This paper first analyzed two studies on rater factors and rating criteria to raise the problem of rater agreement. After that the author reveals the causes of discrepencies in rating administration by discussing rater variability and rater bias. The author argues that rater bias can not be eliminated completely, we can only reduce the error to a cetain degree by training raters. The study on r...

BACKGROUND Severity grading is important for the assessment of psoriasis treatment efficacy. This is most commonly achieved by using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), a subjective tool with inherent inter-rater and intra-rater variability. PASI-naive dermatologists require training to properly conduct a PASI assessment. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we aimed to investigate wheth...

This study examined the influence of rater training and scoring context on the manifestation of rater effects in a group of trained raters. 120 raters participated in the study and experienced one of three training/scoring contexts: (a) online training in a distributed scoring context, (b) online training in a regional scoring context, and (c) stand-up training in a regional context. After trai...

OBJECTIVE The evaluation and training of raters who conduct efficacy evaluations in clinical trials is an important methodological variable that is often overlooked. Few rater training programs focus on teaching and assessing applied clinical skills, and even fewer have been empirically examined for efficacy. The goal of this study was to develop a comprehensive, standardized, interactive rater...

BACKGROUND Global performance rating is frequently used in clinical training despite its known psychometric drawbacks. Inter-rater reliability is low in undergraduate training but better in residency training, possibly because residency offers more opportunities for supervision. The low or moderate predictive validity of global performance ratings in undergraduate and residency training may be ...

INTRODUCTION There is a need for reliable and practical interprofessional simulations that measure collaborative practice in outpatient/community scenarios where most health care takes place. The authors applied generalizability theory to examine reliability in an ambulatory care scenario using the following 2 trained observer groups: standardized patient (SP, actor) raters and those who receiv...

OBJECTIVE To examine the reliability of the Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC) in children and adults with a myoelectric prosthetic hand. DESIGN Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability estimated from reported assessments by 3 different raters. PATIENTS A sample of convenience of 26 subjects (11 males, 15 females) with upper limb reduction deficiency or amputation and myoe...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Outcome measurement fidelity within and between sites of multi-site, randomized, clinical trials is an essential element to meaningful trial outcomes. As important are the methods developed for randomized, clinical trials that can have practical utility for clinical practice. A standardized measurement method and rater training program were developed for the total Fugl-Me...