Modelling Norm Scores with the cNORM Package in R

In this article, we explain and demonstrate how to model norm scores with the cNORM package in R. This package is designed specifically to determine norm scores when the latent ability to be measured covaries with age or other explanatory variables such as grade level. The mathematical method used in this package draws on polynomial regression to model a three-dimensional hyperplane that smoothly and continuously captures the relation between raw scores, norm scores and the explanatory variable. By doing so, it overcomes the typical problems of classical norming methods, such as overly large age intervals, missing norm scores, large amounts of sampling error in the subsamples or huge requirements with regard to the sample size. After a brief introduction to the mathematics of the model, we describe the individual methods of the package. We close the article with a practical example using data from a real reading comprehension test.

Online Study-Aids to Stimulate Effective Learning in an Undergraduate Psychological Assessment Course

Many students use ineffective learning strategies. They tend to start too late and learn in a superficial way, without integrating different parts of the study materials. To help students in Psychological Assessment in Youth overcome these problems, we designed online study-aids to spread their learning over the semester (distributed practice) and provide them with self-test questions (practice testing). Study-aids covered the last week’s course readings and consisted of 10 to 15 questions presented in several stimulating closed formats (e.g., connecting one theory with another, or filling out norm scores in a bell curve). Participation was voluntary and promoted using an incentive system. The study-aids were evaluated in two cohorts of students (2018: N = 94; 2019: N = 84). Participation was good: 79% of the students completed the study-aids (range 69–85%). Satisfaction was high: most students indicated that the study-aids supported their studies well (89%). Exam performance improved significantly upon introduction of the study-aids (comparison cohort 2017: N = 69), although more so for the midterm exam ( r = 0.47) than for the final exam ( r = 0.17). These findings suggest that online study-aids can stimulate effective learning by helping students distribute and self-test their learning.

Stability in Personality After Physical Trauma

Personality trait stability may be influenced by several factors, there among different life events such as psychological trauma. However, little is known regarding trait stability after physical trauma. Therefore, our primary aim was to assess the extent of stability in personality in burn patients during the first year after injury. Eighty-four burn patients, admitted to a national burn center, were assessed with the Swedish universities Scales of Personality during acute care and 12 months postburn. Personality domain scores remained stable between acute care and 12 months postburn. On the trait level, the only change was seen in personality trait Stress Susceptibility, where burn patients’ scores were lower compared with norm scores during acute care but then increased, and normalized, at 12 months postburn. To conclude, personality scores remained relatively stable during the first year after burn trauma.

A Study on Norm Scores-Box and Block Test for Children Age with 6-10 Years Among Indian Population

The study aims to compare the scores of dominance and non-dominance in developing children that are important in clinical practice. The capacity to perform complex muscle and nerve acts that produce development; fine engine aptitudes are little developments; net engine abilities are enormous developments. An observational quantitative study was conducted to establish the new developmental norms for children on the Box and Block Test. This study included 400 volunteers’ 221(55.25%) males and 179(44.75%) females with the age of 6 to10 years. The signed parental consent before participation was obtained in this study. Out of 400 total populations, the male’s right dominance is 20(93.6%) is a difference from left dominance 14(6.4%). The female right dominance is 171(95.5%) is more than that of male dominance and used to compare the left dominance 8(4.5%). The Block and Test Box are easy, simple, and suitable for children. This test aids the therapists to evaluate the efficacy of the interventions tailored to improve manual dexterity. These kids may profit essentially from early mediation focusing on the improvement of handwork.

Improvement of Norm Score Quality via Regression-Based Continuous Norming

The interpretation of psychometric test results is usually based on norm scores. We compared semiparametric continuous norming (SPCN) with conventional norming methods by simulating results for test scales with different item numbers and difficulties via an item response theory approach. Subsequently, we modeled the norm scores based on random samples with varying sizes either with a conventional ranking procedure or SPCN. The norms were then cross-validated by using an entirely representative sample of N = 840,000 for which different measures of norming error were computed. This process was repeated 90,000 times. Both approaches benefitted from an increase in sample size, with SPCN reaching optimal results with much smaller samples. Conventional norming performed worse on data fit, age-related errors, and number of missings in the norm tables. The data fit in conventional norming of fixed subsample sizes varied with the granularity of the age brackets, calling into question general recommendations for sample sizes in test norming. We recommend that test norms should be based on statistical models of the raw score distributions instead of simply compiling norm tables via conventional ranking procedures.

Fibromyalgia Impact Score in Women with Fibromyalgia Across Southern, Central, and Northern Areas of Europe

Background: The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) is the most used questionnaire worldwide to measure the health status of patients with fibromyalgia. The questionnaire has been subjected to several studies to analyze psychometric properties. However, norm scores and cultural differences have not been presented. Objectives: To obtain and present norm scores for the FIQ in patients with fibromyalgia in different cultures, namely Southern, Central, and Northern areas of Europe. Study Design: This observational study consisted of women with fibromyalgia from 4 countries (Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden) classified in 3 areas (Southern, Central, and Northern) in Europe. Setting: Women with fibromyalgia from Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Methods: The impact of fibromyalgia was assessed by the FIQ. A total of 1,478 women with fibromyalgia were asked to fill out the FIQ in the Spanish (n = 531), Dutch and Belgian (n = 629), or Swedish (n = 318) versions. Results: The norm scores and percentiles score of the FIQ are presented. Norm scores differed between European areas (Southern area = 64.8 ± 15.9; Central area = 60.9 ± 15.7; Northern area = 62.8 ± 16.7). Perceived physical impairment, overall well-being (all, P < 0.001), FIQ total (P < 0.01), and morning tiredness (P < 0.05) in women with fibromyalgia from the Central area of Europe reported lower impact than Southern and Northern areas. The Northern area of Europe showed the lowest score of job difficulty, anxiety, depression (all, P < 0.001), and pain (P < 0.01), whereas the Southern area of Europe showed the lowest score of work missed subscale (P < 0.001) with regard to the rest of the areas studied. Limitations: The selection of patients was conducted with just women because of the scarce prevalence of fibromyalgia among men. Moreover, sociodemographic status, socioeconomic status, and clinical characteristics were not measured. Similar research should be conducted with adequate representation of populations from other parts of the world. Conclusions: Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences mainly between the Southern area versus Northern and Central areas of Europe. The impact of fibromyalgia showed mainly higher scores in women with fibromyalgia from the Southern area of Europe. Key words: Symptom, psychometric, norm scores, European comparison