Factorial validation of a telephone test battery of specific cognitive abilities

Abstract

The factor structure of eight specific cognitive ability tests administered using a traditional paper-and-pencil protocol to 529 children at 7 years of age is compared to that of similar measures administered using the telephone to a subsample of these children at 9 and 10 years. Results of exploratory factor analyses suggest that both test batteries assess the same four ability dimensions: verbal, spatial, perceptual speed, and memory. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the factor loadings do not differ between the two test batteries, thus indicating that telephone tests are factorially valid measures of specific cognitive abilities.