Scoring HDQLIFE Measures
Scoring
When data are collected through REDCap, HDQLIFE™ CATs, fixed short forms and scales (except HDQLIFE Meaning and Purpose) are automatically scored as they are being administered. HDQLIFE Meaning and Purpose is not available in REDCap or in the Assessment Center API.
When data are collected on paper or in data collection systems other than REDCap, scoring of HDQLIFE fixed short forms or scales can be calculated by using look-up tables to transform a raw score to a T-score. T-score distributions rescale raw scores into standardized scores with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation (SD) of 10. For adults, a clinical reference population (HD) was used for all HDQLIFE measures. You can find look-up tables in the User Manual.
HDQLIFE short forms or scales (except HDQLIFE Meaning and Purpose) can also be scored with the Assessment Center Scoring Service. This software application enables item response theory (IRT) calculated scoring of any short form, fixed or custom. The Scoring Service accepts a user’s data file and produces a scored output file containing Theta, a T-score, and a standard error for each respondent. This service allows for accurate scoring of HDQLIFE measures collected on paper or in data collection systems other than REDCap. The Assessment Center Scoring Service may be accessed from www.assessmentcenter.net and by clicking on the "Scoring Service" button on the right of the page.
Important: A higher HDQLIFE T-score represents more of the concept being measured. For symptoms and other negatively-worded concepts such as Chorea, a T-score of 60 is worse than the averaged reference population. For positively-worded concepts such as Meaning and Purpose, a T-score of 60 is better than the averaged reference population.
Custom short forms cannot be scored using the provided look-up tables. For information on scoring a custom short form, please use the Assessment Center Scoring Service referenced above.
For a more in-depth explanation on scoring, including instructions on how to approximate a score if a participant skips questions, please refer to the User Manuals.