title: Use of mean morphological units to assess language development.
abstract: The intent of this study was to determine what size language sample was needed in order to obtain a reliable index of mean morphological units. Shriner (1967) suggested that 50 sentences were necessary for obtaining a mean length of response and a length complexity index. Brown (1973) recommended using 100 sentences when determining mean morphological units. However, other investigators (Schneiderman, 1955; Griffith and Miner, 1969) said that as few as 15 sentences could serve to provide enough data for reliable estimates of mean length of response and a length complexity index. For a practitioner, knowing that the first 15 sentences produced would be a reliable estimate of overall language ability would be of substantial benefit. Obtaining, transcribing, and analyzing 15 sentences takes about 20 min. The results of this study show that as few as 15 sentences are adequate for determining a reliable index of mean morphological units.
mesh_terms: D002663:Child Language; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007807:Language Tests / Q000379:methods*