OBJECTIVES To assess the criterion-related validity of the five Ergo-Kit (EK) functional capacity evaluation (FCE) lifting tests in construction workers on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). METHODS Six weeks, 6 months and 1 year after the first sick leave day due to MSDs, construction workers underwent two isometric and three dynamic EK FCE lifting tests, and completed the I...

Aim: The aim of the review was to determine the predictive validity of selected pressure ulcer risk assessment scales. Prediction of a risk of pressure ulcers is a priority issue in nursing. In the foreign literature, there are currently lots of research studies dealing with the validity of pressure ulcer risk assessment scales. Methods: The data sources were articles in three licenced, free an...

This study compares the relative utility of similarity data gathered using either direct pairwise ratings or feature-derived methods in regards to generating spatial representational models of fifteen well-known semantic categories. We assess both the extent to which the different similarity data sets can be accurately represented by a spatial model (representational goodness of fit), and the a...

Model-based analysis of psychophysiological signals is more robust to noise - compared to standard approaches - and may furnish better predictors of psychological state, given a physiological signal. We have previously established the improved predictive validity of model-based analysis of evoked skin conductance responses to brief stimuli, relative to standard approaches. Here, we consider som...

In this study we investigate the quality of the selection process of an open access (OA) journal, taking as an example the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP). ACP is working with a new system of public peer review. We examined the predictive validity of the ACP peer review system – namely, whether the process selects the best of the manuscripts submitted. We have data for 1111 manu...

There has been an increase in the use of pre-admission selection tests for medicine. Such tests need to show good psychometric properties. Here, we use a paper by Emery and Bell [2009. The predictive validity of the Biomedical Admissions Test for pre-clinical examination performance. Med Educ 43:557-564] as a case study to evaluate and comment on the reporting of psychometric data in the field ...

The use of actuarial risk/need assessment tools is an increasingly important part of the correctional landscape. Actuarial tools ideally will provide a valid, dynamic assessment of an offender's overall risk/need level, and will identify their most prevalent criminogenic needs. What results is typically a number or score that can be used to assign an offender to a risk level that is associated ...