Speech Perception Assessments: An Investigation of Validity and Clinical Implications

Christena Armento

Co-Presenters: Anjela Gaimaro, Madison Reel

College: College of Health Professions and Human Services

Major: MA.SPEECH-LNGPATH

Faculty Research Mentor: Patten, Sarah  

Abstract:

Speech-Language Pathologists rely on effective assessments to establish needs and baseline evidence for their clients. The validity of some assessments have been challenged (LEADERS, n.d., Meyer & Pisoni, 2012), undermining efficacy considerations. Speech Perception Assessments (SPAs) are available in both open and closed set formats, and their construct validity has been questioned (Schafer, 2010). This study aims to examine those SPAs in more detail, particularly their content validity. Northwestern University Children’s Perception of Speech (NU-CHIPS), McCormick Toy Discrimination Test, and Phonetically Balanced Kindergarten Test (PBK) tests contents were thoroughly analyzed. The NU-CHIPS and the McCormick tests are closed-set tests; the NU-CHIPS uses picture stimuli, while the McCormick test uses toy manipulatives to target word lists. The PBK is an open-set test that uses a target word list presented auditorily to the participants.Each of the tests were looked at for phonetic components, word familiarity, word categories, etc. The data was considered within and between tests using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, and content analysis on words. Our hypothesis is that test content validity may not be the same as the authors of these tests originally claimed. These researchers also considered the strength of each one of these assessments. SLPs should be aware of these implications when administering SPAs to help determine clinical decision making.