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Abstract
Objective: This paper presents a clear methodological example for practitioners' evaluation of rapid assessment instruments' psychometric error. Participants: One hundred and twenty nine incarcerated multiple offender drunk drivers were administered 3 rapid assessment instruments. The average age was 39, males comprised 83% and 81% were white. Thirty percent were married; 45% had never married. Method: Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis compared instrument scores to a criterion diagnosis. False positive and false negative rates were graphed, tabled and examined. Findings: All three instruments were reliable (alpha > .85) but subject to false positive and/or false negative diagnostic rates in excess of 14%. Conclusion: Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis is an effective practical methodology for evaluating the performance of rapid assessment instruments in clinical settings allowing practitioners to knowingly manage psychometric error.