Ronald G. Frankiewicz

Construct Validity and Dimensional Structure of the ASIA Motor Scale

Abstract Background/Objective: The use of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score as an outcome measure requires metrological study. This paper tests the hypothesis that a more accurate representation of motor function is obtained using separate upper and lower extremity scales rather than combining all 20 key muscle ratings into a single ASIA motor score. Methods: We analyzed archived data from 6,116 ASIA motor scale records extracted from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center Database. Results: The hypothesis that separate scales more accurately represent motor function than a single motor scale was supported (X2(indifference)= 2,596; df= 1; P < 0.0001). Two scales account for 87% of the variance, whereas a single scale accounts for only 82%. Lower extremity function is well represented in both solutions; however, upper extremity function is accurately represented only with the use of 2 separate scales. Conclusions: The use of components of the ASIA standards for other than classification of spinal cord injury needs study. Several lines of study converge to provide strong support for the existence of 2 distinctive dimensions underlying the ASIA motor scale. The use of a single motor score in spinal cord injury research should be questioned and justified to the extent possible. The use of upper and lower extremity scales will lead to a reduction in measurement error when the motor score is used as an outcome measure. The confirmation of 2 separate dimensions underlying the ASIA motor score will enable more accurate representation of motor function in spinal cord injury research.

Construct Validation of Distance Run Tests

Abstract This study investigated the construct validity of distance run tests. A sample of 60 male college students were administered 10 running tests which ranged in distance from a 50-yd dash to the 2-mi run and the 12-min run. The factor analytic findings identified two robust factors. The first factor was associated with distance run tests of .5 mi and longer. The second factor was essentially isolated by the 50- and 100-yd dashes. The shorter distance tests of 1 mi or less tended to yield complex factor structures, loading on both factors; whereas, the distances longer than 1 mi tended to be unidimensional and loaded almost exclusively on the distance run factor.

Gain in functional ability during medical rehabilitation as related to rehabilitation process indices and neurologic measures

OBJECTIVE To determine the incremental value of neurologic and rehabilitation process indices in predicting gain in functional abilities during rehabilitation after spinal cord injury (SCI) and to describe a model for program evaluation that provides unbiased comparisons of rehabilitation process and normative comparison of individual patient gains in functional ability. STUDY DESIGN Multiple regression including variables in a prespecified hierarchical fashion. Linear models are formulated to gauge the incremental value of neurologic measures and rehabilitation process indices when investigating the rehabilitation process and the outcome of medical rehabilitation. RESULTS All measures and indices vary in predictable and expected manners across individual centers and injury groups; moreover, each has demonstrated the capacity to provide unique information to the investigation of the rehabilitation process. The comprehensive set of variables accounts for 52.8% of the variance in self-care gain and 53.3% of the variance in mobility gain. The rehabilitation process indices together contribute 15% of the variance of self-care gain and over 18% of the explained variance in mobility gain. CONCLUSION Forecasting gain in functional ability of patients in the domains of self-care and mobility may be enhanced when measures of neurologic impairment are supplemented with rehabilitation process indices. In addition, technical enhancements in measurement of rehabilitation process indices and gain in functional ability provide objective comparison of individual center differences and individual patient gains.

Intuition and Moral Development

Abstract The relation between the sensing (S)/intuition (N) dimension of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and moral development was investigated using two samples of 74 participants each who were administered the MBTI and Rests (1988) Defining Issues Test (DIT). Correlation coefficients were computed for the P scores of the DIT and for the continuous scores of each of the four preference scales of the MBTI. The coefficients of the two samples were statistically pooled, and the results supported the hypothesis that, of the four personality dimensions of the MBTI, the S-N dimension would be the only one to have a positive relation with ones level of moral reasoning.

Strategies for the Analysis of Repeated and Multiple Measures Designs

Abstract Differentiation is made relative to repeated and multiple measure analyses. A flowchart is provided to help the researcher determine the appropriate analysis for the design of interest. Conservative tests and a multivariate approach are suggested for repeated measures designs. For designs with multiple dependent measures, the following suggestions are provided: rank reduction, Bonferroni approach, and MANOVA. Post hoc tests are also suggested once a significant multivariate F is obtained. The post hoc tests are univariate F tests, two-group breakdown, simultaneous confidence intervals, discriminant analysis, step-down analysis, and contrasts on the classification variable. It is suggested that inclusion of these more appropriate analyses will increase the internal validity of research published in the Research Quarterly.

The Construct and Concurrent Validity of a 12-Minute Crawl Stroke Swim as a Field Test of Swimming Endurance

Abstract This study investigated the construct and concurrent validity of a 12-minute crawl stroke swim as a field test of swimming endurance. A sample of 42 male college students who ranged from certified life savers to competitive swimmers were administered three tests. The first, a multistage swimming endurance test, required that a tethered subject swim to exhaustion under a linear progressive increase in workload. The second measure was the crawl stroke count for two lengths of a 25-yard pool. The third test was a 12-minute crawl stroke swim for distance with total distance and distance covered each minute recorded for each subject. Alpha factor analysis of the 12 minute intervals of the crawl stroke swim produced one factor which demonstrated that swimming performance was internally consistent during the 12-minute swim. There was a correlation of .898 (p < .01) between the 12-minute swim and the tethered swim test. Cross validity procedures demonstrated a high degree of stability for the correlation...

STRATEGY FOR A PRIORI SELECTION OF JUDGES IN A PRODUCT-CENTERED APPROACH TO ASSESSMENT OF CREATIVITY

The purpose of the study was to develop a procedure for the a priori selection of judges of creative products which could be employed irrespective of the field in which the products occur. Experts in art, science, writing, and music responded, via a modified Q-sort, to multiple criteria for a creative product. Obverse factor-analytic techniques were employed to reduce the rank of the subject covariance matrix and determine specific judge types. Sets of judges, with homogeneous perceptions of criteria for a creative product, were determined, and, it was shown that homogeneity of judgment was independent of discipline. Furthermore, the method appeared relevant to any situation in which judges are required and for which criteria may be delineated.

Ego and Moral Development in an Adult Population

Summary Studies which have previously examined the relationship between ego and moral development have found substantial correlations. However, they have used both child and adult Ss, thereby focusing on maturational aspects of development. Also, they have employed linear parametric correlations, which may have been inappropriate for the scaling level of the data. The present study employed only adult Ss, and a nonlinear, nonparametric measure of correlation was developed to examine the relationship between ego and moral development scores. Nonparametric analysis of the variance revealed a significant relationship between scores on the two measures and yielded a moderately high nonlinear correlation coefficient (η2 = .42).

Canon: a Computer Program which Produces Canonical Structure and Index Coefficients

The paper presents an overview of several statistics useful in interpreting variates constructed by using canonical correlation analysis. A program which calculates coefficients not typically provided by program packages is then discussed. An illustrative example of program output is furnished.