Date of Award

Fall 8-1-1973

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication Sciences & Disorders

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess a new screening test of syntax involving no picture stimuli and to compare it to a commonly used syntax screening instrument involving picture stimuli. A subsidiary aim was the determination of the relationship between auditory memory and both tests of syntax. Tests used to measure syntactic ability included the Is This Good Talking? (ITGT) test, which includes no picture stimuli and the Northwestern Syntax Screening Test (MSST), which involves picture stimuli. The Auditory Sequential Memory subtest of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) was selected to measure the auditory memory of the subjects. Subjects were thirty kindergarten children selected from the United Lutheran Day Care Center and the Holy Family School in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Subjects were seen on an individual basis. Raw scores were compiled and submitted for computer correlational analysis. Results indicated that a moderate correlation (.47) existed between the receptive portions of the NSST and the ITGT. A moderately high correlation (.75) existed between the expressive portions of the ITGT and the NSST. A low correlation existed between the Auditory Sequential Memory subtest of the ITPA and both tests of syntax.

Results of this study indicated that reaction might be to disregard the concluded screening ITGT in favor of the more established NSST. However, it was that the new syntax test Is This Good Talking? is a promising instrument that warrants additional refinement and development.

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