Methods for testing data quality, scaling assumptions, and reliability: the IQOLA Project approach. International Quality of Life Assessment

Abstract

Following the translation development stage, the second research stage of the IQOLA Project tests the assumptions underlying item scoring and scale construction. This article provides detailed information on the research methods used by the IQOLA Project to evaluate data quality, scaling and scoring assumptions, and the reliability of the SF-36 scales. Tests include evaluation of item and scale-level descriptive statistics; examination of the equality of item-scale correlations, item internal consistency and item discriminant validity; and estimation of scale score reliability using internal consistency and test-retest methods. Results from these tests are used to determine if standard algorithms for the construction and scoring of the eight SF-36 scales can be used in each country and to provide information that can be used in translation improvement.