title: [Methods of psychometric evaluation in geriatrics. Choice of an instrument and its reliability criteria].
abstract: As evaluation of patients functioning has become the key-stone of geriatric practice, the appropriated choice of a measuring instrument is of great importance. This article reviews rules and guidelines for a general approach to the orientation of this choice as well as the criteria of reliability of the chosen instrument. Starting from the principle that there is no universal instrument, but only instruments which are more or less adapted to the various requirements, the general characteristics which determine this choice are examined and discussed one by one. They concern the purpose, the study population, the rater, the applications and the variables, the type of instrument and the validation works. The various forms of validity, reliability and sensitivity are listed and defined. These criteria of reliability apply essentially to psychometric instruments with quantitative criteria of measurement, but not to clinical tests which have a qualitative evaluation and which are widely used in neurology. In geriatrics, particular attention should be paid to instruments with a high and demonstrated "face validity".
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*
vernacular_title: Méthodes d'évaluations psychométriques en gériatrie. Le choix d'un instrument et ses critères de fiabilité.