Papers by Sanneke Schouwstra
Theoretical and Practical Advances in Computer-based Educational Measurement, 2019
The purpose of the present study was to explore whether it is possible to collect high-quality da... more The purpose of the present study was to explore whether it is possible to collect high-quality data about children's spoken interaction skills using the Fischerspiel board game as an entertaining, non-threatening means to evoke conversations between children in special elementary education. The game was administered to a total of 681 eleven-and twelve-year-old children with varying educational needs. The quality of the conversations between the children was evaluated with a specially designed observation form. The observation forms were filled in by trained test leaders and four independent expert raters. Video recordings showed that almost all children were willing to participate in the game, even the children who usually barely speak in class. Moreover, the game provided more than sufficient data to assess different dimensions of spoken interaction skills. Analyses further showed that the observation form functioned well and provided reliable scores. A group effect was nevertheless present and two test leaders deviated largely from the expert raters. These test leaders may have been insufficiently equipped to cope with the task. Application of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology in a (computer-based) spoken interaction assessment might ease the task and increase rating quality.
Assessment, 1996
The response scale of the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire (PAQ) is nonverbal and is composed of five ... more The response scale of the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire (PAQ) is nonverbal and is composed of five photographs of a face showing an expression of anxiety. To test if subjects can discriminate accurately between these photographs, a painvise comparison experiment was conducted with 488 subjects. The results of this experiment warrant the use of the photographs as a response scale. The subjects accurately discriminated between the photographs and ranked the photographs from relaxed to very anxious, as predicted. The agreement between the subjects is not very satisfactory, but this could be less a problem when using the PAQ, as the PAQ photographs are presented in ascending order of anxiety level. Because the female photographs were judged to be more anxious than the equivalent male photographs and the results of the female photographs were more satisfactory, we suggest that only female photographs be used with both male and female respondents. Most questionnaires for measuring dental anxiety are based on the assumption that respondents fully understand the language which is used (Stouthard, de Jongh, & Hoogstraten, 1991). The problematic character of this assumption is illustrated by the research of Roberts, Rhoades, and Vernon (1990), which found that the cultural background and the native language of the respondents were obstacles in detecting anxiety using a self-report questionnaire. To counter this problem, the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire (PAQ; Stouthard et al., 1991) was designed in such a way that it relies only moderately on the reading skills of the Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Sanneke J. Scliouwstra, University of Amsterdam, Department of Methodology, Roetcrsstraat 15, 1018 \\'I3 Amsterdam, The Netherlands. respondents. This was achieved by using a nonverbal response scale, and by using 10 very short sentences referring to the approach of the dental treatment (e.g., "one month before your visit to the dentist," "a day before your visit to the dentist," "in the waiting room of the dentist," and "during treatment"). The response scale consists of five photographs of a face showing an expression of anxiety. The photographs differ in the intensity of the anxiety the face expresses and are ranked from relaxed to very anxious. The respondents have to choose the photograph that corresponds most accurately to the level of anxiety they expect to experience at the moment mentioned in the short sentences. Research on the use of photographs of facial expressions has indicated that the expression of
Psychological Reports, 1996
In a split-ballot experiment ( N = 458) we tested, first, to what extent the logical presentation... more In a split-ballot experiment ( N = 458) we tested, first, to what extent the logical presentation of the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire forces respondents into the usual response pattern, that is, a higher reported anxiety on items mentioning a time closer to dental treatment. Secondly, we tested whether subjects use the nonverbal response scale or merely use the position of the photographs on the scale when answering the questions. The original questionnaire had the highest reliability and was least influenced by response bias. Changing the order of the photographs on the response scale did not alter the response pattern, implying that subjects do react to the intensity displayed in the photographs and not just to the position of the photograph on the scale. Because changing the order of the items altered the response pattern only marginally, the response pattern usually found does not seem to be the direct consequence of the logical presentation of the Photo Anxiety Questionnaire.
Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1995
A sample of 60 first-year psychology students judged the emotional state of 21 drawn figures and ... more A sample of 60 first-year psychology students judged the emotional state of 21 drawn figures and completed the Adjective Checklist and a mood questionnaire. The judgements were affected by the interaction between head position and spinal position of the figure. Each figure was associated with a unique pattern of emotions, and the judgements given were not influenced by the subjects' own emotional state.
European Journal of Communication, 2007
A B S T R A C T ■ An Internet survey of 765 parents examined (1) to what extent parents wanted to... more A B S T R A C T ■ An Internet survey of 765 parents examined (1) to what extent parents wanted to be informed by ratings of harmful videogames for their children (four to 18 years), (2) which content descriptors interested them, (3) which parents were most interested and (4) how parental mediation of the child's gaming related to their interest in ratings and content descriptors. The majority of parents thought it very necessary to have ratings. Warnings of realistic `gore and gross' were considered most important, followed by warnings regarding alcohol/drugs, fantasy violence, bad language and, finally, nudity. A LISREL model showed that the ratings and most content descriptors were used as tools for restrictive and active parental mediation, in relation to parents' ideas on negative game effects. The mediation strategy of social co-play was strongly associated with the parents' own gaming and views on positive game effects. ■
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Papers by Sanneke Schouwstra