Design and Psychometrics of a Tool for Assessing Clinical Skills of Using "Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The Severity of Stuttering Instrument-fourth edition (SSI-4) form can be used to assess the severity of stuttering. In this study, in order to increase students’ competence and objectively assess their clinical skills, the validity and reliability of the DOPS test in assessing the clinical skills of speech therapy students in using the SSI-4 form were assessed. Methods: This study was a non-interventional descriptive study conducted in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences. Nineteen students were selected by the census method. An evaluation checklist related to the DOPS method was prepared. After obtaining the consent and training of students and examiners on the implementation of the DOPS assessment method, the student’s work was observed by the examiners and rated, and then the student’s strengths and weaknesses were given feedback. Results: The results showed that the questions are related to the measured subject and have high face validity. The content validity index was more than 0.9, and the content validity ratio was more than 0.6. The results confirmed the test's reliability and indicated the optimal internal structure of the test and its structural validity. Conclusion: According to this study, the use of the DOPS test to objectively assess the clinical skills of speech therapy students in the assessment of stuttering is appropriate and according to the results, DOPS has appropriate validity and reliability and this test can be used clinically.

Evidence-Based Assessment of Developmental Disorders

“…The Stuttering Severity Instrument, 4th edition (SSI-F; Riley, 2009) is recommended for this purpose. SSI-F is a reliable and valid norm-referenced assessment measuring stuttering severity in children at least 2 years of age and in adults (Kahani et al, 2021; Table 1). The SSI-F assesses frequency and duration of stuttering, physical concomitants, and the naturalness of the individual's speech.…”