Questionnaire reliability and validity for aluminum potroom workers

Scand J Work Environ Health. 1989 Oct;15(5):364-70. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1838.

Abstract

As a part of a study on the respiratory symptoms of aluminum potroom workers, the reliability of a self-administered questionnaire and an interview questionnaire was studied with the use of 261 and 49 employees, respectively. The validity of the self-administered questionnaire (134 persons examined) and the interview questionnaire (90 persons examined) was assessed in a comparison of the statements with the case histories. The reliability of the self-administered questionnaire was fairly high, the kappa coefficient ranging from 0.58 to 0.83, while the reliability of the interview questionnaire varied from -0.03 to 0.45. The same pattern was present with regard to validity, as the self-administered questionnaire showed the highest mean sensitivity, specificity, and agreement in a comparison with the case histories. The self-administered questionnaire seemed to discriminate well between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, whereas supplemental information about symptoms, as obtained by a standardized interview questionnaire, appeared to be less valid.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aluminum / adverse effects*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Norway
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / etiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Aluminum