Validation of rating scales in psychiatry.
Statistical analysis of psychiatric research requires the translation of qualitative data into quantitative form. This can be achieved using rating scales. However, the reliability and the validity, i.e. the validation of these scales, presents significant problems; these shall be outlined in this article.
Tyrer
P
P
Department of Community Psychiatry, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London.
Henderson
F
F
McDermott
U
U
D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity