Search

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable hiking and camping common content knowledge test for Turkish preservice physical education teachers. Method: Participants were 305 physical education students who had previously completed hiking and camping content course in Physical Education Teacher Education. The researchers followed five steps to develop the test. The Rasch model was utilized for data analysis. Results: Findings showed a good item model fit for all items, except Item 4. Results also indicated that the developed test had high internal consistency for both item difficulty and person ability. Overall, the test findings demonstrated good evidence to support the validity and reliability of hiking and camping common content knowledge test. Discussion/Conclusion: The developed test can be used for measuring hiking and camping knowledge level of physical education teachers and Physical Education Teacher Education students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While general self-efficacy is known to relate to achievement in many areas, it has rarely been evaluated in individuals with low vision. Here we explore the psychometric properties and targeting of the New General Self Efficacy Scale (NGSES) using Rasch analysis in data collected from older adult clinical trial participants with low vision. Methods: Participants (n = 121) completed pre-intervention telephone questionnaires (i.e., NGSES, Activity Inventory (AI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), SF-36, and the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS). Rasch analysis using the Method of Successive Dichotomizations (MSD) was applied to NGSES, AI, and BDI datasets to estimate person and item measures, and ordered rating category thresholds. NGSES infit mean square statistics and standard errors were analyzed to test whether data fit Rasch model requirements, and targeting was assessed by comparing distributions of person and item measures. Multiple linear regression evaluated the influence of participant characteristics on NGSES person measures. Results: There was a significant difference (p = 0.01) in the distributions of NGSES person measures (mean = 0.85, range -2.1-3.2) and item measures (mean = 0, range -1.0-0.72). Infit mean square statistics and standard errors for item and person measures conformed to expectations of the Rasch model. Greater NGSES person measure was related to lower BDI person measure (β = -0.48, p < 0.0005, 95% CI -0.67—-0.28) and higher AI person measure (β = 0.11, p = 0.047, 95% CI 0.0013 – 0.22) after controlling for cognitive status (TICS). Other variables including SF-36, visual acuity, and patient demographics were not related to NGSES person measure. Conclusions: While NGSES person measures estimated from a low vision patient population conformed to basic Rasch model requirements, the significant differences in the person and item measure distributions indicate poor NGSES targeting, specifically a ceiling effect. Therefore, there is limited discrimination between persons at the upper end of the scale. While further work can evaluate how self-efficacy may be associated with other factors in the low vision patient population, the ceiling effect found in this study cautions interpretation of NGSES results for those with high general self-efficacy. Trial registration: Pre-registered on clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04926974. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to measure the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) in Australia during the COVID‐19 pandemic using the 8‐item Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Employing the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, Rasch models alongside a discrete method were used to investigate the severity of FI and robustness of the 8‐item FIES during 2020–2021. Our results indicate that during 2020–2021, 6.47% of Australians experienced moderate or severe FI and 2.93% experienced severe FI. Validation tests following United Nations guidelines show similar weighted and unweighted results and consistency with the discrete method. Infit and outfit metrics, alongside measures of reliability and residual correlations, were all within the expected range. We conclude that the FIES administered as part of Wave 20 of the HILDA survey was a suitable instrument for measuring the prevalence of FI at a representative population level. Although Australia has been measuring FI for 40 years, it has been characterised by measurement inconsistency, inadequacy and infrequency, resulting in insufficient data for policymaking. Reliable representative population estimates of the extent of FI in Australia provides critical intelligence for an effective policy response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTo translate and culturally adapt the Brachial Assessment Tool (BrAT) into Swedish and evaluate the internal consistency, and internal content validity using Rasch analysis in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPI).The translation was made in accordance with international guidelines. TBPI patients were identified in clinical records. The BrAT-Swe was sent out to patients by post. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach alpha and content validity using Rasch analysis evaluating fit to the Rasch model, threshold response, local dependency, dimensionality, differential item functioning (DIF), and targeting.The translation of the BrAT was completed without major discrepancies. A total of 164 patients completed the BrAT-Swe. Internal consistency ranged from 0.90 to 0.98. Rasch analysis supported the content validity. All subscales demonstrated fit to the model with no local dependency, minimal disordered thresholds and no unidimensionality. Uniform DIF for item 6 by age, was identified. Minimal differences in hierarchical ordering were identified.This study presents a Swedish translation of the BrAT (BrAT-Swe) and has demonstrated that the translated BrAT-Swe is well adapted for Swedish circumstances. Analysis supports the internal content validity of the BrAT-Swe as a unidimensional targeted PROM designed to assess activity limitation after TBPI.The Swedish translation of the Brachial Assessment Tool (BrAT), the BrAT-Swe, is a valid instrument that can be used in a Swedish context.The BrAT-Swe subscales can be used independently or as a total score, similar to the original BrAT.The BrAT-Swe may be used to guide rehabilitation and for goal setting for patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury.The Swedish translation of the Brachial Assessment Tool (BrAT), the BrAT-Swe, is a valid instrument that can be used in a Swedish context.The BrAT-Swe subscales can be used independently or as a total score, similar to the original BrAT.The BrAT-Swe may be used to guide rehabilitation and for goal setting for patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives Methods Results Conclusion The Perceptions of Palliative Care Instrument (PPCI) is a tool used to access perceptions towards palliative care in patients with advanced cancer. However, its psychometric properties have not been widely tested using modern psychometric methods. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the PPCI in patients with advanced cancer using Rasch analysis.Four hundred and forty four Participants were recruited from the Department of Medical Oncology at a tertiary care hospital in Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China, between October 2020 and February 2021. Participants completed the PPCI. Rasch analysis procedures were conducted, including assessment of unidimensionality, model‐date fit, rating scale function, differential item functioning, item‐person map, and person and item reliability.The unidimensionality of the PPCI was confirmed, although two items (18 and 21) did not fit the Rasch model. The degree of fit of each item to its respective dimension was excellent, with Infit MNSQ and Outfit MNSQ values ranging from 0.73 to 1.33. The PPCI demonstrated high reliability, with an item reliability of 0.99 and a person reliability of 0.77.The PPCI is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing perceptions of palliative care in advanced cancer patients. However, to further improve the quality and applicability of the PPCI, the deletion of items 18 and 21 is recommended, as they did not fit the Rasch model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveMethodResultsConclusionIn this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 items (DASS-21) in a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) sample.Treatment-seeking adults (n = 347) were recruited from outpatient rehabilitation services in New Zealand. Dimensionality, reliability, person separation index, and differential item functioning (DIF) of the DASS-21 were examined using Rasch analysis.Initial analysis of the complete 21-item DASS showed poor overall fit due to problems with individual items. Fit to the Rasch model was excellent when treated as three composite scores. The stress subscale demonstrated adequate model fit, dimensionality and good reliability. For anxiety, fit was not good, reliability was unsatisfactory and DIF was evident on one item. When this item was removed, fit to the model was still inadequate as was reliability. DIF was also evident for depression, but when this item was removed, fit to the model was adequate.The DASS-21 is a psychometrically sound measure of distress and stress for adults seeking treatment following mTBI. Ordinal to interval score conversion tables are provided to increase the precision of measurement. When assessing depression in a mTBI population, a 6-item depression subscale is recommended. Caution is advised in using the DASS-21 anxiety subscale alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study applied the Mixed Rasch Model (MRM) to the listening comprehension section of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to detect latent class differential item functioning (DIF) by exploring multiple profiles of second/foreign language listeners. Item responses of 462 examinees to an IELTS listening test were subjected to MRM analysis. Three classes emerged: (1) ‘Medium-level Stimulus Processors’ who can somewhat synchronize top-down and bottom-up processing, handle multitasking to a certain extent, comprehend moderately complex items, and manage input delivered at a relatively fast pace; (2) ‘High-level Stimulus Processors’ who have greater abilities in synchronizing top-down and bottom-up processing, multitasking, understanding complex items, and handling fast delivery input and more paraphrased content; and (3) ‘Low-level Stimulus Processors’ who rely more on bottom-up processing, have limited lexico-grammatical knowledge, struggle with multitasking and complex items, and find fast delivery input and paraphrased content challenging. Differences across the classes were further explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistent with their goal of becoming a centre for educational excellence in teaching, learning and research, the authorities of Chinese higher education introduced their academic database system as one of their e-library services. However, the existing literature exhibits inadequate empirical measurements of academic databases in all aspects of higher education throughout the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this gap, this study aims to validate the technology satisfaction model (TSM) for measuring students' satisfaction in using academic databases for their learning and research purposes. This study also analysed local and international academic databases to explore whether these databases could play a moderating role in shaping learners' satisfaction. The data were collected through a survey of 500 respondents studying at a research university in Shanghai. The results, which were analysed by structural equation modelling and the Rasch model, showed that students' satisfaction is determined by three valid predictors: computer self-efficacy, perceived usefulness and ease of use, and causal direct and indirect relationships among these variables in the use of local and international academic databases. Our new findings on the moderating effect of local (i.e. Chinese) and international (e.g. English) academic databases highlighted that the TSM has successfully estimated dual databases and produced insignificant, dissimilar results. This study could aid local and international educators, researchers, information science professionals and others in measuring the perception of academic databases for learning and research. This research could also serve as a guideline for researchers and psychometricians in measuring innovative learning technologies using structural equation modelling and the Rasch model. This is the unique contribution of this study, which concludes that local and international academic databases are almost equally important for postgraduate students at a research university in China. Moreover, these students are satisfied in using these academic databases to learn and do research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peggy McIntosh's (White privilege and male privilege: A personal account of coming to see correspondences through work in women's studies, Working Paper 189, Wellesley Center for Research on Women, 1988) list of 50 racial privileges, which purportedly benefit persons of white skin colour, has had enormous impact on social science research and educational curriculum and pedagogy. Surprisingly, to date, no attempt has been made to empirically explore the validity and reliability of her list of racial privileges. To address this issue, we conducted a psychometric analysis on McIntosh's list of racial privileges with 204 adult Australian university students. Using a combination of factor analyses and Rasch modelling on McIntosh's list of racial privileges we identified a 27‐item multidimensional scale consisting of three well‐functioning and reliable subscales (i.e. a 15‐item Racial Representation, a six‐item Social Interaction and a six‐item Culture and Politics subscale). Moreover, the derived multi‐dimensional white privilege instrument was found to have good criterion validity in that persons' experiences of racism significantly predicted white privilege (i.e. the more racism experienced the less white privilege experienced and vice versa). Finally, analysis of variance comparisons indicated that persons with white skin colour had significantly more white privilege than persons with black skin colour and Asians, while Asians had more white privilege than persons with black skin colour. Overall, this study presents evidence of a psychometrically valid and reliable 27‐item multi‐dimensional white privilege instrument and lends empirical support to the theoretical underpinnings of McIntosh's contentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief version of the Alcohol Consumption Consequences Evaluation Scale (ACCE) [38] was developed to promptly detect possible risks related to alcohol consumption, such as Binge Drinking (BD), in university students. Using the "snowball" method, a sample of 595 students aged 18 to 20 (65.4% women) from the University of Valencia (Spain) was obtained during the 2019–2020 academic year. Items with the highest values of the discrimination parameter in the original version (ACCE) were selected and the Rasch model was applied. To verify the usefulness of this version, ROC analyses were conducted separately for men and women using the Audit score as the criterion. In the overall sample, the analysis had an area of 0.812 (SE = 0.018). In men, the area was 0.796 (SE = 0.032) and for women, it was 0.823 (SE = 0.021). In addition, a logistic regression analysis was performed, using a cut-off point of 3 based on the ROC analysis, to assess the utility of this version in classifying BD and non-BD. The odds ratio was 3.812 (p = 0.000), correctly classifying 89.2% of the young people and indicating that the probability of engaging in BD is 3.8 times higher for individuals obtaining more than 3 points on this scale. This result confirms the usefulness of this brief version (ACCE10) as a screening tool for early intervention, especially in clinical or university settings, since it allows young people to be situated within a range of severity according to their consumption patterns. Furthermore, it may help stop the progression of the addictive process, create awareness of the need for change, and facilitate access to the most suitable interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is little consensus in the literature regarding a) what it means for a school leader to lead with data, and b) how to measure data-informed leadership in a reliable and valid way. This study examines the psychometric properties of an operational measure intended to assess the extent to which a school leader is a 'data-informed school leader. The measurement invariance, reliabilities and construct and predictive validities of the Data-Informed School Leadership Survey (DISL Survey) are assessed using various psychometric statistical techniques. Methods: Using data collected from 155 teachers from 7 public schools in a southern state, the following psychometric statistics used to address our purpose: the Many-Facet Rasch (MFR) Model, Bayesian second-order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling- Multiple Indicators, Multiple Causes analysis (Bayesian SEM-MIMIC), and reliability analysis. Findings: Results show an adequate fit from all MFR, Bayesian CFA, and MIMIC models and a high reliability (Cronbach α =.98). The DISL Survey instrument exhibits sound psychometric properties. Results likewise confirm the value of using MFR modeling and Bayesian methods to examine the psychometric properties of DISL Survey as a means of improving educational leadership measures. Implications for Research and Practice: Data from this study confirm the validity and reliability of the Data-Informed School Leadership Survey (DISL Survey) as an instrument to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Data-Informed School Leadership (DISL) and as a means for providing feedback for improving such leadership. Heretofore a measure for assessing this leadership was non-existent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illusory health beliefs are ill-founded, erroneous notions about well-being. They are important as they can influence allied attitudes, actions, and behaviors to the detriment of personal and societal welfare. Noting this, and the prevalence of paranormal beliefs in contemporary Western society, researchers developed the Paranormal Health Beliefs Scale (PHBS). Modification of the PHBS for use with a United Kingdom-based sample resulted in the instrument broadening to incorporate illusory rather than merely paranormal health beliefs. The present study psychometrically assessed the emergent Illusory Health Beliefs Scale (IHBS). The principal objective was to validate the IHBS using a large, representative sample. Eight hundred and fifty participants (360 males, 482 females, eight non-binary) completed the IHBS alongside instruments assessing theoretically associated constructs (i.e., magical thinking, faith in scientifically unsubstantiated notions, and forms of self-referential, intuitive causation). Exploratory factor analysis revealed the existence of six meaningful IHBS dimensions: Religious/Spiritual, Superstition, Precognitive, Health Myths, Skepticism, and Health Pseudoscience. The IHBS demonstrated satisfactory reliability and convergent validity with theoretically aligned constructs. Rasch analysis at the subscale level revealed good item/person fit and item/person reliability, unidimensionality, and equivalency of items across subgroups (gender and religious affiliation). Analysis confirmed the IHBS was an effective measure of illusory health beliefs. However, researchers should undertake further work to refine the scale and evaluate its performance across different samples and time points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Our study utilized the Rasch analysis to examine the psychometric properties of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A total of 3,319 children (44.77 ± 23.52 months) were included. The Rasch model (RM) was utilized to test the reliability and validity of the ABC. The GPCMlasso model was used to test the differential item functioning (DIF). Result: The response pattern of this sample showed acceptable fitness to the RM. The analysis supported the unidimensionality assumption of the ABC. Disordered category functions and DIF were found in all items in the ABC. The participants responded to the ABC items differently depending not only on autistic traits but also on age groups, gender, and symptom classifications. Conclusion: The Rasch analysis produces reliable evidence to support that the ABC can precisely depict clinical ASD symptoms. Differences in population characteristics may cause unnecessary assessment bias and lead to overestimated or underestimated symptom severity. Hence, special consideration for population characteristics is needed in making an ASD diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ChatGPT becomes a prominent tool for students' learning of science when students read its scientific texts. Students read to learn about climate change misinformation using ChatGPT, while they develop critical awareness of the content, linguistic features as well as nature of AI and science to comprehend these texts. In this exploratory study, we investigated students' reading performance in comprehending two ChatGPT-generated socio-scientific texts, with one focusing on cognitive-epistemic aspects of climate science and another one focusing on social-institutional aspects of climate science. We theorized such reading of ChatGPT-generated outputs as encompassing the content-interpretation, genre-reasoning and epistemic-evaluation domains. Combining Rasch partial-credit model and qualitative analysis, we explored and investigated how a total of 117 junior secondary students (grades 8 to 9) read such texts. Moreover, we also examined how 55 students' holistic reading of socio-scientific texts on climate change in a ChatGPT scenario changes after a reading-science intervention. Our findings indicate that the content-interpretation was the easiest while the epistemic-evaluation domains were the most difficult. Interestingly, after the reading-science intervention, many students developed their tentative view on nature of science when they evaluated ChatGPT's claims; while a small increase in number of students discussed reliability and non-epistemic nature of AI when they evaluated ChatGPT's claims in relation to climate change. The findings also drive a pedagogical model that improves students' holistic reading of socio-scientific texts generated by ChatGPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients report symptom improvement but find adjusting to life with the LVAD challenging. These challenges are unique, and existing patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) do not reflect their experiences. This study aimed to develop a culturally relevant quality of life PROM for use with LVAD recipients in future research, design evolutions and clinical practice. Methods: A three‐stage mixed‐methods approach was used to develop a PROM: stage 1 included group concept mapping (GCM); stage 2 semi‐structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 LVAD recipients and 10 clinicians, and a questionnaire was developed using a conceptual framework; and stage 3 used exploratory psychometric analysis of the PROM data using Rasch measurement theory. This paper presents stages 2 and 3. Results: The conceptual framework consisted of four key concepts, including general health, life with the LVAD, equipment and clothing and emotional impact. Statements from interviews and GCM were used to create items for the LVAD quality of life (LVAD‐QoL). Cognitive interviews tested face validity and participant comprehension. Forty‐nine participants were recruited from three UK transplant centres. PROM data were collected and analysed using Rasch analysis. Four items displayed misfit; dependency between item sets was the biggest issue (57/485 pairwise differences). After restructuring and dealing with item misfit, the LVAD‐QoL conformed to the Rasch model, supporting the psychometric properties and quality of the LVAD‐QoL. Conclusions: Using a mixed‐methods approach ensured the development of a robust and psychometrically sound tool for research, design evolution and clinical practice with LVAD recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are a widely used performance assessment for medical and dental students. A common limitation of OSCEs is that the evaluation results depend on the characteristics of raters and a scoring rubric. To overcome this limitation, item response theory (IRT) models such as the many-facet Rasch model have been proposed to estimate examinee abilities while taking into account the characteristics of raters and evaluation items in a rubric. However, conventional IRT models have two impractical assumptions: constant rater severity across all evaluation items in a rubric and an equal interval rating scale among evaluation items, which can decrease model fitting and ability measurement accuracy. To resolve this problem, we propose a new IRT model that introduces two parameters: (1) a rater–item interaction parameter representing the rater severity for each evaluation item and (2) an item-specific step-difficulty parameter representing the difference in rating scales among evaluation items. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model by applying it to actual data collected from a medical interview test conducted at Tokyo Medical and Dental University as part of a post-clinical clerkship OSCE. The experimental results showed that the proposed model was well-fitted to our OSCE data and measured ability accurately. Furthermore, it provided abundant information on rater and item characteristics that conventional models cannot, helping us to better understand rater and item properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a Quality of Life (QOL) assessment scale for older patients with Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases (NCCD) and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. Method: The study participants were derived from the Elderly Individuals with NCCD Registered Cohort Study (EINCCDRCS), a multicenter registry of patients with NCCD. The preliminary testing of the questionnaire was conducted among 10 older individuals aged 65 years and older who had NCCD and were recruited from the registry. Other patients who met the inclusion criteria participated in the field testing. After verifying the unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity assumptions of the scale, we employed the Rasch model within Item Response Theory framework to assess the quality of the scale through methods including internal consistency, criterion validity, Wright map, and item functioning differential. Subsequently, we assessed the construct validity of the scale by combining exploratory factor analysis with confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Based on well-validated scales such as the short-form WHOQOL-OLD, HeartQOL, IQCODE, and SF-36, an original Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases Quality of Life scale (NCCDQOL) was developed. 196 individuals from the EINCCDRCS were included in the study, with 10 participating in the preliminary testing and 186 in the field testing. Based on the results of the preliminary testing, the original questionnaire was refined through item deletion and adjustment, resulting in an 11-item NCCDQOL questionnaire. The Rasch analysis of the field testing data led to the removal of 21 misfitting individuals. The NCCDQOL demonstrated a four-category structure, achieved by combining two response categories. This structure aligned with the assumptions of unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity. The NCCDQOL also exhibited good validity and reliability. Conclusion: The revised NCCDQOL questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and validity in the Rasch model, indicating promising potential for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While numerous studies on verbal working memory have investigated the capacity of the phonological loop and the effectiveness of rehearsal as one core process for maintaining the memory trace, the reconstruction of the memory trace from long-term memory, called redintegration, has been studied less thoroughly. This holds particularly for the population of students with special educational learning needs and mild and borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID). In a previous study, we found a differential developmental relation between the effectiveness of redintegration and vocabulary size, counter-intuitively suggesting that students with MBID tend to show less effective redintegration with higher vocabulary size. However, differential item functioning (DIF) in the picture naming task may have biased the result. Therefore, the current study is a re-analysis of this interaction controlling for DIF in the vocabulary measure. To this end, the items of the picture naming task (k = 95) were analyzed through a Rasch model, and k = 29 biased items were excluded. The resulting corrected vocabulary score was used to predict the redintegration effectiveness, comparing students with and without MBID. The interaction remains significant, supporting the original finding that students with MBID have a differential developmental pattern and are less able to make adequate use of a growing vocabulary when reconstructing traces in their working memory. Implications of this result for the understanding of MBID and further research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Incorporating principles of family-centered care into pediatric weight management interventions can improve the effectiveness and quality of treatment and reduce attrition rates. To assess the family-centeredness of interventions, reliable, valid, and easy-to-administer scales are needed. The purpose of the study was to develop a shortened version of the modified Family Centered Care Assessment (mFCCA) and assess its psychometric properties. Methods: The mFCCA, a scale to assess the family-centeredness of interventions for childhood obesity, was administered to families following the Connect for Health randomized control trial evaluating the effectiveness of a primary care-based pediatric weight management intervention. We iteratively removed items from the mFCCA and used Rasch modeling to examine the reliability and validity of the shortened scale. Results: We included data from 318 parents and the exploratory factor analysis showed the presence of a single factor. The results of the Rasch modeling demonstrated acceptable internal consistency of the scale (0.7) and strong validity as evidenced by the overall model fit and range of item difficulty. Following the psychometric analyses, we reduced the number of items from 24 to 8 items. Conclusion: The mFCCA short version demonstrates good psychometrics and can be used to evaluate the family-centeredness of childhood obesity interventions with reduced participant burden, thereby improving outcomes for children with obesity. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02124460 registered on April 24, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rasch analysis was employed to investigate the psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and its shorter versions (EUROHIS-QOL-8 and WHOQOL-5) within the context of patients undergoing warfarin in Thailand. A group of 260 patients were recruited from three public hospitals and tasked with completing the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Rasch analysis showed that the WHOQOL-BREF, structured into four-domain subtests, achieved a commendable fit to the Rasch model (χ2[16] = 12.26, p = 0.73), met the criterion of unidimensionality (7.31% significant t-tests; lower bound confidence interval, 4.66), and demonstrated satisfactory reliability (PSI = 0.87). The adoption of a subtest approach facilitated an acceptable fit to the Rasch model for each domain of the WHOQOL-BREF, except for the social domain. However, the presence of local dependency of the three-item social domain was detected, so the reliability was not reported. The WHOQOL-5 proved to be unidimensional, fitting the Rasch model acceptably, and had satisfactory reliability. Conversely, the EUROHIS-QOL-8 presented local dependency; thus, reliability was not reported. Consequently, the WHOQOL-BREF in its four-domain subtests is recommended for pre- and post-HRQoL measurements, whereas the WHOQOL-5 can effectively measure HRQoL levels in between-group analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Observers do not consistently adhere to the 4-point Heckmatt grading scale. • A 3-point Heckmatt grading scale was always consistently used by observers. • Utilizing a simplified 3-point Heckmatt grading scale enhances accuracy and usability. The 4-point Heckmatt grading scale can easily be used to analyze muscle ultrasound images. The scale is used in an expanding set of muscles and neuromuscular disorders. This prompted the need for evaluation of the measurement properties of the scale in its current form. In this retrospective observational study we included muscle ultrasound images from patients who were undergoing an ultrasound exam for either clinical or research purposes. The primary outcome of this study was to investigate and improve the measurement properties of the Heckmatt scale using Rasch analysis. We investigated whether observers consistently used the 4 response categories. Data was available of 30.967 muscle ultrasound images from 1783 patients and 43 different individual muscles. In 8 of the 43 muscles, observers had difficulty to discriminate between the response categories, especially in bulbar muscles. After rescoring to a 3-point scale, the response categories were consistently used in all 43 muscles. In conclusion, a 3-point Heckmatt grading scale leads to improved accurate scoring compared to the original 4-point Heckmatt grading scale. Using the 3-point Heckmatt grading scale will not only simplify the use of the scale but also enhance its application in clinical practice and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recognizing the declining interest of school students in Physics, this study sought to explore the situation in England, Hong Kong and Singapore. Purpose: To ascertain students' views about various aspects of physics. Sample: A total of 2719 students participated in this study. Design and methods: A survey approach was used to ascertain the views of students. It was earlier validated in one of the countries. The Rasch model was used to treat the survey data. Results: On the utilitarian factor, the students from Hong Kong and Singapore held significantly negative attitudes towards career prospects for physics graduates. To them, obtaining a degree in physics would not, as compared to other subjects, appreciably assist them vocationally, which was in contrast to the view held by the students in England. On the intrinsic factor, while the students from all three countries found physics to be interesting, it did not appear to significantly motivate them to want to continue with physics at tertiary level. Nevertheless, they asserted that good grades do motivate them to study physics. On the social aspect, the students from the three countries endorsed significantly positively on the influence of their physics teachers in inspiring them to study physics, with the students from Singapore and Hong Kong endorsing slightly higher agreement. The former group also reported that their close friends generally think that physics is 'uncool' while those from England felt otherwise. Students' views were similar in terms of parental influence, with parents significantly discouraging them from studying physics at tertiary level. They did not exhibit significantly different views on subject matter. Enrichment activities and laboratory work were important to them in nurturing and maintaining interest in physics Conclusion: The survey data has provided useful insights on students' views of various aspects of Physics in the three countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which students identify with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (i.e. STEM identity) is crucial in influencing them to pursue STEM-related careers after compulsory education. Given the predictive power of this construct, this study explores Thai students' STEM identities by focussing on three components (i.e. interest, performance, and recognition) in light of their gender, educational programme, and career aspiration. One hundred and thirty-one students in Grades 10–11 from two secondary schools participated in the study. A Likert-type questionnaire was employed to gather data, which were subsequently transformed into interval scores using Rasch analysis. Inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. This study reveals that male and female students do not significantly differ in terms of their interest in and recognition of STEM. However, gender differences manifest regarding performance in STEM. Those studying in STEM-focussed programmes are likely to show stronger STEM identities than those in non-STEM programmes. Despite this tendency within the STEM-focussed programmes, the students' recognition of STEM varies by school. Those with career aspirations towards STEM are likely to exhibit stronger STEM identities than those who aspire to non-STEM careers. Based on the data, this study suggests a hypothesis regarding learning progression for students' STEM identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology is the property of Editorial of the University of Almeria (Spain) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Purpose: Nursing student retention is essential to meet workforce demands. Jeffreys' Nursing Student Retention Student Perception Appraisal-Revised (SPA-R1) has been used extensively to understand factors that impact retention. Psychometric testing of the SPA-R1 contributes to greater confidence in the instrument's reliability and validity. Methods: Item response theory and specifically, the single parameter polytomous Rasch model was used as a framework for fit statistic testing and rating scale diagnostics of the SPA-R1. This was a secondary analysis of a convenience sample of undergraduate prelicensure nursing students. The setting for the previous study was virtual, and the study period was 2022. Results: The model item characteristic curves for the 27 items of the SPA-R1 have similar shapes and are clustered in proximity. Overall, there are three clusters of items evident in the Rasch standardized residual contrast. The Rasch scale diagnostics indicated that the scale appropriately monotonically increases. However, there is a greater than 5 logit distance between does not apply and severely restricts, between severely restricts and moderately restricts, and between does not restrict or support and moderately supports. These large threshold distances indicate that additional steps in the scale may be warranted. The items cover the mid-range of the amount of retention perceptions; however, there are no items that represent the highest magnitude of the perceived amount of influence on retention. Conclusions: This study contributes further evidence to support the validity and reliability of the SPA-R1. We recommend adding steps to the scale, removing the does not apply response option, and considering scoring by three domains or clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching chemistry is a complex subject that requires a certain level of knowledge and skills to understand. Students must overcome this challenge because teaching chemistry involves abstract ideas (atoms, molecules, and electrons) and principles, laws, reaction equations, and mathematical operations. Increasing academic resilience is important in enhancing students' understanding and well-being in learning. This research aimed to test the validity and reliability of students' chemistry academic resilience tests using the Rasch model. Data collection was conducted using Google Forms. Data analysis utilized the Rasch model, assisted by the Winstep application, to reveal various aspects of the assessment. Based on the research findings, a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.78 indicates strong internal consistency. In addition, item reliability reached a significant value of 0.99, while person reliability of 0.78 confirmed the consistency of respondents in providing accurate answers in the assessed categories. Furthermore, the OUTFIT and INFIT MNSQ (persons) have average values of +1.02 and +1.01, respectively (the closer to 1, the better). In contrast, the INFIT and OUTFIT ZSTD values are 0.1 and 0.3, respectively (the closer to 0, the better). The most difficult question is coded ra11 with a logit score of 0.61, and the easiest is coded ra4 with a logit score of -0.05. Therefore, the student academic resilience instrument is an effective measuring tool. In the future, chemistry educators and researchers can benefit from the potential impact of this research on Indonesian education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is an ongoing debate on the appropriateness of actuarial tools with women. Such tools were developed with data collected mainly from convicted men and were then applied to convicted women. The LS/CMI, the most widely known and used instrument to assess criminogenic needs and evaluate the risk of recidivism, is one such scale. Within this debate, some argue that the LS/CMI works just as well with both genders and some argue that, despite its good predictive validity with women, the LS/CMI doesn't consider their very own pathways into crime and is, therefore, unfit for women. Methods: We conducted a Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis of the LS/CMI items using Raju's method with data fitted into a Rasch model to determine which items seem biased and to what extent. We also compared predictive validity coefficients to see if the LS/CMI dimensions and total scores predict criminal recidivism similarly between men or women. Results: Several items of the LS/CMI seem much easier to endorse for men then they are for women. Significant differences were observed with intermediate and large effect size in many dimensions. Despite the discrepancies found at the item level of the LS/CMI, very few differences in predictive validity were found at the dimension and test level. Conclusions: Our study gives credence to both sides in the debate on the appropriateness of risk tools with women. Those defending the gender neutrality of the LS/CMI will likely highlight how similarly it predicts male and female criminal recidivism, regardless of the differences expected and found at the item level. Those arguing against its neutrality will highlight how several items of the LS/CMI seem biased and unable to distinguish male and female pathways into crime, even though the tool, as a whole, predicts recidivism just as well with women, even slightly better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Methods Results Conclusions The Rasch‐Built Pompe‐Specific Activity (R‐PAct) scale is a patient‐reported outcome measure specifically designed to quantify the effects of Pompe disease on daily life activities, developed for use in Dutch‐ and English‐speaking countries. This study aimed to validate the R‐PAct for use in other countries.Four other language versions (German, French, Italian, and Spanish) of the R‐PAct were created and distributed among Pompe patients (≥16 years old) in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland and pooled with data of newly diagnosed patients from Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK and the original validation cohort (n = 186). The psychometric properties of the scale were assessed by exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis.Data for 520 patients were eligible for analysis. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that the items separated into two domains: Activities of Daily Living and Mobility. Both domains independently displayed adequate Rasch model measurement properties, following the removal of one item ("Are you able to practice a sport?") from the Mobility domain, and can be added together to form a "higher order" factor as well. Differential item functioning (DIF)‐by‐language assessment indicated DIF for several items; however, the impact of accounting for DIF was negligible. We recalibrated the nomogram (raw score interval‐level transformation) for the updated 17‐item R‐PAct scale. The minimal detectable change value was 13.85 for the overall R‐PAct.After removing one item, the modified‐R‐PAct scale is a valid disease‐specific patient‐reported outcome measure for patients with Pompe disease across multiple countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is imperative to use a validated tool to measure and understand health behavior as it greatly impacts health status. It has been demonstrated that the Health Behavior Inventory - Short Form (HBI-SF) is valid in several countries. The purpose of this study was to translate the HBI-SF into Chinese and test its psychometric properties. Methods: This study employed a two-phase methodology. The phase one entailed the cross-cultural adaptation of the HBI-SF, while the subsequent phase evaluated the psychometric properties of the scale. This evaluation encompassed classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) tests to assess reliability and validity. It involved 1058 participants, of whom 1036 completed the questionnaire successfully. Out of these, 518 were analyzed for CTT, along with 518 for IRT. Results: The S-CVI was found to be 0.935, while the I‐CVI ranged from 0.889 to 1.000. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis suggested the goodness-of-fit indices for the four-factor model was acceptable. Regarding the subscales, the average variance extracted (AVE) and Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio of Correlations (HTMT) matrix also met the cutoff values (AVE > 0.5 and HTMI < 0.85). Furthermore, the internal consistency and composite reliability indices of all factors were greater than 0.7. Infit and/or outfit values indicated that all items fitted the Rasch model. The Wright map revealed that the average person measures for the participants (mean = − 0.994, SD = 0.430) were comparatively lower than the average item measures (mean = 0.000, SD = 0.257). The person separation reliability values for the four factors ranged from 0.600 to 0.746, indicating an acceptable level of reliability. Two items showed differential item functioning. Conclusions: The findings derived from both CTT and IRT analyses demonstrate favorable levels of reliability and validity for the Chinese version of the HBI-SF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze English discourse more accurately and provide more detailed feedback information, this study applies Rasch measurement and Conditional Random Field (CRF) models to English discourse analysis. The Rasch measurement model is widely used to evaluate and quantify the potential traits of individuals, and it has remarkable advantages in measurement and evaluation. By combining the CRF model, the Rasch model is employed to model the structural and semantic information in the discourse and use this model to carry out sequence labeling, to enhance the ability to capture the internal relations of the discourse. Finally, this study conducts comparative experiments on integrating the Rasch measurement and CRF models, comparing the outcomes against traditional scoring methods and the standalone CRF model. The research findings indicate that: (1) The discourse component syntactic analysis model on the Penn Treebank (PTB) database obtained Unlabeled Attachment Score (UAS) values of 94.07, 95.76, 95.67, and 95.43, and Labeled Attachment Score (LAS) values of 92.47, 92.33, 92.49, and 92.46 for the LOC, CRF, CRF2O, and MFVI models, respectively. After adding the Rasch measurement model, the UAS values of the four models on the PTB database are 96.85, 96.77, 96.92, and 96.78 for the LOC, CRF, CRF2O, and MFVI models, respectively, with LAS values of 95.33, 95.34, 95.39, and 95.32, all showing significant improvement. (2) By combining contextual information with CRF models, students can better understand their discourse expression, capture the connections between English discourse sentences, and analyze English discourse more comprehensively. This study provides new ideas and methods for researchers in English language education and linguistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMaterials and methodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale using the 5-option response categories for individuals with lower limb amputation (ABC-5/Ar).This was a methodological study on a convenience sample of individuals with unilateral lower-limb amputation attending outpatient rehabilitation centres in Saudi Arabia and Turkey (N = 155). Rasch analysis (WINSTEPS version 4.6.5) was used to examine the 5-categories rating scale structure, item fit, item difficulty hierarchy, person separation index, unidimensionality, local item dependency, and differential item functioning.The ABC-5/Ar 5-response option demonstrated an appropriate model fit. Most items fit the Rasch model, except for item #12 “walk in a crowded mall,” which showed an overfitting value of 0.63. The person separation indices 2.95 (Cronbach’s α = 0.96). Principal component analysis of residuals confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale; however, local dependency was detected between item #14 “Ride in escalator holding rail,” and item #15 “Ride in escalator not holding rail.”The findings suggest that the ABC-5/Ar shows promise in assessing balance confidence in Arabic-speaking lower-limb prosthesis users. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and in diverse clinical contexts are needed to confirm its effectiveness in various clinical settings.Overall, our Rasch-based study provides additional evidence to support the psychometric appropriateness of using the Activity-specific Balance Confidence scale with the 5-category options (ABC-5) of the Arabic version among lower prosthesis users.Clinicians and researchers should be mindful of cultural and contextual differences that exist among Arabic-speaking population which may influence how participants responded to certain items in the scale.It is essential to conduct a comprehensive psychometric evaluation to guide the implementation and interpretation of scales, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries due to the scarcity of validated and standardised outcome measures to assess prosthesis users’ confidenceOverall, our Rasch-based study provides additional evidence to support the psychometric appropriateness of using the Activity-specific Balance Confidence scale with the 5-category options (ABC-5) of the Arabic version among lower prosthesis users.Clinicians and researchers should be mindful of cultural and contextual differences that exist among Arabic-speaking population which may influence how participants responded to certain items in the scale.It is essential to conduct a comprehensive psychometric evaluation to guide the implementation and interpretation of scales, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries due to the scarcity of validated and standardised outcome measures to assess prosthesis users’ confidence [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aim Methods Results Conclusion The FACE‐Q Aesthetics is used extensively to measure patient reported outcomes for minimally invasive and surgical facial aesthetic treatments. We recently developed a new FACE‐Q scale to assess satisfaction with the appearance of the temples.The aim of this study was to field test the FACE‐Q Satisfaction with Temples scale to examine its psychometric properties.The FACE‐Q Satisfaction with Temples scale was administered to 171 adults (22 years or older) seeking minimally invasive treatment to improve temple hollowing as part of a clinical trial. The severity of temple hollowing was established through the clinician‐reported Allergan Temple Hollowing scale (clinician‐rated). The psychometric properties of the FACE‐Q Satisfaction with Temples scale were established by testing Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT) assumptions and model fit; unidimensionality by principal component analysis; and construct validity by hypothesis testing.The study sample consisted of 171 adults (mean age 54.7 ± 9.9, range, 25–82 years). RMT analysis provided evidence for the scientific soundness of a 12‐item Satisfaction with Temples scale. The data fit the Rasch model (χ2 = 20.47, df = 24, p = 0.67), all items had ordered thresholds, and good item fit. Scale reliability was high, with Person Separation Index and Cronbach alpha values with and without extremes ≥0.93. Principal component analysis revealed a single component with high factor coefficients. Construct validity was established as scores for the Satisfaction with Temples and Face Overall scales were correlated (r = 0.623, p < 0.001).The FACE‐Q Satisfaction with Temples scale is a reliable and valid measure that can be used in clinical practice and research to measure outcomes following treatment for temple hollowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to differentiate clinically meaningful improvement or deterioration from normal fluctuations in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) following severe brain injury. We computed indices of responsiveness for the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) using data from a clinical trial of 180 participants with DoC. We used CRS-R scores from baseline (enrollment in a clinical trial) and a 4-week follow-up assessment period for these calculations. To improve precision, we transformed ordinal CRS-R total scores (0–23 points) to equal-interval measures on a 0–100 unit scale using Rasch Measurement theory. Using the 0–100 unit total Rasch measures, we calculated distribution-based 0.5 standard deviation (SD) minimal clinically important difference, minimal detectable change using 95% confidence intervals, and conditional minimal detectable change using 95% confidence intervals. The distribution-based minimal clinically important difference evaluates group-level changes, whereas the minimal detectable change values evaluate individual-level changes. The minimal clinically important difference and minimal detectable change are derived using the overall variability across total measures at baseline and 4 weeks. The conditional minimal detectable change is generated for each possible pair of CRS-R Rasch person measures and accounts for variation in standard error across the scale. We applied these indices to determine the proportions of participants who made a change beyond measurement error within each of the two subgroups, based on treatment arm (amantadine hydrochloride or placebo) or categorization of baseline Rasch person measure to states of consciousness (i.e., unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and minimally conscious state). We compared the proportion of participants in each treatment arm who made a change according to the minimal detectable change and determined whether they also changed to another state of consciousness. CRS-R indices of responsiveness (using the 0–100 transformed scale) were as follows: 0.5SD minimal clinically important difference = 9 units, minimal detectable change = 11 units, and the conditional minimal detectable change ranged from 11 to 42 units. For the amantadine and placebo groups, 70% and 58% of participants showed change beyond measurement error using the minimal detectable change, respectively. For the unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and minimally conscious state groups, 54% and 69% of participants changed beyond measurement error using the minimal detectable change, respectively. Among 115 participants (64% of the total sample) who made a change beyond measurement error, 29 participants (25%) did not change state of consciousness. CRS-R indices of responsiveness can support clinicians and researchers in discerning when behavioral changes in patients with DoC exceed measurement error. Notably, the minimal detectable change can support the detection of patients who make a "true" change within or across states of consciousness. Our findings highlight that the continued use of ordinal scores may result in incorrect inferences about the degree and relevance of a change score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To translate the the Utah Photophobia Symptom Impact Scale-12 questionnaire into Persian and assess the psychometric aspects to check its validity and reliability based on the Rasch modelling method. Translation and cultural adjustment of the English language UPSIS-12 questionnaire to Persian was undertaken. A total of 61 patients with complaints of photophobia participated in evaluating validity and reliability aspects. All the participants were asked to complete the Persian translation of the UPSIS-12 questionnaire. Rasch analyses of the survey items were conducted using WINSTEPS. All items fit the Rasch model. Point-measure correlation values varied from 0.41 to 0.77, providing a preliminary indication of adequate construct validity. All factor loadings were found more than 0.4. All items obtained infit and outfit mean square (MnSq) values of < 2.0. All participants except 5 had normal outfit values. Patients' abilities relative to the items' difficulty were analysed. Item difficulty was estimated and item characteristic curves were included. Sufficient unidimensionality, hierarchical order, and equal interval scoring were obtained. In conclusion, the Persian UPSIS-10 questionnaire has excellent psychometric properties and it will be valuable in both clinical practice and research. It will help Persian practitioners to assess their patients' photophobia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder characterised by an urge to move arms and legs, usually associated with discomfort, pain, motor restlessness, and sleep disturbance. An individually adapted treatment is needed but difficult to optimise, which makes shared decision‐making (SDM) important. However, brief validated instruments on how patients with RLS perceive their involvement in treatment decisions are lacking. Therefore, the aim was to validate two instruments, SURE (Sure of myself, Understand information, Risk–benefit ratio, Encouragement, i.e., to assess decisional conflict) and CollaboRATE (brief patient survey focused on SDM, i.e., to assess SDM), in patients with RLS. A cross‐sectional design, including 788 participants with RLS (65% females, mean [SD] age 70.8 [11.4] years) from a national patient organisation for RLS, was used. A postal survey was sent out to collect data regarding weight, height, comorbidities, demographics, and RLS‐related treatment data. The following instruments were included: the SURE, CollaboRATE, Restless Legs Syndrome‐6 Scale, and eHealth Literacy Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch models were used to assess the validity and reliability of the SURE and CollaboRATE. Measurement invariance, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning (DIF) across age, gender, and medication groups were assessed. The SURE and CollaboRATE were both identified as unidimensional instruments with satisfactory internal consistency. No DIF across age and gender was identified, while significant DIF was observed for both the SURE and CollaboRATE regarding medication use categories. However, both the SURE and CollaboRATE are potential instruments to be used in research, but also as reflection tools by healthcare professionals, patients, and students to explore and assess SDM, and support its development in clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjective creativity assessments that are originally developed as the Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT) rely on human raters to score creativity of the products. A few controversial issues in this approach are related to tasks, subjects, raters' qualifications and performance, and methods for analyzing rating scores. This study addressed these issues under the theoretical framework of rater-mediated assessment and Rasch measurement theory. Data were collected from three groups of raters with different levels of expertise who assessed creativity of 24 6th graders in gifted and nongifted classes in two science tasks. Results indicated that (a) nongifted students showed higher creativity than gifted students in two science tasks, (b) three groups of raters had comparable scoring performances of creativity in two tasks, (c) only one rater exhibited differential rater functioning between nongifted and gifted students, but a few raters showed differential scoring between two science tasks. Implications of using rater-mediated assessment and Many-Facet Rasch measurement model to understand subjective creativity assessments are discussed, and future studies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: To investigate the construct validity of the Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR), an assessment of independent joint motion in infants with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: BabyOSCAR was scored for 75 infants (45 with CP and 30 without CP). Rasch analysis was used in combination with classical test theory to assess areas of strength or improvement. Overall fit and precision, unidimensionality, local independence, reliability indices, Wright's child‐item map, and differential item functioning were examined as part of Rasch analysis to investigate the item properties, internal construct validity, and reliability of BabyOSCAR. Cronbach's α was used to evaluate items' internal consistency. Results: Analysis demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model, with only one erratic item. Unidimensionality results suggest two dimensions, split between arm and leg items. Item calibration reliability was between 0.84 and 0.86, with three distinct item difficulty levels. Infant measure reliability was between 0.82 and 0.91, separating infants into three ability levels. Together, the two subscales covered the full range of skills, with redundancy mostly between the same motion on both sides of the body. Cronbach's α was between 0.90 and 0.95. Interpretation: BabyOSCAR's construct validity was supported. Arm and leg subscales can be translated to a logit scale. What this paper adds: Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR) has excellent construct validity with good overall fit and precision.Individual BabyOSCAR items contribute and work well together, forming an interval‐level assessment.BabyOSCAR has two separate subscales, arms and legs, that complement each other.BabyOSCAR's items represent a continuum of skills with three distinct difficulty levels.BabyOSCAR's continuum of skills reliably separates infants into three ability levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life in the twenty-first century requires education to integrate knowledge, attitudes, skills, and mastery of information and communication technology (ICT). An example of the skills needed in the twenty-first century is computational thinking. This study aims to develop computational thinking-skill tasks on numbers and arithmetic based on the Riau Malay culture. A research and development (R&D) method was employed with a 4-D model, which consists of four stages, namely definition, design, development, and dissemination. Furthermore, the tasks developed were validated by two mathematics education experts and tested to 33 fifth-grade students from a public school in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. The Rasch model was used to analyse the data, and the result showed that 23 valid tasks were obtained from 24 items. This implies that the tasks of assessing the computational thinking skills in the context of Riau Malay culture satisfy the valid and reliable criteria and are useful for further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crises are unavoidable in the sport world, and their relationship with reputation is inextricable. Protecting its reputation is a top priority for a sport organization in a crisis; thus, developing a valid and reliable instrument should be a precedent. In this study, Rasch analysis was applied to evaluate a 10-item Organizational Reputation Scale (ORP), extensively used in general and sport communication research, but whose development was made under classical test theory. This traditional method has several limitations (i.e., item and sample dependencies, nonaddictive features of ordinal data, and item category functioning). The main purposes of the study were to calibrate ORP items and evaluate their category functions. A total of 373 sport fans responded to the ORP on a 5-point Likert scale. Several analytic steps were applied to provide psychometric properties of each item in the ORP. The findings provided evidence that supports the unidimensional structure of the ORP with eight items. All items and a person's ability exhibited satisfactory levels of variability along the continuum. The 5-category rating scale in Likert format functioned properly. As a better alternative to classical test theory, Rasch analysis provided information about the practicality of each ORP item in measuring individuals' perceptual level of an organization's reputation within a sport setting. Our study proposed some insights for enhancing each item's quality and encouraging future scholars to make informed decisions when using the ORP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale Aims & Objectives Method Results Conclusion Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are widely used for assessing clinical competence, especially in high‐stakes environments such as medical licensure. However, the reuse of OSCE cases across multiple administrations raises concerns about parameter stability, known as item parameter drift (IPD).This study aims to investigate IPD in reused OSCE cases while accounting for examiner scoring effects using a Many‐facet Rasch Measurement (MFRM) model.Data from 12 OSCE cases, reused over seven administrations of the Internationally Educated Nurse Competency Assessment Program (IENCAP), were analyzed using the MFRM model. Each case was treated as an item, and examiner scoring effects were accounted for in the analysis.The results indicated that despite accounting for examiner effects, all cases exhibited some level of IPD, with an average absolute IPD of 0.21 logits. Three cases showed positive directional trends. IPD significantly affected score decisions in 1.19% of estimates, at an invariance violation of 0.58 logits.These findings suggest that while OSCE cases demonstrate sufficient stability for reuse, continuous monitoring is essential to ensure the accuracy of score interpretations and decisions. The study provides an objective threshold for detecting concerning levels of IPD and underscores the importance of addressing examiner scoring effects in OSCE assessments. The MFRM model offers a robust framework for tracking and mitigating IPD, contributing to the validity and reliability of OSCEs in evaluating clinical competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMokken Scale Analysis (MSA) is a nonparametric approach that offers exploratory tools for understanding the nature of item responses while emphasizing invariance requirements. MSA is often discussed as it relates to Rasch measurement theory, which also emphasizes invariance, but uses parametric models. Researchers who have compared and combined MSA and Rasch approaches have generally concluded that these approaches offer complementary perspectives. However, researchers have not considered how the two approaches may provide insight related to examinee subgroups. Using a simulation and illustrative real data analysis, we propose an exploratory approach to integrating MSA and Rasch techniques to understand item fit as it relates to differences in item characteristics between examinee subgroups. Our results suggest that integrating complete-sample and subgroup-level MSA and Rasch model item fit analyses can provide insight into differences in item quality between subgroups. In some cases, misfit at the complete sample level corresponds to subgroup-related differences. On the other hand, fit at the complete sample level does not guarantee consistent measurement properties within subgroups. When subgroups are important for scale interpretation and use, our results suggest that conducting separate analyses within groups and considering their results with respect to those from the full sample may lend useful insight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a validation study of the Exercise Planning and Scheduling (EPS), and Goal-Setting (EGS) Scales, which were translated from English to Brazilian Portuguese, we aim to: present evidence of reliability and validity for the translated scale; and, explore the effects of non-labeled response categories of rating scales. The sample comprised 446 Brazilians, 82.5% female with a mean age of 32.89 (±12.21) years. The McDonald’s ω was 0.883 and 0.899 for EPS and EGS, respectively. Descriptive data and the Rasch Models confirmed that participants tended to endorse labeled categories on 5-point Likert-type scales. The model tested with the revised response scale presented better fit indices and lower values of residual statistics than the original one. These findings contribute psychometric evidence on a translated scale that could be used in future health promotion initiatives, and suggest a psychometric characteristic – response category labeling – that warrants future attention in measurement development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patients/Methods Results Conclusion Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) for hair loss focus mainly on Alopecia Areata. We created a PROM (i.e., HAIR‐Q) that is applicable to any hair loss condition. The HAIR‐Q measures satisfaction with hair.Concept elicitation interviews were conducted and analyzed to develop a draft scale. Content validity was established through multiple rounds of patient and expert input. Psychometric properties of the scale were examined in an online sample (i.e., Prolific) using Rasch measurement theory (RMT) analysis. Test–retest reliability and tests of construct validation were examined.Content validity of a 22‐item draft scale was established with input from 11 patients, 12 experts and an online Prolific sample of 59 people who had a variety of hair loss treatments. In the RMT analysis (n = 390), 8 items were dropped. Data for the 14‐item scale fit the Rasch model (χ2 = 89.85, df = 70, p = 0.06). All 14 items had ordered thresholds and good item fit. Reliability was high with person separation index and Cronbach alpha values ≥0.91, and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.94 based on a sample of 97 participants. Higher (better) scores on the scale were associated with having more hair, looking younger than ones' age, satisfaction with hair overall, being less bothered by hair loss, and for those who had a hair loss treatment in the past year, being more satisfied with their hair now than before treatment (p < 0.001).The HAIR‐Q evidenced reliability and validity and can be used in research and to inform clinical care to measure satisfaction with hair from the patient perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an online learning environment, it is important to establish a suitable assessment approach that can be adapted on the fly to accommodate the varying learning paces of students. At the same time, it is essential that assessment criteria remain compliant with the expected learning outcomes of the relevant education standard which predominantly utilizes a competency-based curriculum such as in Indonesia. The aim of the research in this paper is to improve the adaptiveness of questions in the existing Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) model by taking into consideration multiple aspects of user context. We propose a context-based question selection model based on competency evaluation by merging four methods of Classical Test Theory, Rasch Model, Linear and Quadratic models, and the combination of branching and item adaptive methods to select questions of suitable difficulty for each individual student. To evaluate the proposed model, we conducted experiments based on a real dataset of 689 elementary school students in Indonesia. The experiment results prove the effectiveness of the proposed model in terms of accuracy in predicting the appropriateness of the questions in relation to the students' ability. This adaptive assessment method which accurately builds upon the students' competency level will support students' success in the online learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper reports systematic variations of people's attitudes toward gender and gendered roles between countries and regions in Europe, making regional and national comparisons simultaneously visible on the same scale over time. We operationalized the concept of "gender attitudes" by using a fresh combination of items among those administered by the European Values Survey (in 2008 and in 2017) whose sampling strategy is statistically representative at both national and regional level. Then, we validated our proposed measure by using the Rasch model to test its measurement invariance across European countries and regions, and over time. We included regions under the hypothesis that the variability of gender attitudes is primarily attributable to the local sociocultural milieu people live in, and thus that the variability within a country (e.g., at regional level) can be even larger than that between countries, as confirmed by a multilevel analysis. Results confirmed our hypothesis that sub-national variability can be larger than that between countries and suggested that the regional-national issue may be relevant more widely (e.g., for America, South Asia, Australasia) than the European "case" reported here. Therefore, policies promoting equity should account for regional variability to design appropriate interventions. The measure we validated at both national and regional level is ready to be used in further/other research in Social Sciences. Plain language summary: Previous studies have shown that people's attitudes toward gender and gendered roles are socially, culturally, historically and thus geographically situated. Previous research has thus investigated such a concept longitudinally (to understand if/how it has evolved over time) and across cultures and geographies (e.g., between countries). Nonetheless, very little research (if any) has investigated gender attitudes at sub-national level, e.g. region to region within the same country. The current paper aims to fill this gap. We developed and validated a new scale to measure gender attitudes at regional level, in each European country. Results confirmed our hypothesis that gender attitudes are primarily attributable to local social and cultural factors, and suggested that policy and/or research based on nationally aggregated data should pause and focus on regional (more than on national) data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to collect validity evidence based on the content of the items and the internal structure of the Prosocial Behavior Scale (Auné & Attorresi, 2017), in order to obtain a preliminary adaptation for the Colombian population. Regarding the content of the items, the experts approved nine of the fifteen items, adjustments were made to five items and it was decided to eliminate one item. The overall agreement among the three most demanding experts was 73.33% with a Fleiss Kappa k=0.585 and p=0.000. The Helping dimension had reliabilities α=0.85 and ω=0.83 and in the Comforting the other dimension an α=0.77 and ω=0.58. The factorial structure of the two-dimensional model integrated with the dimensions Helping and Comforting the other was confirmed, with goodness-of-fit indices NFI=0.958, NNFI=0.979, CFI=0.982, TLI=0.979 and RMSEA=0.046. This structure was invariant with configural, metric, scalar and residual restriction between men and women. The calibration of the items with the Rasch model allowed to identify that people who invest their free time in helping, added to the willingness to provide physical support to others, are those who present the highest levels of prosocial behaviour. These evidences support the use of the questionnaire in Colombia for research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on rater severity and consistency and their relation to different types of rater experience over a long period of time. The article is based on longitudinal data collected from 2009 to 2019 from the second language Finnish speaking subtest in the National Certificates of Language Proficiency in Finland. The study investigated whether rater severity and consistency are affected differently by different types of rater experience and by skipping rating sessions. The data consisted of 45 rating sessions with 104 raters and 59,899 examinees and were analyzed using the many-facet Rasch model and generalized linear mixed models. The results showed that when the raters gained more rating experience, they became slightly more lenient, but different types of experience had quantitatively different magnitudes of impact. In addition, skipping rating sessions, and in that way disconnecting from the rater community, increased the likelihood of a rater to be inconsistent. Finally, we provide methodological recommendations for future research and consider implications for practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]