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Session Title: Concept Maps, Focus Groups and Rasch Analysis: Converting the Ineffable Qualitative into Quantitative

Panel Session 753 to be held in Calhoun Room on Saturday, November 10, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Sponsored by the Quantitative Methods: Theory and Design TIG

Chair(s):

Ann payday loan  Doucette payday loan ,  George Washington University,  doucette@gwu.edu

Abstract: Concept mapping was performed to conceptualize and organize measure development for financial exploitation of the elderly. A feasibility study of a financial exploitation measure was done based on the concept map and expert panel input. This consisted of focus groups and cognitive interviews at ten community sites (e.g., senior centers and case coordination units) to develop procedures for obtaining sensitive information concerning financial exploitation and to develop new items and refine existing items assessing these areas. This lead to the development of construct maps. Subsequently, a full-scale field test of the financial exploitation measure was conducted with data collection on 200 clients and with a subsequent psychometric analysis of the resulting data.

Concept Map of Elder Financial Exploitation John payday loan  Ridings payday loan ,  Metropolitan Family Services of Chicago,  jridin3@uic.edu This presentation describes the procedures used to develop a concept map for financial exploitation of the elderly. This includes discussions of: expert panel members, brainstorming activities and results, sorting and rating procedures and the interpretation session. The interpretation session included the following activities: Review the items, identify regions of meaning, give unique names to the regions, decide on the final number of clusters, give unique names to the clusters, review ladder graphs, review box plots, develop recommendations, identify next steps.

Using Qualitative Data in the Design of a Measure for Financial Exploitation of the Elderly Madelyn payday loan  Iris payday loan ,  Council for Jewish Elderly,  micki.iris@cje.net Financial Exploitation of elderly individuals (EFE) is a hidden and pervasive problem. Conceptually sound measurement models that take into account the complex nature of elder abuse are needed, as the signs and symptoms of EFE may be insights into a larger system of abuse that includes more damaging consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated. Up to this time, no attempt has been made to conceptualize the individual components of EFE in order to guide the development of a measurement model. This presentation describes how focus group and interview data are being used in the development of a measure of EFE. Findings from focus groups and cognitive interviews will be discussed. Participants in these groups include: (1) staff at agencies that serve with victims of elder abuse and other professionals, and (2) older persons who have been financially exploited, as well as other seniors.

Developing Theoretical Construct Maps and Testing Them with Rasch Person/Item Maps Kendon payday loan  Conrad payday loan ,  University of Illinois, Chicago,  kjconrad@uic.edu Construct maps (Wilson, 2005) are different from concept maps (Trochim, 2003), although each may be used in the development of the other. Construct maps depict a theory-based hierarchy of both person characteristics and items along the same line representing the construct of interest. In this presentation, financial exploitation of elders will be depicted using a construct map that employs items developed with concept mapping techniqes. Subsequently, a Rasch person/item map based on data from elderly persons in adult protective services will be examined as to whether it confirms or denies the theory-based construct map. These techniques are sophisticated processes for developing measures essential to effective evaluation research.