An analysis of inter-examiner variability in PAR scoring

Harte, Criona (2011). An analysis of inter-examiner variability in PAR scoring. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

Objective
To investigate if there is a statistically significant difference in PAR scoring between two groups of calibrated dental technicians. Group 1 were a national group, recruited from the British Orthodontic Society national list of PAR scoring technicians. Group 2 comprised of a local group of dental technicians in the West Midlands region. In addition, variability in PAR scoring between calibrated dental technicians was investigated using descriptive statistics.

Subjects and Method
Twenty eight examiners were recruited into two equal groups. Each examiner independently observed and PAR scored four completed cases (eight sets of study models). The PAR scores were examined for normality and homogeneity of variance prior to performing a multivariate analysis of variance to test for differences between the two groups.

Results
There was no significant difference in PAR scoring between the two groups. The PAR scores were normally distributed with equal variance in each group. There was greater variation in PAR scores for pre-treatment study models when compared to post treatment study models for each case.

Conclusions
The PAR scores provided by the technicians in the West Midlands region were comparable to those provided by the technicians nationally. Individual variation between examiners did exist but this variability did not alter the PAR outcome category in 111 out of 112 PAR improvement results obtained.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

Supervisor(s):