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Qualitative evaluation of the Autism Behavior Inventory: Use of cognitive interviewing to establish validity of a caregiver report scale for autism spectrum disorder
Gahan Pandina
Janssen Research and Development
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0050-3575
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Purpose: The Autism Behavior Inventory (ABI) is an observer-reported outcome scale measuring core and associated features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Extensive scale development (reported elsewhere) took place, in alignment with the Food and Drug Administration’s patient-reported outcome guidance, to address the need for instruments to measure change and severity of ASD symptoms.
Methods: Cognitive interviewing was used to confirm understanding and content validity of the scale prior to its use in clinical trials. Respondents were caregivers of individuals with ASD (N=50). Interviews used a hybrid of the “think-aloud” and verbal probing approach to assess ABI’s content validity and participant understanding of the instrument, including: item clarity and relevance; item interpretation; appropriateness of response scales; and clarity of instructions. Audio-recordings of the interviews were transcribed for qualitative data analysis. The scale was revised based on participant feedback and tested in a second round of interviews (round 1 N=38, round 2 N=12)
Results: In total, 67/70 items reached ≥90% understandability across participants. Caregivers were able to select an appropriate response from the options available and reported finding the examples helpful. Based on participant feedback, instructions were simplified, 8 items were removed, and 10 items were reworded. The final revised 62-item scale was presented in round 2, where caregivers reported readily understanding the instructions, response options, and 61/62 items reached ≥90% understandability.
Conclusions: Cognitive interviews with caregivers of a diverse sample of individuals with ASD confirm the content validity and relevance of the ABI to assess core and associated symptoms of ASD.
Keywords
autism, cognitive interview, caregiver-reported outcomes
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 2
Posted 05 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 20 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 20 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 20 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 20 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 20 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 17 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 17 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 17 Dec, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 20 Nov, 2020
Review #3 received
Received 19 Nov, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 15 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 11 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 08 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Aug, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 22 May, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 19 May, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 19 May, 2020
Editor assigned
On 28 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 27 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 27 Apr, 2020
First submitted
On 24 Apr, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
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This preprint is under consideration at Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Qualitative evaluation of the Autism Behavior Inventory: Use of cognitive interviewing to establish validity of a caregiver report scale for autism spectrum disorder
Gahan Pandina
Janssen Research and Development
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0050-3575
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 2
Posted 05 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 20 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 20 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 20 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 20 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 20 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 17 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 17 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 17 Dec, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 20 Nov, 2020
Review #3 received
Received 19 Nov, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 15 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 11 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 08 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 03 Aug, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 22 May, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 19 May, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 19 May, 2020
Editor assigned
On 28 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 27 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 27 Apr, 2020
First submitted
On 24 Apr, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Purpose: The Autism Behavior Inventory (ABI) is an observer-reported outcome scale measuring core and associated features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Extensive scale development (reported elsewhere) took place, in alignment with the Food and Drug Administration’s patient-reported outcome guidance, to address the need for instruments to measure change and severity of ASD symptoms.
Methods: Cognitive interviewing was used to confirm understanding and content validity of the scale prior to its use in clinical trials. Respondents were caregivers of individuals with ASD (N=50). Interviews used a hybrid of the “think-aloud” and verbal probing approach to assess ABI’s content validity and participant understanding of the instrument, including: item clarity and relevance; item interpretation; appropriateness of response scales; and clarity of instructions. Audio-recordings of the interviews were transcribed for qualitative data analysis. The scale was revised based on participant feedback and tested in a second round of interviews (round 1 N=38, round 2 N=12)
Results: In total, 67/70 items reached ≥90% understandability across participants. Caregivers were able to select an appropriate response from the options available and reported finding the examples helpful. Based on participant feedback, instructions were simplified, 8 items were removed, and 10 items were reworded. The final revised 62-item scale was presented in round 2, where caregivers reported readily understanding the instructions, response options, and 61/62 items reached ≥90% understandability.
Conclusions: Cognitive interviews with caregivers of a diverse sample of individuals with ASD confirm the content validity and relevance of the ABI to assess core and associated symptoms of ASD.
Figure 1
Figure 2