Journal of pediatric psychology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Developmental differences in children's use of rating scales.
To examine the effect of child age and number of response choices on children's tendency to respond at the extremes of Likert-type scales rating emotional states. ⋯ These results indicate that young children may respond in an extreme manner when rating emotional states. Researchers and clinicians should take this into account when interpreting children's self-reporting ratings.
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To identify methodologic problems found in follow-up studies of infants at biologic and environmental risk and provide solutions and recommendations. ⋯ Main-effect models are not useful; confounding and mediating variables must be identified. In addition, the following are needed: alternative analytic techniques, more precise subject selection and characterization of risk factors, geographically defined samples, broadened scope of outcome measures, and use of epidemiologic techniques.