This handbook presents a systematic overview of approaches to, diversity, and problems involved in interdisciplinary rating methodologies. Historically, the purpose of ratings is to achieve information transparency regarding a given body’s activities, whether in the field of finance, banking, or sports for example. This book focuses on commonly used rating methods in three important fields: finance, sports, and the social sector. In the world of finance, investment decisions are largely shaped by how positively or negatively economies or financial instruments are rated. Ratings have thus become a basis of trust for investors. Similarly, sports evaluation and funding are largely based on core ratings. From local communities to groups of nations, public investment and funding are also dependent on how these bodies are continuously rated against expected performance targets. As such, ratings need to reflect the consensus of all stakeholders on selected aspects of the work and how to evaluate their success. The public should also have the opportunity to participate in this process. The authors examine current rating approaches from a variety of proposals that are closest to the public consensus, analyzing the rating models and summarizing the methods of their construction. This handbook offers a valuable reference guide for managers, analysts, economists, business informatics specialists, and researchers alike.

Healthcare providers, consumers, researchers and policy makers are inundated with unmanageable amounts of information, including evidence from healthcare research. It has become impossible for all to have the time and resources to find, appraise and interpret this evidence and incorporate it into healthcare decisions. Cochrane Reviews respond to this challenge by identifying, appraising and synthesizing research-based evidence and presenting it in a standardized format, published in The Cochrane Library (www.thecochranelibrary.com). The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions contains methodological guidance for the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane intervention reviews. Written in a clear and accessible format, it is the essential manual for all those preparing, maintaining and reading Cochrane reviews. Many of the principles and methods described here are appropriate for systematic reviews applied to other types of research and to systematic reviews of interventions undertaken by others. It is hoped therefore that this book will be invaluable to all those who want to understand the role of systematic reviews, critically appraise published reviews or perform reviews themselves.

Rating scales are used daily by everyone involved in the management of patients with neurologic disease and in the design and management of neurologic clinical trials. Now there is a single source for the wide range of scales used in specific neurologic diseases and neurorehabilitation. You will refer to this volume constantly! The first edition of the Handbook of Neurologic Rating Scales quickly became an invaluable reference work on the increasing array of scales for measuring neurologic disease. In the brief few years since the first edition the importance of this book has only increased. New Chapters Include Scales On: Generic and general use Pediatric neurology and rehabilitation Peripheral neuropathy and pain Ataxia HIV/AIDS And instruments for diagnosing headaches. Formal measurement of the effects of neurologic disease and of treatment effects, beyond the description of changes on the standard neurologic examination, is a relatively recent development. Controlled clinical trials and outcomes research are at the heart of modern information-based medicine, and neurologic scales are essential tools in clinical trials designed to provide this information. A Resource for Clinical Trials The Handbook of Neurologic Rating Scales provides a resource for clinicians and clinical investigators in the broad field of neurology and neurologic rehabilitation to help them: evaluate the clinical trials literature by providing information on the scales being used evaluate and select appropriate and efficient scales for clinical trials and outcomes research, and provide information that will help them to develop new scales or measures or to improve existing ones. A Resource for Evaluating Disease Status Outcomes research is playing an increasingly important role in clinical management and neurorehabilitation, and these also depend largely on measurement of disease status and change. In this era of managed care, neurologists must produce outcomes data demonstrating the effectiveness of neurologic care if the specialty is to survive, and certainly if it is to thrive. Even effective therapies are likely to fall by the wayside if studies to prove their effectiveness are not done. Comprehensive and Standardized Information on All Scales Each chapter in this volume contains the scales of importance and in current use, including a sequence of scale descriptions and specific scales in a standard format, as well as a summary and recommendations indicating which scales are most useful for specific purposes and whether a combination of scales is particularly useful or if better scales are needed. Each entry notes: the purpose for which the scale was developed and its current uses if they differ from those for which it was developed a detailed description of the scale information about validation, such as: Does the scale have face validity? i.e., does it appear to measure what it purports to measure? how and by whom the scale is administered the time needed to administer and score the scale the scale itself or, when the scale is proprietary or too long for inclusion, a description and key references special considerations, including unusual measures needed to obtain a valid score or problems in administering the test in specific patients advantages, or what makes the scale good or useful. Disadvantages, or what makes the scale difficult to use or impairs its reliability key references, including the original publication of the scale and its validation Downloadable PDFs of the scales contained in the Handbook of Neurologic Rating Scales are included with the purchase of this book. The password to download the files can be found in the book itself.

Psychiatric clinicians should use rating scales and questionnaires often, for they not only facilitate targeted diagnoses and treatment; they also facilitate links to empirical literature and systematize the entire process of management. Clinically oriented and highly practical, the Handbook of Clinical Rating Scales and Assessment in Psychiatry and Mental Health is an ideal tool for the busy psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, family physician, or social worker. In this ground-breaking text, leading researchers provide reviews of the most commonly used outcome and screening measures for the major psychiatric diagnoses and treatment scenarios. The full range of psychiatric disorders are covered in brief but thorough chapters, each of which provides a concise review of measurement issues related to the relevant condition, along with recommendations on which dimensions to measure – and when. The Handbook also includes ready-to-photocopy versions of the most popular, valid, and reliable scales and checklists, along with scoring keys and links to websites containing on-line versions. Moreover, the Handbook describes well known, structured, diagnostic interviews and the specialized training requirements for each. It also includes details of popular psychological tests (such as neuropsychological, personality, and projective tests), along with practical guidelines on when to request psychological testing, how to discuss the case with the assessment consultant and how to integrate information from the final testing report into treatment. Focused and immensely useful, the Handbook of Clinical Rating Scales and Assessment in Psychiatry and Mental Health is an invaluable resource for all clinicians who care for patients with psychiatric disorders.