Is Co-norming Required?

Researchers who have been responsible for developing test batteries have argued that competent practice requires the use of a "fixed battery" that is co-normed. We tested this assumption with three normative systems: co-normed, meta-regressed norms and a system of these two methods. We analyzed two samples: 330 referred patients and 99 undergraduate volunteers.

Examining verbal memory on the Word Memory Test and California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition.

This study compared the Word Memory Test (WMT) and California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II) in a sample (N = 76) of outpatient physiatry referrals who passed WMT validity indices. WMT and CVLT-II raw scores showed moderate to strong correlations. WMT scores were more likely to be below expectation than CVLT-II scores using norms from the respective test manuals.

Lessons learned from 14 years of outcomes: the need for collaboration, utilization, and projection.

In 1995, the Indiana Association of Residential Child Care Agencies (IARCCA), an association of children and family services, responded to a request to demonstrate effectiveness of residential care. The organization developed a vision for evaluating outcomes that incorporated collaboration with others, use of data and projection toward the future. This guiding vision led to an ongoing project for IARCCA member agencies across Indiana.

Using grip strength force curves to detect simulation: a preliminary investigation.

Analysis of grip strength force curves has successfully detected suboptimal effort in industrial rehabilitation research. This study examined force curve analysis as an effort measure when grip strength was administered according to standardized neuropsychological procedures in a sample without reported neurologic and upper extremity injury. Eighty-two undergraduates were randomized to control (n = 26), naïve simulator (n = 28), and coached simulator (n = 28) conditions.

Addressing the disproportionate representation of children of color: a collaborative community approach.

The state of Indiana recommended a committee be formed to address the disproportional representation of black youth in out-of-home placements. In response, the Indiana Disproportionality Committee (IDC) was established. This article presents the development, objectives and future of the IDC.

Use of the binomial distribution to predict impairment: application in a nonclinical sample.

A mathematical model based on the binomial theory was developed to illustrate when abnormal score variations occur by chance in a multitest battery (Ingraham & Aiken, 1996). It has been successfully used as a comparison for obtained test scores in clinical samples, but not in nonclinical samples. In the current study, this model has been applied to demographically corrected scores on the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery, obtained from a sample of 94 nonclinical college students.

Expectancy of impaired neuropsychological test scores in a non-clinical sample.

Two methods were addressed to evaluate the incidence of false positive impairment on tests in neuropsychological evaluation. One method used a mathematical model based on the binomial theory (Ingraham & Aiken, 1996) to offer predictions based on probability. The model sets boundaries to determine when score variations would occur by chance and is therefore useful for identifying when cases exceed established boundaries.

My mind is as clear as it used to be: A pilot study illustrating the difficulties of employing a single-item subjective screen to detect cognitive impairment in outpatients with cancer.

Oncology patients often complain that their "mind does not seem to be clear." This subjective perception, sometimes referred to as "chemo brain," may be due to situational stressors, psychological disorders, organic factors, or effects of neurotoxic medications. Cognitive decline cannot only diminish quality of life, but can also interfere with a patient's ability to make decisions regarding complex treatment issues.