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Effect of the response tree format on the utility and psychometric properties of scales measuring symptoms in adults undergoing inpatient rehabilitation
Author(s) -
Fox Mary T.,
Sidani Souraya,
Streiner David L.,
McGilton Katherine S.,
Grady Cheryl
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/nur.20458
Subject(s) - reliability (semiconductor) , psychometrics , rehabilitation , scale (ratio) , clinical psychology , psychology , item response theory , comprehension , rasch model , physical therapy , medicine , computer science , developmental psychology , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , programming language
Imbedding a response tree into self‐report scales is a strategy recommended to improve item comprehension and reduce burden in older adults. However, researchers have posed potential utility, validity, and reliability limitations to this strategy that have not been examined in the clinical setting. We evaluated the effect of the response tree format (RTF) on the psychometric properties and utility of three scales measuring symptoms in 86 rehabilitation inpatients. The RTF had little effect on the scales' psychometric properties or utility. Time to complete the scales differed for one scale only. The two formats manifested comparable levels of utility, reliability, and validity in the study sample, and may be used with older adults who experience difficulty responding to the original scales. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 34:508–519, 2011