Progress in NIRT Analysis of Polytomous Item Scores: Dilemmas and Practical Solutions

Abstract. Bollen and colleagues have advocated the use of formative scales despite the fact that formative scales lack an adequate underlying theory to guide development or validation such as that which underlies reflective scales. Three conceptual impediments impede the development of such theory: the redefinition of measurement restricted to the context of model fitting, the inscrutable notion of conceptual unity, and a systematic conflation of item scores with attributes. Setting aside these impediments opens the door to progress in developing the needed theory to support formative scale use. A broader perspective facilitates consideration of standard scale development concerns as applied to formative scales including scale development, item analysis, reliability, and item bias. While formative scales require a different pattern of emphasis, all five of the traditional sources of validity evidence apply to formative scales. Responsible use of formative scales requires greater attention to developing the requisite underlying theory.

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A Link between Psychopathy Affect and Instrumentality in Homicide

Homicide Studies ◽

10.1177/10887679211028879 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 108876792110288

Author(s):

Ji Seun Sohn ◽

Adrian Raine ◽

Young-Oh Hong

Keyword(s):

Psychopathy Checklist ◽

Psychopathy Checklist Revised ◽

Reactive N ◽

Item Scores

This study tests the hypothesis that psychopathy is more associated with instrumental homicides than mixed and reactive homicides, and explores relationships between Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) facet/item scores and different forms of homicide: instrumental ( n = 130), mixed ( n = 103), and reactive ( n = 219) homicides. Instrumental homicides scored higher on facet 2 ( p < .01) but scored lower on facet 4 ( p < .1) compared to reactive homicides, whereas no facet scores differed between mixed and reactive homicides. Among the items of facet 2 (affective), remorselessness (item 6), and callousness (item 8) were predictive of instrumental homicide.

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Improving radiologic communication in oncology: a single-centre experience with structured reporting for cancer patients

Insights into Imaging ◽

10.1186/s13244-020-00907-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tim Frederik Weber ◽

Manuela Spurny ◽

Felix Christian Hasse ◽

Oliver Sedlaczek ◽

Georg Martin Haag ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Structured Reporting ◽

First Year ◽

Questionnaire Item ◽

Software Application ◽

Report Quality ◽

Anticancer Treatment ◽

Structured Reports ◽

Item Scores

Abstract Objectives Our aim was to develop a structured reporting concept (structured oncology report, SOR) for general follow-up assessment of cancer patients in clinical routine. Furthermore, we analysed the report quality of SOR compared to conventional reports (CR) as assessed by referring oncologists. Methods SOR was designed to provide standardised layout, tabulated tumour burden documentation and standardised conclusion using uniform terminology. A software application for reporting was programmed to ensure consistency of layout and vocabulary and to facilitate utilisation of SOR. Report quality was analysed for 25 SOR and 25 CR retrospectively by 6 medical oncologists using a 7-point scale (score 1 representing the best score) for 6 questionnaire items addressing different elements of report quality and overall satisfaction. A score of ≤ 3 was defined as a positive rating. Results In the first year after full implementation, 7471 imaging examinations were reported using SOR. The proportion of SOR in relation to all oncology reports increased from 49 to 95% within a few months. Report quality scores were better for SOR for each questionnaire item (p < 0.001 each). Averaged over all questionnaire item scores were 1.98 ± 1.22 for SOR and 3.05 ± 1.93 for CR (p < 0.001). The overall satisfaction score was 2.15 ± 1.32 for SOR and 3.39 ± 2.08 for CR (p < 0.001). The proportion of positive ratings was higher for SOR (89% versus 67%; p < 0.001). Conclusions Department-wide structured reporting for follow-up imaging performed for assessment of anticancer treatment efficacy is feasible using a dedicated software application. Satisfaction of referring oncologist with report quality is superior for structured reports.

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