LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 11 : 7 July 2011
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.

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Degree of Satisfaction and/or Dissatisfaction with
Standardised Language Tests

Suman Kumar, M.Sc. (A and SR), M.A. Linguistics
Nachiketa Rout, M.Sc. (HLS)
Piyali Kundu, M.A.SLP

Abstract

There is little research evidence regarding clinicians’ performance about standardized tests of language development and their degree of satisfaction with test and testing process. The opinion of Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) regarding the utility of tests is crucial in the implementation and success of a rehabilitation program.

This study investigates the degree of satisfaction/dissatisfaction about standardized tests of language development. This study reports the results of a survey of 40 SLPs in a variety of work setting across the country. SLPs rated their degree of satisfaction with several factors associated with testing: time available for test administration and interpretation, funding available for purchasing tests, and psychometric properties of test.

The findings indicated that SLPs are dis-satisfied with time for administration, scoring, interpretation and availability of test material and are neutral with psychometric reliability and money for test purchase. Possible reasons of participants’ dissatisfaction are also explored. The findings of this study will provide useful information to develop standardized tests based on linguistic variations (dialects), socio-economic status and age.

Two Types of Tests

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) usually use two types of language tests i.e., formal tests and informal tests. Informal tests are those which provide the baseline information about communication ability. On the other hand, formal language tests are used to quantify the linguistic capability. Formal tests provide fixed score, can be recorded easily, also help to derive therapeutic guidelines for management and to document therapeutic gain. The efficacy of a scientific method to a great extent depends upon the capability to qualitatively and quantitatively document findings. Many formal tests, which we use, are not cultural specific or context sensitive. It is difficult to draw conclusion based on these tests. These tests are also expensive, need training to be administered and are time consuming.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Suman Kumar, M.Sc. (A and SR), M.A. Linguistics
Department of Speech and Hearing
A.Y.J.N.I.H.H, ERC
B.T. Road, Bon Hooghly
Kolkata-700090
West Bengal
India
sumank16@yahoo.com

Nachiketa Rout, M.Sc. (HLS)
Department of Speech and Hearing
A.Y.J.N.I.H.H, ERC
B.T. Road, Bon Hooghly
Kolkata-700090
West Bengal
India
sumank16@yahoo.com
nachiketa_raut@yahoo.com

Piyali Kundu
MASLP
Department of Material Development
A.Y.J.N.I.H.H.
K .C.Marg, Bandra Reclamation (W)
Mumbai - 400050
Maharashtra
India
piyali_email@yahoo.co.in

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