Development of a Computerized Adaptive Test for Schizotypy Assessment

Abstract

BackgroundSchizotypal traits in adolescents from the general population represent the behavioral expression of liability for psychotic disorders. Schizotypy assessment in this sector of population has advanced considerably in the last few years; however, it is necessary to incorporate recent advances in psychological and educational measurement.ObjectiveThe main goal of this study was to develop a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) to evaluate schizotypy through “The Oviedo Questionnaire for Schizotypy Assessment” (ESQUIZO-Q), in non-clinical adolescents.MethodsThe final sample consisted of 3,056 participants, 1,469 males, with a mean age of 15.9 years (SD = 1.2).ResultsThe results indicated that the ESQUIZO-Q scores presented adequate psychometric properties under both Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory. The Information Function estimated using the Gradual Response Model indicated that the item pool effectively assesses schizotypy at the high end of the latent trait. The correlation between the CAT total scores and the paper-and-pencil test was 0.92. The mean number of presented items in the CAT with the standard error fixed at ≤0.30 was of 34 items.ConclusionThe CAT showed adequate psychometric properties for schizotypy assessment in the general adolescent population. The ESQUIZO-Q adaptive version could be used as a screening method for the detection of adolescents at risk for psychosis in both educational and mental health settings.

The Measurement Invariance of Schizotypy in Europe

“…This means that for this level of latent trait (+2 SD), this trait is measured with less standard error of measurement. These results are interesting as individuals with higher schizotypy scores (i.e., theoretically more at risk) obtain more precise estimations (less error of measurement) and with more information as compared to those individuals who obtain low scores on the latent trait [22,24]. This point might be relevant in order to improve our accuracy in detecting individuals at high-risk for psychosis.…”

“…Within IRT framework, a novel approach to study the precision of the schizotypy scores, the sO-LIFE's subscales provide more accuracy information at the medium and high end of the latent trait (i.e., Positive schizotypy). These result are interesting as individuals with higher schizotypy scores (i.e., theoretically more risk) obtain more precise estimations (less error of measurement) and with more information as compared to those individuals who obtain low scores on the latent trait (Fonseca-Pedrero, Menéndez, Paino, Lemos-Girádez, & Muñiz, 2013;Fonseca-Pedrero, Paino, Santarén-Rosell, Lemos-Giráldez, & Muñiz, 2012). This point might be relevant in order to improve our accuracy in detecting Secondly, the study is subject to the problems inherent to any research based on selfreports, and future studies in this context should consider the use of external informants or interviews.…”

Development and public release of a computerized adaptive (CAT) version of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire

“…Conversely, computerized adaptive testing (CAT) (Wainer et al, 2000), which is a method of test administration in which item presentation proceeds in such a way as to maximize the information gained from each item, has the advantage of administering only the most informative items. To our knowledge, there is only one published account of an adaptive test for psychosis or schizotypy (Fonseca-Pedrero et al, 2013), which was based on the Spanish-language OVIEDO Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire (ESQUIZO-Q) and has a large calibration sample size. Although suggestive, primary limitations of the adaptive ESQUIZO-Q hampering wider scale utility are that it was simulated and does not yet have a functional version on any known platform, and that the English-language version of the ESQUIZO-Q has not yet been calibrated or used in any study (Fonseca-Pedrero, personal communication, February 29 th , 2016).…”

Aplicaciones de la tecnología a la evaluación psicométrica

“…− MATHCAT: implementado en Holanda para evaluar capacidades matemáticas en cursos orientados hacia la educación de adultos (Verschoor & Straetmans, 2010 (Walter, 2010). − ESQUIZO-Q: está basado en el Cuestionario de Oviedo para la evaluación de la esquizotipia (Fonseca-Pedrero, Menéndez, Paino, Lemos-Giráldez & Muñíz, 2013).…”