Web Survey Bibliography

Title Psychometric properties of online self-report memory questionnaires: The EMQ and PMQ
Author Buchanan, T., Ali, T., Heffernan, T. M., Ling, J., Parrott, A. C., Rodgers, J., Scholey, A. B.
Year 2002
Access date 21.04.2004
Abstract While objective techniques provide the most reliable assessments of memory, self-report questionnaires (e.g. Everyday Memory Questionnaire, Sunderland et al, 1983; Prospective Memory Questionnaire, Hannon et al., 1995) can also provide valuable information about the extent to which participants experience their memory as being impaired (e.g. by head injury). In the context of an online study exploring links between memory and recreational drug use, 763 participants completed online versions of the EMQ and PMQ. The EMQ measures slips in "normal" memory function (e.g. forgetting where you have put something). The PMQ measures failures to remember to do things at some future point in time (e.g. make an important phone call) and has four subscales, measuring Long Term Episodic, Short Term Episodic and Internally Cued prospective memory, as well as Techniques to Remember (the use of strategies to aid memory). While the EMQ was found to have satisfactory internal reliability, the expected factor structure was not found for the PMQ. In an exploratory factor analysis (extraction of four principal components followed by Varimax rotation) only two subscales (Long Term and Techniques to Remember) were clearly identifiable. These two subscales had acceptable reliability. On the basis of the current sample, it is concluded that the EMQ and two of the PMQ's subscales are acceptable for use online. We would recommend against online use of the PMQ Short Term and Internally Cued subscales in the absence of evidence that they are valid measures of the intended constructs. Additionally, the current findings provide support for the notion (Buchanan, 2002) that the psychometric properties of self-report questionnaires may change subtly when converted for use online, and reinforces the need to establish the psychometric adequacy of any questionnaire used on the web.
Access/Direct link Homepage - conference (abstract)
Year of publication2002
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
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Web Survey Bibliography - Buchanan, T. (22)