A comparison of item response theory and confirmatory factor analytic methodologies for establishing measurement equivalence/invariance

Recently, there has been increased interest in tests of measurement equivalence/invariance (ME/I). This study uses simulated data with known properties to assess the appropriateness, similarities, and differences between confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory methods of assessing MEA. Results indicate that although neither approach is without flaw, the item response theory-based approach seems to be better suited for some types of ME/I analyses.