Construction and validation of computer-based short-term memory tests

U ovom istraživanju konstruirali smo tri računalna testa kratkoročnog pamćenja te proveli njihovu psihometrijsku validaciju na 383 ispitanika. 1) Test prostornog pamćenja (namijenjen mjerenju prostornog vizualnog kratkoročnog pamćenja) pokazao je dobre psihometrijske karakteristike: dobru osjetljivost (raspon i broj različitih rezultata odgovaraju teoretskim maksimumima, prosječni indeks lakoće iznosi p=.66, Fergusonov indeks osjetljivosti delta iznosi δ=.96) i dobru pouzdanost (Cronbachov α=.87). Postignuće na testu opada s dobi i značajno pozitivno korelira s Verbalnom serijom inteligencije (VSI) (r=.50; p<.01). 2) Test predmetnog pamćenja (namijenjen mjerenju predmetnog vizualnog kratkoročnog pamćenja) pokazao je slabe psihometrijske karakteristike: nisku osjetljivost (raspon iznosi 20 od 33, broj različitih rezultata 19 i visoki prosječni indeks lakoće p=.79) i nisku pouzdanost (α=.64). Postignuće na testu opada s dobi. 3) Test alfanumeričkog pamćenja (namijenjen mjerenju verbalnog kratkoročnog pamćenja) pokazao je također slabe psihometrijske karakteristike: nisku osjetljivost (raspon iznosi 15 od 40, broj različitih rezultata 16 i visoki prosječni indeks lakoće p=.81) i nisku pouzdanost (α=.64). Postignuće na testu opada s dobi i značajno pozitivno korelira s VSI (r=.29; p<.05). Predlaže se otežavanje testova, primjena na širem uzorku te dodatna provjera kriterijske valjanosti.Three computer-based short-term memory measures were constructed and psychometrically validated on 383 subjects. 1) Spatial memory test, intended to measure spatial visual short-term memory, displayed good psychometrical characteristics: sensitivity was good (with range and the number of distinct results at their theoretical maximum, average difficulty index p=.66, and Ferguson’s sensitivity index ẟ=.96), and reliability was good (Cronbach’s α=.87). Results dropped with age, and a significant correlation with VSI (a verbal abstract thinking test) was observed (r=.50; p<.01). 2) Object Memory Test, intended to measure object visual short-term memory, displayed poor psychometrical characteristics: sensitivity was poor (with range of 20 out of 33, the number of distinct results at 19, and high average difficulty index p=.79), and reliability was poor (Cronbach’s α=.64). Results dropped with age. 3) Alphanumeric Memory Test, intended to measure verbal short-term memory, displayed poor psychometrical characteristics as well: sensitivity was poor (with range of 15 out of 40, the number of distinct results at 19, and high average difficulty index p=.81), and reliability was poor (Cronbach’s α=.63). A significant correlation with VSI was observed (r=.29; p<.05). Recommendations for further steps include increasing difficulty level of tests, an application of tests on wider samples, and an additional investigation of criterion validity