Test–Retest Approach

The test–retest approach is a method for determining reliability of tests used to appraise communication skills and related abilities. It entails two administrations of a test to an age- or grade-delimited sample within a relatively short time period, usually a few weeks. For this approach, the delay between test administrations should be long enough to minimize memory effects but short enough to control for maturation and incidental learning. The resulting correlation coefficients are sometimes referred to as stability reliability.

Evidence-based approaches to clinical practice advocate the use of psychometrically sound instruments with documented reliability (or consistency of measurement) and validity (or accuracy of measurement). Therefore, it is important to assess the reliability of standardized tests. Procedures with subjective scoring methods should provide evidence of judgment consistency ...