Practitioners' views of the Griffiths scales : informing the revision process

• Main Author: Samuel, Candice
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 2014
• Subjects: Psychological tests for children > South Africa; Griffiths Developmental Scales; Child development > Testing
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021062

The Association for Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD) is currently in the process of revising the Griffiths Scales. When revising measures, obtaining practitioners’ views on the measure is common practice. The purpose of the present study was to explore the themes emerging from a group of practitioners surveyed on their opinions about the Griffiths Scales in order to inform the Griffiths Scales revision process. A qualitative, survey methodology was used. A survey questionnaire was designed and distributed by the ARICD to ascertain practitioners’ and researchers’ views on assessing child development, insights into practicalities and the usability of the Griffiths Scales, as well as their opinions on potential changes and improvements. Data were also gathered on the frequency, purpose and age range with which practitioners used the Griffiths Scales. The questionnaire was distributed to Registered Griffiths Scales Users (practitioners) via the ARICD members’ email distribution list. The practitioners and researchers were either current or past users of the Griffiths Scales. Eighty-five completed questionnaires were returned of which 52 were from current, regular users of the Griffiths Scales and 33 were from non-users. The data obtained from the 85 returned questionnaires were analysed in the present research study using thematic analysis to extract themes for both users and non-users of the Griffiths Scales. The results of the data analysis revealed four over-arching themes, namely, purpose and use of the Griffiths Scales; domains, content, and structure of the Griffiths Scales; psychometric properties, standardisation, and norms; and merits, limitations, and improvements. Based on the themed views of practitioners, recommendations were made regarding the support for the next revision cycle as well as strengths of the Griffiths Scales that should be retained and improvements and additions needed. It is hoped that these recommendations will guide aspects of the revision process. Consequently, the recommendations have been submitted to the Project Board.