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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
13:33
Infinium Assay for Large-scale SNP Genotyping Applications
Published on: November 19, 2013
Internet cognitive testing of large samples needed in genetic research
Claire M A Haworth1, Nicole Harlaar, Yulia Kovas
1Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, United Kingdom. Claire.Haworth@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Summary
Online cognitive testing is reliable and valid for children as young as 10. Internet-based assessments efficiently gather data from large samples, overcoming geographical barriers in quantitative and genetic research.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Educational technology
- Behavioral genetics
Background:
- Quantitative and molecular genetic research necessitates large sample sizes for statistical power.
- In-person testing of widely distributed participants is costly and logistically challenging.
- The internet offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for large-scale data collection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate internet-based cognitive ability tests for children.
- To assess the reliability and validity of online cognitive testing in 10- and 12-year-olds.
- To determine if internet testing is a viable method for large-scale genetic research.
Main Methods:
- Developed internet versions of reading, language, mathematics, and general cognitive ability tests.
- Administered online tests to over 2500 pairs of 10-year-old twins and a subsample at 12 years old.
- Compared online scores with in-person paper-and-pencil tests and teacher ratings for validity assessment.
Main Results:
- Internet-based measures showed high reliability, with average correlations of .63 across two years.
- Excellent validity was indicated by correlations of approximately .80 between online and in-person tests.
- Concurrent validity was supported by comparisons with UK National Curriculum-based teacher ratings.
Conclusions:
- Internet testing is a reliable and valid method for collecting cognitive data from large samples of children.
- Online cognitive assessments are suitable for children as young as 10 years old.
- This approach enhances the feasibility of large-scale genetic and cognitive research.
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