Rating Scales
Graphic/Pictorial/Visual: asked to choose from images that depict what is being assessed
eg. faces to rate pain level
Checklist: provide a list of characteristics and ask to mark a response
eg. present or absent
Q-sort: asked to sort a series of objects, pictures, or words into categories
eg. statements on cards that are sorted to describe a person's personality
Semantic Differential Scale: two opposing qualities or adjectives are provided and clients rate where they fall on the continuum
eg. asking clients to rate current mood (Happy - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - Sad
Likert Scales:
Frequency: asked how often they perform a task or behavior being assessed
eg. never, rarely, sometimes, always
Agreement: asked to select the response that reflects their level of agreement
eg. strongly agree, neutral, strongly disagree
Forced Choice: asked to choose among response options that do not include a neutral response
eg. impossible, very difficult, somewhat difficult, or not at all difficult
Comparative Scale: asked to select a response in comparison to other variables
eg. COPM - asked client to rate level of performance & satisfaction with performance on occupations & two ratings are compared
Types of Converted Scores
Percentile: indicates what percentage of the normative group scored above & below client's score
Percentile Rank: indicate client's standing in comparison with the normative group, usually of the same age or grade
Grade Equivalent: indicate grade level the student is currently demonstrating
Age Equivalent: indicates developmental age the client is currently demonstrating
Z-score: related to the normal distribution where mean is 0 & SD is 1; can have negative values
T-score: related to the normal distribution where mean is 50 and SD is 10.
Cutoff Scores: specific score ranges that indicate the potential presence or absence of a disease, condition, or impairment