Principles of Assessment and Outcome Measurement for Allied Health Professionals Practice, Research and Development

The revised and updated second edition of Principles of Assessment and Outcome Measurement for Allied Health Professionals offers an authoritative guide for allied health professionals and students. The authors, noted experts on the topic, explore the assessment process that encompasses the data collection methods, the evaluation process that determines the effectiveness of an intervention, and standardised and systematic outcome measurement procedures.

The book discusses in detail the various methods of data collection (observation, interview, standardised testing) and the types of sources (self-report, proxy, observational) for collecting information. The main purposes of assessment (descriptive, evaluative, predictive, discriminative) are also presented. The book addresses the topics of standardization, levels of measurement, reliability, validity, and clinical usefulness. The text provides the information needed to select and perform assessment and outcomes measurement to inform goal setting, evaluate outcomes, and ensure that interventions are effective, efficient, and economical in order to provide quality services to clients and their carers. This important book:

• Covers information on assessment and measurement in practice, research, and service evaluation and improvement
• Explores how to develop and evaluate assessments and outcome measures
• Offers an international perspective
• Discusses the criteria for choosing a particular assessment approach
• Informs the critical appraisal of the evidence underpinning standardised assessments and measures, and selecting the best tools for practice or research
• Includes updated and additional case studies
• Provides worksheets and additional illustrations to enhance understanding

Written for allied health students and professionals, Principles of Assessment and Outcome Measurement for Allied Health Professionals is the essential guide to assessing, measuring, and evaluating the impact and outcome of clinical practice and interventions.

Alison Laver-Fawcett, Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy, School of Science, Technology and Health, York St John University, UK. 

Diane Cox, Emeritus Professor of Occupational Therapy, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, UK. 

Authors’ Biography ix

Authors Contributing to Case Studies xi

Foreword xiii

Preface xiv

Acknowledgements xviii

Introduction 1

Section I Assessment and Measurement in Practice 13

Chapter 1 The Importance of Accurate Assessment and Outcome Measurement 15

Chapter 2 Methods of Assessment and Sources of Assessment Data 49

Chapter 3 Purposes of Assessment and Measurement 100

Chapter 4 What Is Measurement? 131

Chapter 5 Test Administration, Reporting, and Recording 147

Chapter 6 The Importance of Clinical Reasoning and Reflective Practice in Effective Assessment 171

Section 2 Concepts for Assessment and Measurement 229

Chapter 7 Standardisation 231

Chapter 8 Validity and Clinical Utility 243

Chapter 9 Reliability 272

Chapter 10 Selecting and Appraising Assessments and Outcome Measures 295

Section 3 Assessment and Measurement for Service Evaluation and Improvement 335

Chapter 11 Applying Models to Assessment and Outcome Measurement 337

Chapter 12 Implementing the Optimum Assessment and Measurement Approach 376

Chapter 13 Using Assessment and Outcome Measures in Service Evaluation 393

Section 4 Developing and Evaluating Assessments and Outcome Measures 411

Chapter 14 Test Development 413

Chapter 15 Conducting Psychometric Studies 433

Brief Answers to Chapter Review Questions 445

Index 453

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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