Comparison of the standard and the computerized versions of the Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R): a randomized trial

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether computer admini stration of the Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) is equivalent to paper-and-pe ncil originals. Method: 282 psychosomatic outpatients were randomly assigned to computer or paper-and-pencil conditions. Statistical equivalence tests were used to ex amine psychometric equivalence for the means. Reliabilities and correlation s were compared for the two methods of administration. Results: No systematic differences were observed in group means for most of the subscales. Subjects of the computer-administered group scored higher o n the SCL-90-R subscale 'Obsessive-Compulsive' and 'Anger-Hostility' than t he control subjects. Gender and administration ;mode interaction was observ ed for one subscale, while age and administration interaction was observed for another subscale. Conclusion: Using computer-administered tests makes administration and scor ing of tests more efficient. The differences between the two administration modes were small, although noticeable. Further research is needed to deter mine whether computer environment, computer experience and age may influenc e the test results.