title: Using cognitive interviewing for test items to assess physical function in children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the content, format, and comprehension of test items and responses developed for use in a computer adaptive test (CAT) of physical function for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  After training in cognitive interviewing techniques, investigators defined item intent and developed questions for each item. Parents of children with CP (n = 27) participated in interviews probing item meaning, item wording, and response choice adequacy and appropriateness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Qualitative analysis identified 3 themes: item clarity; relevance, context, and attribution; and problems with wording or tone. Parents reported the importance of delineating task components, assistance amount, and environmental context.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive interviewing provided valuable information about the validity of new items and insight to improve relevance and context. We believe that the development of CATs in pediatric rehabilitation may ultimately reduce the impact of the issues identified.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, USA. E-mail: hdumas@fhfc.org
authors.forename: Helene M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Dumas
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fragala-Pinkham
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bilodeau
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Montpetit
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gorton
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mulcahey
authors.forename: Carole A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index