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Original Article

Applying AdaBoost to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy

A Simulation Study

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1027/1614-2241/a000166

Abstract. Cognitive diagnostic modeling has been adopted to support various diagnostic measuring processes. Specifically, this approach allows practitioners and/or researchers to investigate an individual’s status with regard to certain latent variables of interest. However, the diagnostic information provided by traditional estimation approaches often suffers from low accuracy, especially under small sample conditions. This paper adopts an AdaBoost technique, popular in the field of machine learning, to estimate latent variables. Further, the proposed approach involves the construction of a simple iterative algorithm that is based upon the AdaBoost technique – such that the area under the curve (AUC) is minimized. The algorithmic details are elaborated via pseudo codes with line-to-line verbal explanations. Simulation studies were conducted such that the improvement of latent variable estimates via the proposed approach can be examined.

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