Using cognitive interviewing for test items to assess physical function in children with cerebral palsy.
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.
Dumas
Helene M
HM
Research Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts 02135, USA. E-mail: hdumas@fhfc.org
Watson
Kyle
K
Fragala-Pinkham
Maria A
MA
Haley
Stephen M
SM
Bilodeau
Nathalie
N
Montpetit
Kathleen
K
Gorton
George E
GE
Mulcahey
M J
MJ
Tucker
Carole A
CA
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