Effects of computer administration on the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) with a special focus on the item sequence

Based on the revised version of the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), a study w as conducted involving 400 university students. (1)A paper-pencil version w as compared with a computer-administered version, and (2) the original item arrangement was contrasted with the presentation of the blocked items of e ach subscale. Computer administration did not influence the means of the su bscales. No interactions were shown with the factor "gender." Item-blocking led to higher means. Neither PC administration nor item sequence changed t he variances. Changes in internal consistencies were unsystematic and hardl y interpretable. Paper-pencil and PC versions of the SCL-90-R are comparabl e.