Stability of conversational language samples from children in kindergarten: The effects of time, sample length, and topic
by DeBrock, Lindsay, M.S., EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, 2010, 51 pages; 1476577

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of measures from conversational language samples in the school-aged population. Two 10-minute conversational language samples were collected from 20 at-risk kindergarten children to determine their reliability and feasibility as an assessment and progress monitoring tool. All samples were collected and transcribed by one examiner using an outlined elicitation protocol in which the children were asked open ended questions about school and home activities in various time segments. Test-retest reliability was determined across eleven language measures for each child. Significant reliability correlation coefficients were observed for each language sample measure. The amount of variance due to sample length and topic were analyzed utilizing generalizability theory, which observes various facets accounting for measurement error. Variance was calculated for each language measure. Conversational language samples were found to have strong test-retest reliability across all language measures. The greatest amount of variance in measures was attributed to the child in most language measures with the interaction between the child, session, and length/topic accounting for the second largest amount of variance in most measures. Length and topic accounted for negligible amounts of variance in language measures. These findings demonstrated that shorter conversational language samples are reliable across time and that the length and topic of the sample do not have a substantial impact on the reliability of language measures.

 
AdviserJohn Heilmann
SchoolEAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 48-05, p. , Jun 2010
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsSpeech therapy
Publication Number1476577
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1476577
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.