Using the snowIRT module in jamovi for rasch analysis: A tutorial for counseling research

Abstract

Although Rasch modeling is widely used in counseling and psychological research, its practical application is often constrained by technical complexity and limited accessibility of existing software. This study demonstrates how to conduct and interpret Rasch-based analyses using the snowIRT module in the Jamovi statistical environment. To address this gap, the tutorial offers a clear, step-by-step guide within a user-friendly, menu-driven interface. Using a depression scale dataset as an example, it presents key procedures, including model estimation, model comparison, item diagnostics, category functioning, graphical outputs, and person-level evaluation. It also explains how to interpret Rasch results in applied measurement contexts. Furthermore, the study connects Rasch outputs with Messick's unified validity framework, illustrating how such evidence supports multiple aspects of construct validity. Overall, the tutorial provides an accessible, theoretically grounded resource that facilitates broader use of Rasch modeling in counseling and social science research and improves methodological transparency for researchers across disciplines.