Showing papers on "Intra-rater reliability published in 1995"

Reliability and Security

Abstract: Considerable commonality exists between reliability and security. Both are weak-link phenomena. Good design involves avoiding single weak links. However, on many occasions, multiple weak links can be, and have been, known to occur — accidentally or intentionally.

Reliability: consistency and accuracy in measurement

Abstract: This article explores the issue of reliability in measurement which is a key factor in determining the credibility of research findings.

Cognitive assessment in the acute care setting: reliability and validity of the Levels of Cognitive Functioning Assessment Scale (LOCFAS).

Abstract: Nurses have responsibility for accurate assessment of cognitive functioning for traumatic brain injured (TBI) patients early in the posttrauma period to enhance rehabilitation with appropriate care planning. To meet this need the Levels of Cognitive Functioning Assessment Scale (LOCFAS) was adapted from the Rancho Los Amigo Levels of Cognitive Functioning instrument. One validity and three reliability studies were conducted using videotapes of five TBI patients at different levels of cognitive functioning. Interrater and intrarater reliability was assessed using coefficient kappa. With raters experienced in assessing cognitive functioning, agreement among cognitive levels was 1.00 with a mean agreement of .997 (SD = .006) for individual items. With inexperienced raters in cognitive assessment, mean agreement for levels was .839 (SD = .120) and for individual items, .830 (SD = .052) Intrarater reliability, after a two-week interval, yielded a mean agreement of .860 (SD = .088) for levels. Criterion-related validity of the LOCFAS was demonstrated by correlating it with the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning scale. The resultant Pearson r correlation was .929. Implications for nursing practice and nursing education are discussed.

Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the occupational therapy diagnosis.

Abstract: A registration form based on the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) was developed and its reliability as a registration of occupational therapy (OT) diagnosis was assessed. Fifty patients from a psychiatric hospital and 57 patients from a rehabilitation center participated in this study. Reliability was determined using two measures: the percentage of agreement and Cohen's kappa. Findings of this study indicate that the reliability of the assessments of functional deficits of the patients by occupational therapists is satisfactory to very good. In the rehabilitation center all items, and in the psychiatric hospital 88% of the items, had a kappa value higher than .45. This implies that the registration form can be used in survey research.

Intrarater test-retest reliability of an instrument used to measure back and leg strength

Abstract: Although investigations have been performed establishing the reliability of portable instruments designed to measure upper extremity strength, little research exists concerning the reliability of portable back and lower extremity "isometric dynamome­ ters. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish the intrarater reliability of one commercially available isometric dynamometer: the TEC isometric back, leg, and chest dynamometer. Subjects consisted of 27 volunteers (14 males and 13 females), with a mean age of 26.3 ± 4.5 years, who reported no back or lower extremity pathologies. Back and leg strength were measured standing in three positions: (1) knees extended, hips flexed, maintaining lumbar lordosis; (2) knees extended, hips flexed, spine flexed; (3) knees flexed, hips flexed, maintaining lumbar lordosis. The testing occurred on two occasions, separated by 1 week. Data analysis using intraclass correlations indicated reliability coefficients for all positions were over 0.97. These results indicate excellent intrarater reliability in each of the three testing positions using the TEC isometric back, leg, and chest dynamometer to evaluate healthy individuals.

Concurrent Validity, Inter-Tester and Intra-Tester Reliability of Goniometric Measurement of Active Elbow Range of Motion Using 4 Different Types of Measuring Instruments

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity and reliability of goniometric measurement of joint motion. Subjects were 40 healthy university students. Measurements were performed by 4 inexperienced physical therapy students. Four different instruments were used and three readings were taken with each instrument in random order making a total of 12 readings for flexion of the right elbow of each subject. Goniometers used were 1. universal 2. fluid-based goniometer/inclinometer 3. digital LCD goniometer 4. electronic goniometer/torsiometer. The results were as follows: Concurrent validity was highest (r= .94) with the universal and digital LCD tools. Interrater reliability (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) was good for each tool. Interrater reliability calculated by ICC(2,1) was highest (.96) with the tensiometer and lowest (.78) with the digital LCD goniometer. Intrarater reliability calculated by ICC was excellent () for all instruments. These results show that concurrent validity, intrarater and interrater reliability are very good in the used of all four types of goniometers/inclinometer/tensiometer, even with inexperienced raters. These results confirm the almost universal reliance on hand held goniometers for joint measurement by physical therapists as being a reliable practice. Further research should be done clinically with actual patients.