Understanding assessment concepts within the occupational therapy context

✍ Scribed by Lindy Clemson; Maureen H. Fitzgerald

• Book ID: 102564138
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 89 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0966-7903
• DOI: 10.1002/oti.65

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

This paper explores therapists' perceptions about issues of validity, reliability and usefulness of assessment tools. It draws on the findings of a qualitative inquiry that was designed to evaluate the usefulness of the Westmead Home Safety Assessment. The study also explored therapists attitudes and beliefs about reliability, validity and related concepts, and how they understand and use these concepts in practice. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews and participant‐observations were conducted. The findings suggest that issues of reliability and validity were not clearly understood, terms were confused and therapists had difficulty in applying the concepts in their practice. Reliability was viewed as important but much less attention was given to validity. By not understanding validity, therapists may not give themselves credit where it is due, lack confidence in their assessments and their ability, and, therefore, may not always use tools to their best advantage. Copyright © 1998 Whurr Publishers Ltd.