Individualized Rating Scales IRS Rating Scale n Measurement

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Individualized Rating Scales (IRS)

Individualized Rating Scales (IRS)

Rating Scale n Measurement instrument used to elicit a rating. n A rating is

Rating Scale n Measurement instrument used to elicit a rating. n A rating is a systematic estimation of some attribute of a person, object, or event along some dimension (e. g. , degree of agreement about finances) Agreement between you and your spouse about finances 1 Do not agree at all 2 Agree very little 3 Agree a little 4 Moderately agree 5 Agree a lot 6 Mostly agree 7 Totally agree

Individualized Rating Scale (IRS) n Scales for rating the degree, magnitude, and intensity of

Individualized Rating Scale (IRS) n Scales for rating the degree, magnitude, and intensity of problems identified for individual clients n Tailor-made for each client n Also known as a “target complaint scale”

Constructing IRS’s n Identify and define problems n Select rating dimensions n Select number

Constructing IRS’s n Identify and define problems n Select rating dimensions n Select number of response categories n Select rating scale anchors n Create equidistant response categories n Select time period, event, or situation n Set goals

Identify and Define Problems Identify, conceptualize, and operationalize problems

Identify and Define Problems Identify, conceptualize, and operationalize problems

Select Rating Dimensions n Quantitative quality or property (i. e. , attribute) of a

Select Rating Dimensions n Quantitative quality or property (i. e. , attribute) of a person, object, or event n n n Quality of social support or of time spent with a spouse, children, or friends, etc. Degree of impairment caused by self-injurious thoughts, panic attacks, alcohol consumption, illegal drug use, or diabetes, etc. Severity of drug or alcohol cravings, stress, self-deprecating or intrusive thoughts, or tension or migraine headaches, etc.

Select Number of Response Categories n Point on a rating scale that represents the

Select Number of Response Categories n Point on a rating scale that represents the degree, magnitude, or intensity of an outcome n Can influence reliability and validity n Large enough to detect important differences, but not so large that it is difficult to distinguish among categories n 7 plus or minus 2 (i. e. , 5 to 9)

Select Rating Scale Anchors n Brief (usually) explicit labels, descriptions, or examples used to

Select Rating Scale Anchors n Brief (usually) explicit labels, descriptions, or examples used to define points or numbers on a rating scale (e. g. , 1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = very good, 5 = excellent). n Define numbers n Higher numbers should represent more of the dimension measured n Anchors should be congruent with the problem being rated

Select Rating Scale Anchors (cont’d) n Individualized or generic anchors n Generic anchors can

Select Rating Scale Anchors (cont’d) n Individualized or generic anchors n Generic anchors can be applied to a wide variety of problems and clients allow comparability across problems n Individualized anchors may be more relevant and meaningful to clients

Create Equidistant Response Categories n Makes it easier to evaluate change n View as

Create Equidistant Response Categories n Makes it easier to evaluate change n View as a thermometer

Select Time Period, Event, or Situation n Certain time at the end of each

Select Time Period, Event, or Situation n Certain time at the end of each day or week n In response to a certain event or situation such as after an interaction with a particular person

Set Goals and Objectives n Point on the scale that the client, you, or

Set Goals and Objectives n Point on the scale that the client, you, or a relevant other hopes to achieve n Percentage change

Decide Who, Where, When, and How Often to Collect Data n Select respondent(s) n

Decide Who, Where, When, and How Often to Collect Data n Select respondent(s) n Decide when and where to collect ratings n Decide how often to collect ratings

Who? n Clients n Practitioners n Relevant others n Independent evaluator

Who? n Clients n Practitioners n Relevant others n Independent evaluator

When and Where? n Representative times and conditions n Conditions conducive to accurate measurement

When and Where? n Representative times and conditions n Conditions conducive to accurate measurement n Standardize times and conditions

How Often? n Regular, frequent, pre-designated intervals to monitor clients’ progress, before, during, and

How Often? n Regular, frequent, pre-designated intervals to monitor clients’ progress, before, during, and after intervention n Often enough to detect significant changes, but not so often that it burdensome to the rater or intrudes on intervention efforts

Engage and Prepare Clients n Be certain the client understands and accepts the value

Engage and Prepare Clients n Be certain the client understands and accepts the value and purpose of monitoring progress n Discuss confidentiality n Present measures with confidence n Don’t ask for info the client can’t provide n Be sure the client is prepared n Be careful how you respond to information n Use the information that is collected

Advantages of IRSs n Can be completed by clients, practitioners, relevant others, or independent

Advantages of IRSs n Can be completed by clients, practitioners, relevant others, or independent evaluators n Tailored to individual clients n Flexibility in the type of problem n Measure the degree, magnitude, or intensity of problems n Easy to use, and so can be used frequently n Easy to interpret

Precautions in Using IRSs n Consider behavioral observation when interest is in measuring the

Precautions in Using IRSs n Consider behavioral observation when interest is in measuring the duration or frequency of a behavior n Consider standardized scales when interest is in measuring a construct with general relevance to different clients