Validity Studies the Children'S Depression Inventory: A Comparison of Generalizability and Classical Test Theory Analyses

Authors

Susan Lynn Crowley, Utah State UniversityFollow
Bruce Thompson, Texas A&M University
Frances F. Worchel, Texas A&M University

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Educational and Psychological Measurement

Volume

54

Issue

3

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Publication Date

1994

First Page

705

Last Page

713

Abstract

Issues surrounding accurate assessment of depression in children have received much attention. However, the stability of scores from depression measures has generally been estimated using only classical test score theory, rather than the more powerful generalizability theory. This study investigated the dependability of scores from the Children's Depression Inventory using both generalizability and classical test score analyses. Results suggest that the sources of error variance interact to decrease the dependability of CDI scores. Several sample measurement protocols were also investigated. Results indicate that depression in children might be better assessed using planned, multiple testing sessions.

Comments

Originally published by SAGE Publications. Abstract available through remote link. Subscription required to access article fulltext.

Recommended Citation

Crowley, S. L., Thompson, B., & Worchel, F. F. (1994). The Children's Depression Inventory: A comparison of generalizability and classical test score analyses. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 54, 705-713.