Session: Harnessing the Power of Qualitative Insights for the Development of Inclusive Measurement Instruments (Society for Social Work and Research 27th Annual Conference - Social Work Science and Complex Problems: Battling Inequities + Building Solutions)

Social work science, as well as social work practice, are enhanced by the development of measurement tools that are psychometrically strong, culturally responsive, and sensitive to change. Although there is a robust body of scholarship guiding approaches to instrument development, a frequently overlooked approach is the use of qualitative methods in psychometrics. Considering that measures are composed of concepts and their indicators, qualitative methods are well-suited to the identifications of core concepts and the specification of indicators, as this is essentially the task of qualitative researchers. Furthermore, measurement instruments based on the results of qualitative inquiry are psychometrically strong (Gilgun, 2004). Qualitative methods can offer distinctive insights in various phases of the measurement development process, including item generation, assessment of content validity, revision following pilot testing, and evaluations of existing measures.

In addition, qualitative approaches center the perspectives of research participants and their lived experiences. By developing instruments that "start where clients are" and use peoples' own language, instruments are more likely to be culturally sensitive and inclusive. Although item conceptualization and generation is typically an expert-led process, validity-on-the-ground (e.g. cultural validity) is ultimately shaped by the extent to which measurement items accurately reflect consumers' experiences, vocabularies, and world views. One danger of the proliferation of measures that may be deemed psychometrically sound but are not culturally valid for diverse populations is poor sensitivity for capturing change, hindering the progress of intervention research (LeCroy, 2019). Qualitative approaches to measurement development are a promising response to these concerns.

The research presented in this symposium illuminates ways in which qualitative methods can be used to establish cultural validity and inclusivity in measurement development by centering perspectives of people with lived experiences in the areas of interest. By highlighting psychometric research across a range of topic areas and populations, the symposium conveys the versatility and utility of qualitative approaches in this area of scholarship.

Paper 1 addresses the development of an inventory of school supports for military-connected students and families and how individual and focus group interviews with key stakeholders informed the structure of the measure and the items included.

Paper 2 examines the use of qualitative methods to develop and refine items for a new measure of recovery capital, with a focus on sampling for diversity with regard to race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and treatment pathway when eliciting qualitative feedback on prospective items from people in recovery from alcohol problems.

Paper 3 describes how qualitative data can be used to assess the fit and function of three traditional eating disorder assessment measures within non-traditional patient populations. Themes arising from this qualitative analysis suggest ways of tailoring current measures to fit the growing diversity of eating disorder patients.

The discussant, a senior researcher who used qualitive methods to develop clinical assessment tools, will synthesize themes across the presentations and offer commentary. The discussant will also moderate questions and discussion from attendees.

NOTE: This symposium was accepted for SSWR 2022 but withdrawn due to COVID-19 travel concerns.