What needs to be clarified
Establish the control indicator's meaning in the method used, reproduce its scoring and assess whether the supplied materials support specifically intentional distortion by the examinee.
Materials to prepare
- Response protocol and calculation of questionnaire control indicators
- Manual for the version used, including interpretation rules and limits
- Record of instructions and completion observations, and the report under review
What to compare
Establish whether the scale concerns consistency, unusual responses or a particular response style; check scoring and missing data. Compare findings with recorded difficulties, interruptions and clarifications. Examine independent evidence of intention and alternative explanations; an adverse control score is not automatically a statement about the truthfulness of everything said.
Possible outcome of the analysis
A documentary review may separate test observations from interpretations, assess the disputed wording and identify evidence needed to examine alternative explanations of the assessment result.
Limits of the conclusions
Documentary review cannot establish a particular account's truthfulness, diagnose anyone or replace psychological assessment. A control scale is not standalone proof of intent.