Psychometric properties of two systematic observation tools, the System for
Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) and the Children's Activity Rating
Scale (CARS), were examined for use with individuals with mental retardation
(MR). Eleven children with MR were videotaped while participating in gym-based
physical activity. Accelerometer data were collected and synchronized with the
observational data. Three raters coded each videotape twice each with SOFIT and
CARS.
Generalizability theory analysis indicated that SOFIT had low error
variance due to rater, trial, and interaction terms. This provides evidence that
SORT has good reliability (��=0.98). Concurrent validity evidence for SORT
indicated that SORT may not be an appropriate tool for use with individuals with
MR. Validity coefficients (r) between accelerometer data and SOFIT scores ranged
from -0.44 to +0.39, indicating less than 20% shared variability.
G-theory analysis for CARS also indicated that CARS demonstrates
sufficient reliability for use with individuals with MR (��=0.76). There was a
higher level of error variance associated with rater for the CARS instrument which
indicates that more training on this tool may be necessary. Validity evidence for
CARS was somewhat stronger than SOFIT with correlations between
accelerometer data and CARS interval scores ranging from -0.52 to +0.79
(r��=0.62).
Systematic observation tools may not differentiate between the low physical
activity levels of individuals with mental retardation with may have caused the low
validity levels. These findings indicate that systematic observations tools provide
strong reliability evidence and weak validity evidence for use with individuals with
mental retardation, and should not be used for this group. / Graduation date: 2003
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/32121 |
| Date | 02 May 2003 |
| Creators | Taylor, Christina Anne |
| Contributors | Yun, Joonkoo |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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