中文摘要：

阶层线性模型是处理阶层结构数据的高级统计方法，项目反应理论是精确测量被试能力的现代测量理论。多水平项目反应理论将阶层线性模型和项目反应理论相结合，将项目反应模型嵌套在阶层线性模型内，实现了项目参数和不同水平能力参数的估计，对回归系数和误差项变异的估计也更加精确。作者概述了多水平项目反应理论的发展历程，并从项目功能差异、测验等值、学校效能研究等方面评述了多水平项目反应理论在心理与教育测量中的应用，总结了多水平项目反应理论的价值，同时展望了今后的研究趋势。

英文摘要：

Hierarchical linear model （HLM） is an advanced statistical method for analyzing hierarchical structure data, and item response theory （IRT） is a modern measurement theory for accurately estimating individual＇s ability. Combining HLM and IRT brought about the development of multilevel item response theory （multilevel IRT）, where ability parameter in item response model is treated as latent variable in HLM. Multilevel IRT can be used not only to obtain the values of item parameters and ability parameters of different levels, but also to estimate the regression coefficients and variance components more precisely. In this paper, the authors expound the developmental history of multilevel IRT, then evaluate the academic value of multilevel IRT from the perspectives of differential item functioning, test equating and school effectiveness research. Future research directions for multilevel IRT are discussed as well.