Journal
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Volume 62, Issue 1, Pages 37-46Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.03.002
Keywords
Inability to read; Psychometrics; Likert; Rasch; Quality of life; Scale
Funding
- CAPES
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objectives: To assess the effect of inability to read on a five-point Likert scale, using the WHOQOL-BREF response scale. It is hypothesized that inability to read is related to loss of discriminant power among the five-category response scale. Study Design and Setting: In a cross-sectional design, nonreaders (n = 141) and subjects educated at a graduate level (n - 907) were assessed. Statistical analyses combined classic and modern psychometric approaches (Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis). Results: There is a remarkable difference in the psychometric performance of items across the two subgroups. Fit indexes proved to be closer to the ideal for the graduate group, but not for the nonreader group. Reducing the number of response categories improved the model exclusively for the nonreader sample. Nonreaders do not interpret the scale as a true five-category scale, but exhibit a response pattern indicative that only three categories are in fact considered. Conclusion: These results confirm the hypothesis that a multiple-category response scale is not suitable for nonreaders. They suggest that a simpler response scale should be adopted to achieve a more reliable and satisfactory psychometric performance in this population. This effect seems to be stronger when more abstract and subjective constructs are involved. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available