Instrument to evaluate the perception of minimal contrasts in Chilean Sign Language – reliability evidence

Abstract

Purpose: Obtain evidence of the test reliability to evaluate the perception of minimum contrasts in Chilean Sign Language (LSCh). Methods: Ten deaf children and adolescents aged between 7 and 14 years participated in this study. They were evaluated with the test of perception of minimal contrasts in LSCh. The test was reapplied 11 and 14 days after the first application (test-retest reliability). Spearman’s Rho correlation was performed. During the first application, authorization was requested from the parents of the children and adolescents to record the responses of the participants so that another evaluator could re-score the protocols, in order to obtain inter-rater reliability. First-order agreement coefficient (AC1) Gwet’s was used for data analysis. Results: Test-retest obtained a strong and significant correlation (Rho= 0.741; p=0.014). The concordance values obtained inter-rater vary between 0.962 and 1 (p<0.001), indicating that the test presents almost perfect concordance. Conclusion: The minimum pairs perception test in LSCh presents satisfactory test-retest and inter-rater reliability.