     CATEGORY    STEP  |

| ITERATION   RESIDUAL*    CHANGE    EXID   BYCASE   CAT   RESIDUAL   CHANGE |

|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

|       1      -239.04       .5562    1993    392*      6      85.70   -.5960|

|       2      -105.65      -.1513    1993    392*      4     -28.92    .2745|

.....

|      18        -5.35      -.0027    2228    352*      3       2.35    .0146|

|      19        -5.16       .0029    2228    352*      3       2.31    .0106|

|      20        -5.05       .0025    2228    352*      3       2.28    .0055|

|      21        -5.00       .0010    2228    352*      3       2.26    .0075|

|      22        -4.99      -.0008    2228    352*      3       2.25    .0025|

.....

|     170        -5.00      -.0011    1377    352*      3       1.96    .0109|

|     171        -5.00       .0018     187    352*      3       1.96    .0019|

.....

 

The standard convergence criteria in Winsteps are preset for "free" analyses. With anchored analyses, convergence is effectively reached when the logit estimates stop changing in a substantively meaningful way. This has effectively happened by iteration 20. Note that the logit changes are less than .01 logits - i.e., even the biggest change would make no difference to the printed output (which is usually reported to 2 decimal places)

 

To have the current Winsteps do this automatically, set

CONVERGE=L

LCONV=.005   ; set to stop at iteration 22 - to be on the safe side.


Help for Winsteps Rasch Measurement and Rasch Analysis Software: www.winsteps.com. Author: John Michael Linacre

Facets Rasch measurement software. Buy for $149. & site licenses. Freeware student/evaluation Minifac download
Winsteps Rasch measurement software. Buy for $149. & site licenses. Freeware student/evaluation Ministep download

Rasch Books and Publications
Invariant Measurement: Using Rasch Models in the Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, 2nd Edn, 2024 George Engelhard, Jr. & Jue Wang Applying the Rasch Model (Winsteps, Facets) 4th Ed., Bond, Yan, Heene Advances in Rasch Analyses in the Human Sciences (Winsteps, Facets) 1st Ed., Boone, Staver Advances in Applications of Rasch Measurement in Science Education, X. Liu & W. J. Boone Rasch Analysis in the Human Sciences (Winsteps) Boone, Staver, Yale
Introduction to Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (Facets), Thomas Eckes Statistical Analyses for Language Testers (Facets), Rita Green Invariant Measurement with Raters and Rating Scales: Rasch Models for Rater-Mediated Assessments (Facets), George Engelhard, Jr. & Stefanie Wind Aplicação do Modelo de Rasch (Português), de Bond, Trevor G., Fox, Christine M Appliquer le modèle de Rasch: Défis et pistes de solution (Winsteps) E. Dionne, S. Béland
Exploring Rating Scale Functioning for Survey Research (R, Facets), Stefanie Wind Rasch Measurement: Applications, Khine Winsteps Tutorials - free
Facets Tutorials - free
Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (Facets) - free, J.M. Linacre Fairness, Justice and Language Assessment (Winsteps, Facets), McNamara, Knoch, Fan
Other Rasch-Related Resources: Rasch Measurement YouTube Channel
Rasch Measurement Transactions & Rasch Measurement research papers - free An Introduction to the Rasch Model with Examples in R (eRm, etc.), Debelak, Strobl, Zeigenfuse Rasch Measurement Theory Analysis in R, Wind, Hua Applying the Rasch Model in Social Sciences Using R, Lamprianou El modelo métrico de Rasch: Fundamentación, implementación e interpretación de la medida en ciencias sociales (Spanish Edition), Manuel González-Montesinos M.
Rasch Models: Foundations, Recent Developments, and Applications, Fischer & Molenaar Probabilistic Models for Some Intelligence and Attainment Tests, Georg Rasch Rasch Models for Measurement, David Andrich Constructing Measures, Mark Wilson Best Test Design - free, Wright & Stone
Rating Scale Analysis - free, Wright & Masters
Virtual Standard Setting: Setting Cut Scores, Charalambos Kollias Diseño de Mejores Pruebas - free, Spanish Best Test Design A Course in Rasch Measurement Theory, Andrich, Marais Rasch Models in Health, Christensen, Kreiner, Mesba Multivariate and Mixture Distribution Rasch Models, von Davier, Carstensen
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change what you pay.

facebook Forum: Rasch Measurement Forum to discuss any Rasch-related topic

To receive News Emails about Winsteps and Facets by subscribing to the Winsteps.com email list,
enter your email address here:

I want to Subscribe: & click below
I want to Unsubscribe: & click below

Please set your SPAM filter to accept emails from Winsteps.com
The Winsteps.com email list is only used to email information about Winsteps, Facets and associated Rasch Measurement activities. Your email address is not shared with third-parties. Every email sent from the list includes the option to unsubscribe.

Questions, Suggestions? Want to update Winsteps or Facets? Please email Mike Linacre, author of Winsteps mike@winsteps.com


State-of-the-art : single-user and site licenses : free student/evaluation versions : download immediately : instructional PDFs : user forum : assistance by email : bugs fixed fast : free update eligibility : backwards compatible : money back if not satisfied
 
Rasch, Winsteps, Facets online Tutorials


 

 
Coming Rasch-related Events: Winsteps and Facets
Oct 21 - 22 2024, Mon.-Tues. In person workshop: Facets and Winsteps in expert judgement test validity - UNAM (México) y Universidad Católica de Colombia. capardo@ucatolica.edu.co, benildegar@gmail.com
Oct. 4 - Nov. 8, 2024, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com
Jan. 17 - Feb. 21, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com
May 16 - June 20, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com
June 20 - July 18, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Further Topics (E. Smith, Facets), www.statistics.com
Oct. 3 - Nov. 7, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com

 

 

Our current URL is www.winsteps.com

Winsteps® is a registered trademark