A Test for Evaluating Proficiency in Dance

Abstract

This study assessed the inter-judge agreement, intra-judge reliability, and the specificity and sensitivity of a qualitative test for analyzing dancers’ training and performance capabilities. Forty-one subjects representing groups of non-dancers (N = 9), beginners (N = 9), intermediates (N = 10), advanced (N = 7), and professionals (N = 6) were videotaped while performing compulsory and improvised segments of movement. The videotapes were then analyzed by three trained judges, using the unique scoring system devised by the author, for the following components: skill, space, time, energy, phrasing, and presence. Inter-judge agreement correlations and the overall intra-judge reliability coefficient were very high (r = .95 to .96, p < .0001, and R = .98, p < .0001, respectively). Specificity was .86, and sensitivity .97. It is concluded that the test described in the study is valid for use in both research and educational settings where qualitative analysis of dance performance across levels of expertise is useful.