High Internal Consistency Research Articles

Development and Validation of an Assessment Tool for Measuring Innovative Thinking in STEM Students

The researcher conducted this study to develop and validate an instrument, an assessment tool for measuring innovative thinking in STEM students of Hilongos National Vocational School, Hilongos, Leyte, in 2024. It was done in three phases: (1) Construct Specification and Item Creation, (2) Content Validation and (3) Internal Consistency Assessment. Figure 1 shows the overview of the instrument development and validation process adopted from Bazhan et al.,. (2023) with modifications. As to content validity, the expert panel members evaluated the 150 items based on the four-point scale. Then, CVI for each item was calculated. Items are retained if they have a Content Validity Ratio (CVR) of 0.60 or higher and a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.80 or higher, while items are eliminated if they fall below either criterion, with a CVR of less than 0.60 or a CVI of less than 0.80. The remaining items were revised to experts’ recommendations in terms of the consistency of statements’ verb tenses and the points of view utilized. As to internal consistency, it revealed that the reliability of the five constructs is greater than 0.90, indicating that the reliability is acceptable. This implies that all items demonstrated a valid internal consistency. Cronbach’s α between 0.8 to 1 shows good reliability, between 0.6 to 0.79 indicates the reliability is acceptable, and less than 0.6 indicates poor reliability. The developed questionnaire for measuring innovative thinking in STEM students exhibited strong reliability and content validity. The instrument effectively captured the core dimensions of innovative thinking, such as observing, questioning, experimenting, idea networking, and associating. The factor analysis results supported the instrument's underlying structure, and Cronbach's alpha values indicated high internal consistency. These findings suggest that the questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for assessing innovative thinking in STEM students.

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the selective control assessment of the lower extremity in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

To assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Forty-five children with spastic CP (mean age 7.29 years, SD 2.87 years, rang 4-16 years) were recruited. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's α, while test-retest and inter-rater reliability were evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Construct validity was established through correlation and confirmatory factor analyses. Discriminative validity was assessed by comparing SCALE scores across varying GMFCS levels. The Chinese version of SCALE demonstrates high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91) and good reliability with ICCs exceeding 0.76 for test-retest and inter-rater assessments. It shows significant correlations with GMFCS (r = -0.76, p < 0.001) and Fugl-Meyer scales (r = 0.79, p < 0.001), confirming its validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supports a well-fitting model (χ 2/df = 1.58, RMSEA = 0.08, SRMR <0.001, GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.90, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98), with the latent variable's AVE at 0.59 and CR at 0.88. Discriminative validity is evident in significant differences across GMFCS levels (p < 0.001), notably between levels I and II, I and III, and I and IV (p < 0.05). The Chinese version of SCALE shows good reliability and validity for assessing lower limb selective movement control in children with spastic cerebral palsy in China. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=205380, identifier ChiCTR2400083880.

A Pilot Study of E-Commerce Consumers' Green Purchasing Intention in China: TPB Perspective

The frequent occurrence of environmental accidents and the heightened awareness of environmental protection among citizens have led to the emergence of green consumption as a social phenomenon. As a major global e-commerce market, Chinese consumers' green purchasing intention contributes significantly to environmental protection. The present study sought to develop pertinent scales utilizing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), with questionnaires employed to assess the influence of attitudes (A), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on Chinese e-commerce consumers' green purchasing intention (GPI). A total of 88 valid questionnaires were collected for the pilot study. The results indicated that the kurtosis's magnitude for all latent variables is less than 2, while the magnitude of the skewness is less than 1. This signifies that the data results have successfully passed the normality test. Furthermore, the Cronbach's alpha value and KMO for all variables exceeded 0.8, indicating high internal consistency. The total variance explained (TVE) surpassed 50%, demonstrating a substantial amount of variability accounted for. Additionally, the composite reliability (CR) was higher than the threshold. The value was higher than 0.8, and the average variance extracted (AVE) exceeded 0.5. This demonstrates that the questionnaire successfully underwent reliability and validity assessments. The findings of the pilot study have contributed to the advancement of research in the field of green consumption, offering insights into the prediction of green purchase intentions among Chinese e-commerce consumers.

Construction of a competency evaluation model for Clinical Research Coordinators in China: a study based on the Delphi method and questionnaire survey

PurposeAs the number of clinical trials in China continues to grow, the assessment of competency of Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), who play a crucial role in clinical trials, has become...

Validation of Serbian version of the LittlEARS® Early Speech Production Questionnaire for the assessment of early language development in typically developing children.

The LittlEARS® Early Speech Production Questionnaire (LEESPQ) was developed to provide professionals with valuable information about children's earliest language development and has been successfully validated in several languages. This study aimed to validate the Serbian version of the LEESPQ in typically developing children and compare the results with validation studies in other languages. The English version of the LEESPQ was back-translated into Serbian. Parents completed the questionnaire in paper or electronic form either during the visit to the paediatric clinic or through personal contact. A total of 206 completed questionnaires were collected. Standardized expected values were calculated using a second-order polynomial model for children up to 18 months of age to create a norm curve for the Serbian language. The results were then used to determine confidence intervals, with the lower limit being the critical limit for typical speech-language development. Finally, the results were compared with German and Canadian English developmental norms. The Serbian LEESPQ version showed high homogeneity (r = .622) and internal consistency (α = .882), indicating that it almost exclusively measures speech production ability. No significant difference in total score was found between male and female infants (U = 4429.500, p = .090), so it can be considered a gender-independent questionnaire. The results of the comparison between Serbian and German (U = 645.500, p = .673) and Serbian and English norm curves (U = 652.000, p = .725) show that the LEESPQ can be applied to different population groups, regardless of linguistic, cultural or sociological differences. The LEESPQ is a valid, age-dependent and gender-independent questionnaire suitable for assessing early speech development in children aged from birth to 18 months.

A registered report of a two-site study of variations of the flanker task: ERN experimental effects and data quality.

Error-related negativity is a widely used measure of error monitoring, and many projects are independently moving ERN recorded during a flanker task toward standardization, optimization, and eventual clinical application. However, each project uses a different version of the flanker task and tacitly assumes ERN is functionally equivalent across each version. The routine neglect of a rigorous test of this assumption undermines efforts to integrate ERN findings across tasks, optimize and standardize ERN assessment, and widely apply ERN in clinical trials. The purpose of this registered report was to determine whether ERN shows similar experimental effects (correct vs. error trials) and data quality (intraindividual variability) during three commonly used versions of a flanker task. ERN was recorded from 172 participants during three versions of a flanker task across two study sites. ERN scores showed numerical differences between tasks, raising questions about the comparability of ERN findings across studies and tasks. Although ERN scores from all three versions of the flanker task yielded high data quality and internal consistency, one version did outperform the other two in terms of the size of experimental effects and the data quality. Exploratory analyses of the error positivity (Pe) provided tentative support for the other two versions of the task over the paradigm that appeared optimal for ERN. The present study provides a roadmap for how to statistically compare psychometric characteristics of ERP scores across paradigms and gives preliminary recommendations for flanker tasks to use for ERN- and Pe-focused studies.

Evaluating the Implementation of Green Building Materials in the Construction Sector of Developing Nations

The use of conventional building materials in the construction sector significantly contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in considerable environmental damage across Pakistan. Embracing sustainable building materials is crucial for mitigating pollution, conserving energy, and enhancing indoor air quality through the utilization of recycled and renewable resources, reducing environmental pollution. The focus of this study is to explore the adoption of green building materials within Pakistan's construction sector, particularly aiming to mitigate environmental impacts, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The objectives include identification of sustainable materials, evaluation of their benefits and drawbacks, and the provision of recommendations for effective implementation. The research methodology includes the administration of closed-ended questionnaires, the conduct of interviews, and the observation process, utilizing both planned and random sampling techniques to ensure the collection of reliable data. The findings indicate a limited interest in eco-friendly materials, constrained by factors such as high costs, low market demand, and logistical challenges. Cronbach's alpha value is 0.926, which shows high internal consistency and reliability. The study highlights that 73% of construction firms in Pakistan do not use green building materials. This research distinguishes itself through a thorough evaluation of sustainable materials specifically suited to Pakistan’s industry, providing strategic insights to address current challenges and foster green building practices. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2024-05-03-015 Full Text: PDF

Development and Evaluation of the DMIND Questionnaire: Preparing for AI Integration into an Effective Depression Screening Tool

Objective: Thailand’s mental health crisis is exacerbated by high demand and a shortage of mental health professionals. The research objective was to develop and validate the Detection and Monitoring Intelligence Network for Depression (DMIND) questionnaire, designed to be culturally relevant and easily administered in clinical settings. Crafted with expert input, items specifically conducive to artificial intelligence (AI) analysis were selected to facilitate the future development of an AI-assisted depression scoring model. This approach underscores the tool’s dual utility in both human-led and technology-enhanced diagnostics. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 81 participants from psychiatric and tertiary care hospitals in Bangkok. Participants were assessed using the DMIND questionnaire, followed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17). Statistical analyses included the content validity index (CVI), Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Cohen’s kappa, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The Liu method, Youden index, and nearest neighbor method were used to determine the optimal cut-off point Results: The DMIND questionnaire showed strong validity, with an item-level CVI (I-CVI) and scale-level CVI (S-CVI) exceeding 1.0, indicating strong consensus on its relevance and utility. The tool also demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.88, indicating high accuracy in depression screening. An optimal cut-off score of 11.5 was identified, balancing predictive value and sensitivity. Conclusion: The DMIND questionnaire represents a significant advancement in innovative mental health diagnostics, addressing unmet clinical needs by providing accurate and efficient assessments capable of AI integration for further enhancing mental health service delivery in Thailand.

Relationship between Teacher's Sense of Self-Efficacy and Teaching Experience

This research investigates the relationships among three dimensions of self-efficacy: instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement in relation to years of teaching experience. Through convenience sampling method 100 female educators who had been teaching for one or more years was selected. Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) was used for this study, which consists of 12 items, administered to the participants. The reliability of the overall scale in this study was found to be excellent, a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.90 demonstrated a high internal consistency of the scale. The results indicate a strong positive correlation between overall self-efficacy and the effectiveness of classroom management as teaching experience increases. However, no significant correlation was observed between years of experience and the effectiveness of instructional strategies or student engagement. The findings highlight the significance of continuous support and development for educators at every stage of their careers, revealing a strong connection concerning professional experience and teacher efficacy.

Development and validation of a higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) scale for major students in the interior design discipline for blended learning

Assessing and cultivating students’ HOTS are crucial for interior design education in a blended learning environment. However, current research has focused primarily on the impact of blended learning instructional strategies, learning tasks, and activities on the development of HOTS, whereas few studies have specifically addressed the assessment of these skills through dedicated scales in the context of blended learning. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive scale for assessing HOTS in interior design major students within the context of blended learning. Employing a mixed methods design, the research involved in-depth interviews with 10 education stakeholders to gather qualitative data, which informed the development of a 66-item soft skills assessment scale. The scale was administered to a purposive sample of 359 undergraduate students enrolled in an interior design program at a university in China. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted to evaluate the underlying factor structure of the scale. The findings revealed a robust four-factor model encompassing critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork skills, and practical innovation skills. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.948–0.966) and satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. This scale provides a valuable instrument for assessing and cultivating HOTS among interior design major students in blended learning environments. Future research can utilize a scale to examine the factors influencing the development of these skills and inform instructional practices in the field.

Development of the assessment for emotional and behavioral problems in school-aged children

BackgroundSeveral assessments have been developed to assess school-aged children’s emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs), but none based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, Text Revision. This study aimed to develop the Assessment for Emotional and Behavioral Problems in School-aged children (AEBPS) fitting current knowledge of mental health disorders. Materials and methodsThis study included 2 phases. In Phase I, the assessment construct and its corresponding items were developed. In Phase II, the reliability and validity of the AEBPS were examined. ResultsThe AEBPS contains 120 items in five subscales. The psychometric results showed that the AEBPS subscales had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83–0.97) and acceptable to good test–retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.65–0.93). The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that most items within each subscale of the AEBPS significantly contributed to their respective concepts. The AEBPS subscales had small to high correlations with the subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (r = 0.37–0.87). The AEBPS had good discriminant validity to differentiate children with and without EBPs. ConclusionsThe newly-developed AEBPS fits the current knowledge of mental health diagnoses for assessing school-aged children’s EBPs and has sound psychometric evidence. The AEBPS can be reliably and validly used in a variety of settings.

Opioid Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (OPBSS): Development and psychometric evaluation.

Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are behaviors that individuals use to mitigate harm related to risky behaviors. Though measures have been validated to assess alcohol- and cannabis-specific PBS use, an opioid-specific PBS measure has yet to be validated. The present study developed and validated a tool to assess the extent of PBS employed by individuals who use licit and/or illicit opioids. We recruited a community sample of adults who endorsed past-month opioid use (n = 345) via online platforms to complete a baseline survey, and 277 participants (80.2%) also completed the 1-month follow-up survey. From PBS measures of other substances, harm reduction strategies found in the literature, and expert feedback, we developed the 60-item Opioid Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (OPBSS). We removed 14 items based on item and exploratory factor analyses, resulting in 46 retained items. A two-factor solution was supported: strategies focused on managing opioid use (Controlled Opioid Use) and preventing opioid-related harm (Serious Harm Reduction). The OPBSS subscales demonstrated high internal consistencies, fair-to-excellent test-retest reliability, significant positive associations with PBS measures for other substances, and robust associations with risky opioid use and opioid-related negative consequences, both concurrently and prospectively when controlling for other opioid characteristics. The 46-item OPBSS has promising psychometric properties. Importantly, more opioid PBS predicted less risky opioid use and related consequences, suggesting that opioid PBS may be a beneficial opioid prevention effort. However, additional psychometric work is needed to determine which PBS are most suitable for populations with distinct opioid use patterns. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Online Psychometric Performance of the Athens Insomnia Scale among Colombian People

Abstract Introduction The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) has shown acceptable performance in face-to-face applications. However, knowledge about AIS performance in online applications could be improved. Objective The study aimed to perform confirmatory factor, internal consistency, and differential item functioning analyses of AIS in two Colombian online samples. Material and methods Two samples were recruited online at different times (n = 700, M = 37.05, SD = 12.7 and n = 292, M = 60.4, SD = 17.6). Separated confirmatory factor analyses and Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega were computed for each factor. Results The data adjusted better for the AIS two-dimensional model in the general and clinical populations. Excellent internal consistency was observed among the general population sample and clinical sample. Conclusions The AIS shows a two-dimensional structure and high internal consistency in two online samples in Colombia. Corroboration of these findings in other samples is necessary.

Development and Psychometric Analysis of a Patient-Reported Measure of Diagnostic Excellence for Emergency and Urgent Care Settings.

Emergency and urgent care settings face challenges with routinely obtaining performance feedback related to diagnostic care. Patients and their care partners provide an important perspective on the diagnostic process and outcome of care in these settings. We sought to develop and test psychometric properties of Patient-Report to IMprove Diagnostic Excellence in Emergency Department settings (PRIME-ED), a measure of patient-reported diagnostic excellence in these care settings. We developed PRIME-ED based on literature review, expert feedback, and cognitive testing. To assess psychometric properties, we surveyed AmeriSpeak, a probability-based panel that provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population, in February 2022 to adult patients, or their care partners, who had presented to an emergency department or urgent care facility within the last 30 days. Respondents rated their agreement on a 5-point Likert scale with each of 17 statements across multiple domains of patient-reported diagnostic excellence. Demographics, visit characteristics, and a subset of the Emergency Department Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems were also collected. We conducted psychometric testing for reliability and validity. Over a thousand (n = 1116) national panelists completed the PRIME-ED survey, of which 58.7% were patients and 40.9% were care partners; 49.6% received care at an emergency department and 49.9% at an urgent care facility. Responses had high internal consistency within 3 patient-reported diagnostic excellence domain groupings: diagnostic process (Cronbach's alpha 0.94), accuracy of diagnosis (0.93), and communication of diagnosis (0.94). Domain groupings were significantly correlated with concurrent Emergency Department Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems items. Factor analyses substantiated 3 domain groupings. PRIME-ED has potential as a tool for capturing patient-reported diagnostic excellence in emergency and urgent care.

Validation of the PCL-5 in Dutch trauma-exposed adults

BackgroundThe PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is an internationally widely used self-report questionnaire that can be used to screen for probable diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Information on the psychometric properties of the Dutch PCL-5 is currently lacking.ObjectiveWe aimed to validate the Dutch PCL-5 in a sample of Dutch adults with prior (suspected) serious injury and establish the optimal cut-off for probable PTSD diagnosis herein.MethodsData for the current study were collected as part of a long-term follow-up measurement of the TraumaTIPS cohort, where adults admitted to an emergency department following (suspected) serious injury completed a follow-up measurement 12–15 years post-trauma. Of N = 333 eligible participants, n = 192 (57.7%) consented and completed the PCL-5 alongside self-report instruments measuring depression (QIDS), PTSD (IES-R), and quality of life (WHO-QOL and EQ-6D). In total, n = 185 participants also completed a clinician administered interview for PTSD (CAPS-5). Most participants were men (66%) and on average 54 years old (SD = 12.41). We evaluated the diagnostic utility of the PCL-5 using Youden index and tested reliability and convergent validity.ResultsThe PCL-5 demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy with a cut-off point of 16 resulting in an optimal Youden index (0.90) for screening purposes with a high sensitivity (1.00) and specificity (0.90). A cut-off of 22 yielded a slightly lower Youden index (0.84) but better positive predictive value (0.50 instead of 0.33) than the cut-off of 16. A cut-off of 29 resulted in the most accurate prevalence estimates. The PCL-5 showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.94), excellent inter-item and item-total correlations and good convergent validity (r > .5 for CAPS-5, IES-R and QIDS).ConclusionsThe PCL-5 is a reliable and valid measurement for PTSD symptoms and probable diagnosis and shows excellent screening abilities in Dutch adults with prior (suspected) serious injury, with a lower optimal cut-off compared to previously found in clinical populations. We recommend a cut-off of 22 for screening purposes and a cut-off of 29 for prevalence estimates in Dutch trauma-exposed adults.

VALIDAÇÃO DE WEBSITE PARA IMPLANTAÇÃO DO PROTOCOLO PERIOPERATÓRIO NA PROFILAXIA DE TROMBOEMBOLISMO VENOSO

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is the leading cause of preventable postoperative deaths. Identifying risk factors based on Virchow’s Triad (blood stasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial injury) is crucial. Approximately 20% of surgical patients develop VTE, with 7% resulting in fatal PE. The Caprini risk score, used to assess VTE risk, is complex and has limited adherence despite its validation across various specialties. Methodology: The applied research developed the application of a perioperative protocol for VTE prophylaxis in the Vascular Surgery ward of the Hospital Municipal de Marabá. The descriptive and quantitative study was structured via website. The 2013 version of the Caprini score was adopted for risk stratification. Validation of the tool involved 16 experts with inclusion criteria focused on doctors and nurses with experience in the area, where everyone responded to the Likert scale that evaluated 2 major domains of the tool: usability and functionality. Results: Among the 16 evaluators, 56,3% were male and 43,8% female, with an average age of 32,4 years and 7,6 years of experience. The system’s functionality received 97,5% approval, 96,3% of reliability, and 91,3% regarding interface and usability. The utility was well-rated, with 98,8% approving the professional facilitation. Chi-square tests indicated that functionality perception did not vary between physicians and nurses, but utility was significantly influenced by profession. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients indicated high internal consistency: 0,85 for functionality and 0,77 for utility. Discussion: The diverse profiles of the evaluators enriched the website’s validation. Functionality was consistently positively rated, while utility varied by professional role. High internal consistency suggests that the questionnaire is reliable for measuring website performance perceptions. Conclusion: The inclusion of the Caprini protocol in the Tupan Health website demonstrated good performance and high reliability among professionals, facilitating protocol adherence and the prevention of perioperative complications.

Psychometric Validation of the Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale among Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV.

LGBTQ + community connectedness is generally a protective health factor for sexual and gender minorities. However, existing scales have not been validated among Black sexual minority men living with HIV (SMMLWH), who face unique marginalized experiences that disproportionately impact several health outcomes compared to the general LGBT + community. We validated the Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale among Black SMMLWH. We validated the 9-item Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale from Frost and Meyer using preliminary data from a cohort of Mid-Atlantic Black SMMLWH (n = 650). Factor analysis and intercorrelations were conducted to assess unidimensionality, and Cronbach's alpha was measured for reliability. Correlations and cumulative ordinal regression models were generated using internalized homophobia, hopelessness, depression, HIV stigma, social support, and resilience as criterion constructs. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. The Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha = 0.948) and strong item intercorrelation with a single factor structure. The scale was associated with all criterion measures before and after adjustment, including lower internalized homophobia (aCOR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.15-0.25), lower hopelessness (aCOR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.41-0.68), lower HIV stigma (aCOR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.47-0.72), and lower depression (aCOR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.50-0.75). The scale was also associated with greater social support (aCOR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.91-2.97) and resilience (aCOR = 2.53, 95% CI 2.03-3.15). The Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale is a valid measure for use among Black SMMLWH. Future studies should explore relationships between community connectedness and HIV care outcomes and quality of life among Black SMMLWH.

ICF-based hearing and functioning assessment: validation and research outcomes of utilizing the HEAR-COMMAND tool for patients with mild to moderately severe hearing loss and individuals with normal hearing.

Current clinical assessments for Hearing Loss (HL) are often limited to controlled laboratory settings in which a narrow spectrum of hearing difficulties can be assessed. A majority of the daily life challenges caused by HL cannot be measured in clinical methodologies. To screen the individuals' needs and limitations, a questionnaire named the HEAR-COMMAND tool was developed and qualitatively validated through an international collaboration, aligning with the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Framework (ICF) Core Sets for Hearing Loss. The tool empowers healthcare professionals (HCPs) to integrate the ICF framework into patient assessments and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in clinical and non-clinical settings. The aim is to provide a general foundation and starting point for future applications in various areas including ENT and hearing acoustics. The outcome can be employed to define and support rehabilitation in an evidence-based manner. This article presents the validation and research outcomes of using the tool for individuals with mild to moderately severe HL in contrast to normal-hearing individuals. Using a cross-sectional multicenter study, the tool was distributed among 215 participants in Germany, the USA, and Egypt, filled in German, English, or Arabic. Three outcome scores and the corresponding disability degree were defined: hearing-related, non-hearing-related, and speech-perception scores. The content and construct validation were conducted, and the tool's internal consistency was assessed. The extracted constructs included "Auditory processing functionality", "Sound quality compatibility", "Listening and communication functionality", "Interpersonal interaction functionality and infrastructure accessibility", "Social determinants and infrastructure compatibility", "Other sensory integration functionality", and "Cognitive functionality". Regarding content validity, it was demonstrated that normal-hearing participants differed significantly from individuals with HL in the hearing-related and speech-perception scores. The reliability assessment showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9). The outcome demonstrated the HEAR-COMMAND tool's high content and construct validity. The tool can effectively represent the patient's perspective of HL and hearing-related functioning and enhance the effectiveness of the treatment plans and rehabilitation. The broad range of targeted concepts provides a unique overview of daily life hearing difficulties and their impact on the patient's functioning and quality of life.

Portuguese validation of the foot health status Questionnaire in patients with diabetic foot disease

Purpose This study aims to adapt and validate the Foot Health Status Questionnaire, developed by Bennett et al., in Portuguese patients with diabetic foot. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 143 patients with diabetic foot. A principal component analysis with oblique rotation and a confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling were performed. Results The Portuguese version of the FHSQ (FHSQ-PT) in patients with diabetic foot remains equal to the original version, although with all factors correlated with each other. All scales presented high internal consistency values (pain: ω = 0.884; function: ω = 0.890; general foot health: ω = 0.910; and footwear: ω = 0.702), except for the footwear scale, although with a minimum acceptable coefficient. The FHSQ-PT scales showed good convergent validity and good discriminant validity. The FHSQ-PT scales were also able to discriminate between male and female patients as well as between patients with an active diabetic foot ulcer from those who did not. Conclusions The results of the validated FHSQ-PT for Portuguese patients with diabetic foot showed good psychometric properties, being a useful, objective, and small instrument that may be used in clinical practice by health professionals without consuming too much time.

COGMED: a database for Chinese olfactory and gustatory metaphor

In recent years, metaphors have been used to understand how abstract concepts are processed, and developing metaphorical database can aid this research agenda. Accordingly, the present study aimed to produce a broad Chinese olfactory and gustatory database of metaphors. Expressions for two sensory types (olfaction/gustation) were compiled and classified according to two conditions (metaphorical/literal) and three parts of speech (adjective/noun/verb). To test the validity of this database, we enrolled 199 participants, of whom 97 completed the olfactory test (319 items) and 102 completed the gustatory test (352 items). Each item was rated on seven dimensions: familiarity, meaningfulness, figurativeness, valence, difficulty, imageability, and naturalness. Descriptive statistics and reliability and correlation analyses were conducted for the items under the two sensory types, two conditions, three parts of speech, and seven dimensions mentioned above. The results showed high internal consistency and split-half reliability for the participants’ scores; the correlations between the seven dimensions resembled those of previous studies. We concluded by suggesting several ways the database might be applied to aid future research efforts.