PRISM measure development: The design and validation of the computer proficiency questionnaire...9th World Conference of the International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG), June 18-21, 2014, Taipei, Taiwan.

Purpose Efficient and effective computer and internet training depends on an understanding of an older adult's existing level of proficiency. However, in the development of the PRISM trial (assessing whether a specialized computer system can improve the well-being of older adults at risk for isolati...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gerontechnology Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 74 - 76
Main Authors: BOOT, W. R., CHARNESS, N., CZAJA, S. J., SHARIT, J., ROGERS, W. A., FISK, A. D., MITZNER, T., LEE, C.-C., NAIR, S.
Format: abstract proceedings research Journal Article
Published: International Society for Gerontechnology 2014 Special Issue
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=180444703&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 180444703
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        15691101
        904R
      jtl: Gerontechnology
      issn: 15691101
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: 2014 Special Issue
      vid: 13
      iid: 2
      pid: 54298
      pub: International Society for Gerontechnology
    artinfo:
      ui:
        180444703
        180444703
        180444703
        10.4017/gt.2014.13.02.035.00
        180444703
      ppf: 74
      ppct: 2
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: PRISM measure development: The design and validation of the computer proficiency questionnaire...9th World Conference of the International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG), June 18-21, 2014, Taipei, Taiwan.
      aug:
        au:
          BOOT, W. R.
          CHARNESS, N.
          CZAJA, S. J.
          SHARIT, J.
          ROGERS, W. A.
          FISK, A. D.
          MITZNER, T.
          LEE, C.-C.
          NAIR, S.
        affil: Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
      sug:
        subj:
          Computer Systems
          Gerontologic Care
          Knowledge
          Assistive Technology
          Reliability and Validity
          User-Computer Interface In Old Age
          Congresses and Conferences Taiwan
          Taiwan
          Aged
          Aged: 65+ years
      ab: Purpose Efficient and effective computer and internet training depends on an understanding of an older adult's existing level of proficiency. However, in the development of the PRISM trial (assessing whether a specialized computer system can improve the well-being of older adults at risk for isolation), we discovered that existing measures of computer proficiency are not suitable for people targeted by the PRISM trial who do not use computers. Measures were often designed for and validated with sample populations consisting of young adults or older adults who have ample computer experience. Existing measures also contained jargon, did not focus on computer activities predicted to be important for maintaining functional independence, and focused on experience rather than proficiency. As a result, we developed a new measure of proficiency and assessed its reliability and validity within our PRISM intervention sample and a sample of older adults who have computer experience. Subscale measures focused on measuring proficiency related to computer activities that are predicted to facilitate social support, communication, information access, prospective memory, and cognitive engagement. Here we present new data from the intervention, which further validate the Computer Proficiency Questionnaire (CPQ) measurements by demonstrating increased proficiency over time after PRISM computer training and exposure. Method After pilot testing our new CPQ, we used baseline PRISM data (n=300) in addition to a sample of computer-proficient older adults (n=76) to demonstrate the reliability and validity of the CPQ1. We also measured CPQ scores over the course of a 12-month exposure to the PRISM computer system. Results & Discussion We previously reported that the CPQ is a valid measure which correlates with both age and technology experience and, using discriminant analysis, can easily distinguish experienced and inexperienced computer users (>94% correct classification rate). The CPQ and each of its subscales were also found to be highly reliable (Cronbach's alpha=0.98, all CPQ subscales >0.86). To further demonstrate the validity of the CPQ, we examined changes in CPQ scores of older adults in the PRISM computer condition compared to participants in the non-computer control condition. After PRISM computer training and exposure, initial analyses indicated that PRISM participants demonstrated a significant increase in overall computer proficiency compared to the control condition as measured by the CPQ. Differential improvement in proficiency was also observed on each of the CPQ subscales. The ability of the CPQ to detect changes in proficiency as a function of training further establishes it as a valid measure, and significant changes in proficiency confirm the usefulness of the training developed for the PRISM computer system and the ease with which it can be mastered.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        abstract
        proceedings
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N