Evaluating a Model to Predict Protocol Performance

Background: A test protocol is created when individual tests are combined. Even with a few tests, many different protocols are possible. Often, the clinician must select a protocol without information as to the performance of the possible protocols. A model to predict protocol performance could help in this selection process.

Purpose: To evaluate the validity and accuracy of a mathematical model for predicting protocol performance.

Research Design: Predictions of the model are compared to actual data on protocol performance.

Results: With complete information, there was almost perfect agreement between predicted and actual data. With partial information, the model still made very accurate estimates of protocol performance.

Conclusions: Even with incomplete information, which is frequently the case in a clinical situation, the model can eliminate many protocols from consideration and aid in the selection of an appropriate protocol.

Key Words

Audiology - central auditory processing disorder - False Alarm Rate - hearing - Hit Rate - Intermediate criterion - Loose criterion - Strict criterion - test correlation - test protocol