CONTENT VALIDITY OF THE HARRIS INFANT NEUROMOTOR TEST

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to assess the co ntent validity of the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT), a new scre ening tool designed to detect early signs of cognitive and neuromotor delays in infants with known risk factors. Subjects. A multidisciplina ry panel of 26 international experts, including researchers and clinic ians in physical therapy, occupational therapy, developmental pediatri cs, child neurology, and psychology, was selected to assess, review, a nd suggest modifications to the HINT. Methods. A validity questionnair e that was keyed to the three parts of the HINT (background informatio n, parent questionnaire, and infant assessment) and to individual item s within each part was mailed to the selected content experts. Data we re analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results. Twenty experts comp leted the validity questionnaires, and the remaining 6 experts provide d written comments. The experts generally agreed that the items on the initial development edition of the HINT were clearly worded and free of cultural bias. Based on written feedback, additional background inf ormation items were added, a fifth question was added to the parent qu estionnaire portion, and 20 of the 22 infant assessment items were mod ified. Conclusion and Discussion. After receiving questionnaire respon ses and written comments from a panel of 26 experts, the original vers ion of the HINT was modified and printed as development edition 2 in N ovember 1993. This revised edition is currently being used to examine the reliability and validity of the HINT in assessing infants at risk.