Interscorer Reliability for the Hand Test Administered to Children

Abstract

The utility of the Hand Test as a quick, reliable measure of 100 children's personalities was assessed. The interscorer reliability of the Hand Test was estimated by both intraclass correlations and the Kappa coefficient for 100 children. Following training, satisfactory intraclass correlations were obtained for the Quantitative scores (20 of 22 above .70) and Qualitative scores (12 of 27 above .70) Kappa coefficients were generally lower. Scorers' memory overload and low response frequency are discussed as possible bases for the low reliabilities of Qualitative scores. Although the Hand Test reliability for Quantitative scores is consistent with those of other projective tests, consideration should be given to the modification of the directions of administration for young children and clarification of scoring rules.