Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Examination of the subtest scaled score range may be one useful indicator for determining whether to administer a complete Wechsler scale when a selected subtest short form has been employed for screening purposes. This article provides tables of subtest scaled score ranges that are reliable and deviant for common short forms of the WPPSI-R, WISC-III, and WAIS-R. Practitioners can use these range estimates as criteria for noteworthy scatter on Wechsler short forms. This systematic approach to short form scatter is an additional consideration for administrators who must make decisions about further intellectual assessment after screening. Validity studies in which reliable and abnormal scatter are compared for short and full administrations are desirable to clarify further the clinical usefulness of the tables provided.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Kaufman, A. S. (1976). A new approach to the interpretation of test scatter on the WISC-R. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 9, 160-168.

Kaufman, A. S. (1977). Should short-form validity coefficients be corrected? Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45, 1159-1161.

Kaufman, A. S. (1990). Assessing adolescent and adult intelligence. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Kaufman, A. S. , Ishikuma, T. , & Kaufman-Packer, J. L. (1991). Amazingly short forms of the WAIS-R. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 9, 4-15.

LoBello, S. G. (1991a). A short-form of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised. Journal of School Psychology, 29, 229-236.

LoBello, S. G. (199lb). Subtest scatter as an indicator of the inaccuracy of short-form estimates of IQ. Psychological Reports, 68, 1115-1118.

McLean, J. E. , Kaufman, A. S. , & Reynolds, C. R. (1989). Base rates of WAIS-R subtest scatter as a guide for clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 919-926.

Reynolds, C. R. , & Gutkin, T. B. (1981). Test scatter on the WPPSI: Normative analyses of the standardization sample. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 14, 460-463.

Sattler, J. M. (1988). Assessment of children (3rd ed.). San Diego, CA: Author.

10.

Sattler, J. M. (1992). Assessment of children: WISC-III and WPPSI-R supplement. San Diego, CA: Author.

11.

Silverstein, A. B. (1982). Two- and four-subtest short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 50, 415-418.

12.

Silverstein, A. B. (1987). Two indices of subtest scatter on Wechsler's intelligence scales: Estimated vs. empirical values. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43, 409-414.

13.

Silverstein, A. B. (1988). Estimated vs. empirical values of scaled-score ranges on Wechsler's intelligence scales: A correction. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44, 259-261.

14.

Silverstein, A. B. (1989). Reliability and abnormality of scaled-score ranges. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 926-929.

15.

Silverstein, A. B. (1990). Short forms of individual intelligence tests. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2, 3-11.

16.

Thompson, A. P. (1987). Methodological issues in the clinical evaluation of two- and four-subtest short forms of the WAIS-R. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43, 142-143.

17.

Thompson, A. P. (1992). Subtest scatter is not an indicator of inaccuracy for short-form estimates of IQ. Psychological Reports, 70, 889-890.

18.

Thompson, A. P. , Howard, D. , & Anderson, J. (1986). Two- and four-subtest short forms of the WAIS-R: Validity in a psychiatric sample. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 18, 287-293.

19.

Watkins, C. E., Jr. (1986). Validity and usefulness of WAIS-R, WISC-R, and WPPSI short forms: A critical review. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 17, 36-43.

20.

Wechsler, D. (1981). Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised manual. New York: Psychological Corporation.

21.

Wechsler, D. (1989). WPPSI-R manual: Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised. New York: Psychological Corporation.

22.

Wechsler, D. (1991). Wechsler intelligence scale for children — third edition manual. New York: Psychological Corporation.

Reliable and Abnormal Scaled Score Range Estimates for Common Wechsler Selected Subtest Short Forms

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References