Plausible values are multiple imputed proficiency values based on information from the test items (the actual PIAAC literacy, numeracy, and PSTRE instruments) and information provided by the respondent in the BQ.
As respondents received different item booklets, PIAAC reports 10 plausible values, or multiple imputations of proficiency values from the posterior distribution of a latent regression item response model, for each skill domain.
If several labs use a method for DNA isolation and/or PCR that causes bias this will influence the assigned value of the proficiency test samples.
During a 1-year period while these samples were being analyzed, the accuracy was within 5% or on average < 0.2 μg/dL deviation from target values for 48 proficiency test samples (analyzed in masked fashion) across a wide range of values (0 100 μg/dL).
Higher values represent higher proficiency levels.
For each of the four NAEP data sets, we computed the item-fit residuals at 31 equally-spaced values of the proficiency scale between −3 and 3 for each score category (except for the lowest score category) of each item.
More detailed information describing the procedures used to scale the cognitive data and estimate proficiency values for each respondent can be found in the technical report available electronically through the OECD (OECD 2013).
In this case, the statistic is calculated by comparing the frequency of individuals correctly responding to the item for a given (very small) range of values of θ (proficiency), with the model-predicted frequency (Finch and French, 2015).
Suppose, for example, that it is suspected that the outcome of interest, say wages, and the imputed proficiency values are statistically associated in non-linear ways, and so the secondary analyst's model contains non-linear transformation of the outcome variable or one or more of the independent variables; however, the latent regression does not include such terms.
Young Girl Scouts will learn the values of digital proficiency but forget the importance of human interaction.
