Differential Item Functioning in the Multilingual Naming Test (MINT) in Black
and White Adults. 
   Lead Investigator:    Jaylin Nesbitt
   Institution      :    James Madison University
   E-Mail           :    nesbitjn@dukes.jmu.edu
   Proposal ID      :    1549



   Proposal Description:
   1)One goal of this study is to look at DIF in The Multilingual Naming Test, since it is a fairly new test used to detect naming impairment in Alzheimer?s at the NACC. Previous research found race/ethnicity based DIF in The Boston Naming Test, so it is very possible to encounter some level of DIF on this naming test as well. This will allow the Multilingual Naming Test to be screened for DIF to ensure it is accurately detecting possible impairment among all groups.    2)I hope this research project is my first of many assessing DIF in neuropsychological tests. Neuropsychological tests are known to have a universal approach when assessing constructs. This approach does not always include the experience of minorities and can result in a test lacking cultural inclusivity. The presence of DIF is a threat to the validity of the test.My ultimate goal is to ensure neuropsychological tests are culturally inclusive and are valid measures of all the groups the test aims to assess.