Rasch analysis examining processing mechanisms of the object location memory test revised

Abstract

This study's objective was the construction and examination of the Object Location Memory Revised (OLM-R), an instrument designed to measure spatial memory. The OLM-R measured a participant's (N=111) ability to inspect a spatial array and recall image identities and positions after a distractor task. Rasch methodology and regression analyses were employed to explore the influence a priori design factors have on performance and item difficulty. Rasch analyses revealed that, while the OLM-R has a misfitting item, overall the instrument shows good measurement properties. Specific analyses examining complexity factors indicated that Object Manipulation (e.g., moving, replacing, or unchanging) and the Number of Items in an array were leading influences of OLM-R performance.