To be classified as a tool with strong psychometric properties, it needs to be both valid and reliable. However, a measurement or tool can be reliable without being valid (consistent over time, but not measuring the construct of interest). If a measurement is valid, it is always reliable. A tool that is not consistent cannot produce a meaningful measurement. ![]() Validity implies that a tool is relatively free from error. Is the tool measuring the construct it is intended to? For example: does the goniometer truly measure range of motion? Validity refers to the tool's ability to measure what it is supposed to measure. The nature of measurement represents quantifying (measuring) bodily characteristics for example: level of pain, range of motion, strength, or functional outcomes. The usefulness of measurement in clinical research or practice helps with decision making and measuring progress during rehabilitation. This is achieved through the use of clinical tools with patients. Researchers and clinicians use measurement as a way of quantifying, understanding, evaluating and differentiating physical characteristics of the human body. Measurement instruments play an important role in research, clinical practice and health assessment. For the remainder of the page, the term "tool" will apply to describe all of these categories.įigure 1 Level of Measurement Psychometric properties can be applied to questionnaires, outcome measures, clinical tools, scales or special tests. Having confidence in clinical tools means that they measure what they are intended to measure ( validity), they are stable over time ( reliability) and can detect changes in conditions ( responsiveness). Collectively, this is called looking at the psychometric properties (or methodological qualities) of a tool, scale or outcome measure. In rehabilitation medicine, psychometrics usually measure individual parameters such as physical characteristics, ability, perception of change, pain, and functional ability. Psychometrics is the field of mathematics that is concerned with the statistical description of instrumental data as variables and with the inferential statistical description of the relationships between variables. ![]() Our clinical reasoning and research suggestions can only be as strong as the tools we use. Whether you identify as a student, clinician or researcher having confidence in what you use as a professional is important. Clinicians and researchers use various tools on a daily basis for clinical assessments and evaluations, measuring change over time and establishing prognosis for patients.
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