DIVAUTO= automatic changes to ESTMULT= when estimation diverges

During JMLE estimation, estimates may not converge for anchored or sparse data. Reducing the estimation multiplier, ESTMULT=, makes estimate changes smaller, assisting convergence.

 

DIVAUTO=No (default)

Do not allow automatic changes to the estimation multiplier ESTMULT= during JMLE estimation. Changes to ESTMULT= can be made with the Diagnosis menu.This is compatible with Winsteps 5.9 and similar versions.

DIVAUTO=Yes

If JMLE estimates are not converging, allow automatic changes to the estimation multiplier ESTMULT=  during JMLE estimation. Changes to ESTMULT= can also be made with the Diagnosis menu.

This is compatible with Winsteps 4.5 and similar versions.

 

Example:

 

In the control file:

DIVAUTO=No ; no divergence control (default)

 

In the Analysis window:

 

|    JMLE     MAX SCORE   MAX LOGIT     LEAST CONVERGED    CATEGORY STRUCTURE|

| ITERATION   RESIDUAL*     CHANGE  PERSON    ITEM    CAT   RESIDUAL   CHANGE|

.....

>============================================================================<

|      53         .12      -.0002   11765     70*                           |

>============================================================================<

|      54         -.15       .0002   11765     70*                           |

>============================================================================<

|      55         .13      -.0002    1617     70* <- diverging             |

Estimation may have diverged. Press Ctrl-F to stop iterations

or Diagnosis menu: Reduce ESTMULT= <- manual divergence control

>============================================================================<

|      56         -.11       .0001     187     70*                           |

>============================================================================<

In the control file:

DIVAUTO=Yes  ; with automatic divergence control

 

In the Analysis window:

 

|    JMLE     MAX SCORE   MAX LOGIT     LEAST CONVERGED    CATEGORY STRUCTURE|

| ITERATION   RESIDUAL*     CHANGE  PERSON    ITEM    CAT   RESIDUAL   CHANGE|

.....

>============================================================================<

|      28         -.11       .0001     187     70*                           |

>============================================================================<

|      29          .13      -.0002     187     70*                           |

>============================================================================<

|      30         -.15       .0002     187     70* <- diverging             |

Estimation may have diverged. Reducing ESTMULT=.600 <- automatic divergence control

>============================================================================<

|      31          .13      -.0001     187     70*                           |

 


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