University of Twente Student Theses
Health-related quality of life relating to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : a psychometric analysis of a new disease-specific instrument
Herzog, N.D. (2015) Health-related quality of life relating to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : a psychometric analysis of a new disease-specific instrument.
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Abstract: | Background: The Department of Research Methodology, Measurement, and Data-Analysis in the Behavioral Sciences faculty of University of Twente, is currently developing a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This CAT will be based on of 3 generic item banks (derived from PROMIS) and one COPD- specific item bank (COPD-SIB). While the generic PROMIS item banks were already validated, the COPD-SIB was developed recently and its psychometric properties have yet to be evaluated. In order to contribute to the development of the CAT, this thesis aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the COPD-SIB and (if necessary) formulate suggestions for improvement of such, so that it can be included in the final CAT item bank without worries. Methods: The item bank was analyzed using a latent variable model. This was done in two complementary steps. Firstly, an exploratory (factor) analysis was performed to determine the number of latent variables. Secondly, a confirmatory analysis (IRT) was performed in order to assess item quality and measurement precision as a function of the latent trait. Results: Exploratory factory analysis revealed that the item bank is reasonably unidimensional. IRT analysis showed that half of the items were sufficient discriminative. However, in 52 out of 66 items one of the categories was superfluous, or categories were not logically ordered. Test measurement was most precise around Ɵ ≈ 0. Conclusion: Though the item bank is sufficiently unidimensional, items that were striking in exploratory as well as in confirmatory analysis should be either excluded or adjusted before being used in the CAT. Items that showed low discrimination should be rephrased. Additionally, response categories should be merged. |
Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
Subject: | 77 psychology |
Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/68332 |
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