Hierarchical Diagnostic Classification Models Morphing into Unidimensional ‘Diagnostic’ Classification Models—A Commentary

This commentary addresses the modeling and final analytical path taken, as well as the terminology used, in the paper “Hierarchical diagnostic classification models: a family of models for estimating and testing attribute hierarchies” by Templin and Bradshaw (Psychometrika, doi:<ExternalRef> <RefSource>10.1007/s11336-013-9362-0</RefSource> <RefTarget Address="10.1007/s11336-013-9362-0" TargetType="DOI"/> </ExternalRef>, <CitationRef CitationID="CR23">2013</CitationRef>). It raises several issues concerning use of cognitive diagnostic models that either assume attribute hierarchies or assume a certain form of attribute interactions. The issues raised are illustrated with examples, and references are provided for further examination. Copyright The Psychometric Society 2014