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Reliability of hand preference items and factors.
R E Steenhuis1, M P Bryden, M Schwartz
1University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|December 1, 1990
Summary
The Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire demonstrates reliable assessment of hand preference direction and degree. While generally reliable, left-handers showed less consistency than right-handers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Human Factors
Background:
- Handedness is a fundamental human trait with complex underlying mechanisms.
- Accurate and reliable measurement tools are crucial for studying handedness.
- The Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire is a widely used instrument for assessing hand preference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the test-retest reliability of a 32-item version of the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire.
- To assess the reliability of both the direction and degree of hand preference.
- To compare the reliability of handedness assessment between right-handers and left-handers.
Main Methods:
- Administered a 32-item Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire to 500 subjects.
- Assessed test-retest reliability over a specified period.
- Analyzed the factor structure and consistency of responses within and across items.
Main Results:
- The questionnaire exhibited reliable factor structure and high test-retest reliability for both right- and left-handers.
- Left-handers demonstrated lower consistency than right-handers, especially regarding the direction of preference on individual items.
- The direction of hand preference was found to be more reliable than the degree of hand preference.
Conclusions:
- The 32-item Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire is a reliable tool for assessing hand preference.
- Hand preference is a multidimensional construct, encompassing both direction and degree.
- The findings support the utility of the questionnaire in research investigating the nuances of handedness.