Palpa: An appreciation and a few criticisms

Abstract

Evaluation of such a complex phenomenon as aphasia poses many theoretical problems, the most important of which refers to definition of the object of study, in this case aphasia. The test used will differ according to the definition of aphasia used, since the pattern of included and excluded tasks depends on what is considered important. Results will only confirm or fail to confirm expectations, and only exceptionally will something totally new and unexpected be found with reference to the definition given. To put it another way, results depend on the methodology adopted.