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The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Third Edition (PPVT-III), serves as a vital tool in assessing receptive vocabulary and verbal ability across different age groups. Developed by L. M. Dunn and L. M. Dunn in 1997, this standardized assessment method is widely recognized for its simplicity and effectiveness. Designed to cater to a broad demographic, including preschool children and adults up to 90 years old, the PPVT-III can effectively screen for giftedness and mental retardation, as well as measuring English proficiency for non-native speakers. The test requires no reading or writing, making it an accessible option for individuals with various disabilities, including autism and visual impairments. With two parallel forms—Forms III A and III B—and a structured set of 17 item groups, test administrators can efficiently determine the participant's understanding of standard English listening comprehension. The evaluation process involves presenting a stimulus word with accompanying pictures, from which the examinee selects the most appropriate depiction. The scoring method is straightforward, relying on the distinction between the 'basal' and 'ceiling' sets to gauge performance accurately. Given its research-backed reliability and validity, the PPVT-III not only provides significant insights but also holds relevance in educational and clinical environments alike.

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Example

PEABOD Y PI CTU RE V OCABU LARY TEST – TH I RD ED I TI ON ( PPV T - I I I )

Aut hor :

Dunn, L. M. , & Dunn, L. M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dat e:

1997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Const r uct :

Child Developm ent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St andar dized:

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I nst r um ent Type( s) :

Dir ect child/ adult assessm ent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uses of I nfor m at ion:

PPVT- I I I

can be used t o

m easur e

r ecept ive

vocabular y .

 

PPVT- I I I

 

can scr een

for

ver bal abilit y,

gift edness, and

 

m ent al

r et ar dat ion in per sons for w hom English is t he

 

spok en

language in t he hom e,

com m unit y ,

and

school;

it

 

can m easur e English

language pr oficiency for

per sons for

 

w hom English is a second language. Because it r equir es no

 

r eading

or w r it ing and is easy t o

adm inist er ,

PPVT- I I I

is

 

useful in t est ing pr eschool childr en

and

is fair

t o per sons

 

w it h w r it t en - language pr oblem s and

disabilit ies

such

as

 

aut ism ,

w it hdr aw n per sonalit ies, psychot ic

sym pt om s,

 

sever e cer ebr al palsy, and m oder at e visual disabilit ies.

 

Envir onm ent :

School, clinical, vocat ional, r esear ch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Descr ipt ion:

The PPVT- I I I is t he

t hir d edit ion

of

a

highly

successful

 

vocabular y t est t hat has been in use since 1959 . I t is used

 

for scr eening special st udent s, j ob candidat es, and t o

 

assess

v ocabular y

of

non - English - speaking

 

st udent s,

 

r anging

in age fr om

2 t hr ough 90+

year s. The

PPVT- I I I

 

t est s for

list ening com pr ehension of

st andar d

English . I t

 

has t w o

par allel for m s, For m s

I I I A

and

I I I B, each

w it h

4

 

t r aining

it em s ( for adm inist er ing t he

t est )

and

204 t est

 

it em s gr ouped int o 17 set s of 12 it em s ar r anged in or der of

 

incr easing

difficult y .

I n

t he

t est ,

t he

exam iner

or ally

 

pr esent s a st im ulus w or d w it h a set of pict ur es and t he t est

 

t ak er is ask ed t o select t he pict ur e t hat best r epr esent s t he

 

w or d’s m eaning. The

exam iner adm inist er s

t he

it em set s

 

unt il t he

child’s “ basal”

and “ ceiling” set s

ar e

found,

a

 

pr ocess t hat usually t akes five it em set s. The basal set

is

 

t he it em set in w hich t he child m akes one or no er r or s and

 

t he ceiling set is t he it em set in w hich t he child

m akes

 

eight or m or e er r or s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refer ences:

Dunn & Dunn ( 1997)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention 1

PEABOD Y PI CTU RE V OCABU LARY TEST – TH I RD ED I TI ON ( PPV T - I I I )

Cost :

PPVT- I I I For m I I I A and

I I I B Test

Kit s: $ 299 . 99

( includes

 

pict ur e plat es,

2 nor m s

booklet s,

2 exam iner ’s

m anuals,

 

and 1 package ( 25) of per for m ance r ecor ds for each for m )

 

PPVT- I I I For m I I I A and I I I B Test Kit w it h ASSI ST: $ 398 . 99

Availabilit y of Test Manual:

Yes.

The

t est

m anual

includes

infor m at ion

on

uses,

 

adm inist r at ion,

 

and

scor ing;

 

t est

const r uct ion,

 

st andar dizat ion,

and

nor m s dev elopm ent ;

and

r eliabilit y

 

and

validit y

and

ot her

t echnical

dat a. The

exam iner s’

 

m anual descr ibes var ious m odificat ions t hat can

be m ade

 

in adm inist er ing

t he

t est

t o

accom m odat e

 

var ious

 

disabilit ies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cont act I nfor m at ion:

Am er ican Guidance Ser v ices Publishing

 

 

 

 

 

Tel: 800 . 328 . 2560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web: w w w . agsnet . com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I nst r uct ions:

I nst r uct ions for

using

t he t est

ar e

included

in

t he t r aining

 

m anual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adm inist r at or :

Educat or s, counselor s, psychologist s, and clinicians

 

Qualificat ion:

Level

B

Test

User

Qualificat ion:

User

has

com plet ed

 

gr aduat e t r aining in

m easur em ent ,

guidance,

individual

 

psychological

assessm ent , or

special

appr aisal

m et hods

 

appr opr iat e for a par t icular t est .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tr aining Requir ed:

Alt hough

for m al t r aining

in psychom et r ics is not

r equir ed,

 

t he exam iner s should

be t hor oughly fam iliar w it h t he t est

 

m at er ials and w ell- t r ained in adm inist er ing and scor ing t he

 

t est .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adm inist r at ion Tim e:

I t t akes appr ox im at ely 12 m inut es t o adm inist er 5 set s.

Respondent s:

Only per sons w it h

for m al t r aining

in psychological

t est ing

 

and st at ist ics should int er pr et t he r esult s of t he PPVT- I I I .

FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention 2

PEABOD Y PI CTU RE V OCABU LARY TEST – TH I RD ED I TI ON ( PPV T - I I I )

Scales/ I t em Opt ions:

No subscales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I t em s r epr esent

20 cont ent cat egor ies

( ver bs

[ act ions] ,

 

adj ect ives,

and

nouns) . Pict ur es ar e

pr esent ed

in a

 

m ult iple- choice

for m at

of four pict ur es

per

it em .

The

 

exam iner pr esent s a ver bal st im ulus fr om t he Per for m ance

 

Recor d w hile t he

exam inee

looks at

a

plat e

of

four

 

num ber ed

black - and- w hit e dr aw ings. The

exam inee

m ust

 

select by point ing

t o or

saying

t he num ber of t he

pict ur e

 

t hat best depict s t he ver bal st im ulus. A spoken r esponse is

 

not r equir ed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scor ing:

 

Hand- scor ing: The exam iner ent er s t he num ber associat ed

 

 

w it h

t he pict ur e select ed

by

t he

exam inee

on

t he

 

 

per for m ance r ecor d for m

and dr aw s a “ slash” t hr ough t he

 

 

let t er

“ E” under t he er r or

colum n

for each er r or . The r aw

 

 

scor e is obt ained by subt r act ing t he t ot al num ber of er r or s

 

 

above

t he

exam inee’s

basal

set

fr om

t he

num ber

 

 

associat ed

w it h t he

m ost

difficult

it em answ er ed cor r ect ly

 

 

in t he

exam inee’s

ceiling

set . Using

sever al t ables,

r aw

 

 

scor es can be conver t ed

int o

differ ent t ypes of age-

 

 

adj ust ed st andar dized scor es. One t able conver t s t he r aw

 

 

scor e int o a st andar d scor e. A second t able conver t s t he

 

 

st andar d scor e int o per cent ile r ank,

nor m al

cur ve

 

 

equivalent , and st anine. Finally, a t hir d t able conver t s t he

 

 

exam inee’s r aw scor e int o t he age equivalent per for m ance.

Ascor ing soft w ar e pr ogr am is available for pur chase. The soft w ar e scor es t he t est and conver t s t he r aw scor es int o st andar d scor es, per cent iles, st anines, nor m al cur v e equiv alent s, and age equiv alent s.

Languages:

English and Spanish

 

Psychom et r ic Pr oper t ies:

Reliabilit y: I nt er nal consist ency ( Cr onbach’s alpha) w as . 93

 

for For m I I I A for bot h ages 2 year s, 6 m ont hs and 3 year s.

 

For For m I I I B, t he alphas w er e . 93 and . 92, r espect ively .

 

Test - r et est r eliabilit y

( w it h an appr ox im at ely 1 - m ont h

 

int er val bet w een t est s)

cor r elat ion coefficient s for ages 2

 

y ear s, 6 m ont hs t hr ough 5 y ears, 11 m ont hs w er e . 92 for

 

For m I I I A and . 91 for For m I I I B.

 

 

 

FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention 3

PEABOD Y PI CTU RE V OCABU LARY TEST – TH I RD ED I TI ON ( PPV T - I I I )

Validit y:

For concur r ent validit y, t est s t hat com par ed PPVT-

I I I w it h

int elligence

t est s w er e conduct ed and

t he r esult s

w er e cor r ect ed for

nor m gr oup var iabilit y .

Cor r ect ed

cor r elat ion coefficient s r anged fr om . 82 t o . 92 w it h t he

Wechsler

I nt elligence

Scale for

Childr en —Thir d Edit ion

ver bal, per for m ance,

and full

scale I Q scales; . 76 t o

. 91

w it h

t he

Kaufm an

Adolescent

and

Adult I nt elligence

Test

cr y st allized, fluid,

and

com posit e I Q t est s; . 62 t o

. 82

w it h

t he

Kaufm an Br ief

I nt elligence

Test vocabular y,

m at r ices,

and

com posit e t est s;

and . 63

t o

. 83 w it h t he

Or al

and

Wr it t en Language Scales ( OWLS) list ening com pr ehension,

or al ex pr ession, and com posit e scales. How ever ,

all of

t hese t est s w er e per for m ed on per sons older

t han 3

( i. e. ,

validit y infor m at ion not available on childr en

fr om

0 - 3) .

No infor m at ion available on pr edict ive validit y .

 

 

Prepared by the National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research

Prevent Child Abuse America

Last Updated: July 13, 2005

References:

ACF, OPRE: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/ehs/perf_measures/reports/resources_measuring/res_meas_toc.html

American Guidance Services Publishing (AGS): http://www.agsnet.com/group.asp?nGroupInfoID=a12010

FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention 4

Form Characteristics

Fact Name Description
Test Purpose The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) assesses receptive vocabulary and can screen for verbal ability, giftedness, and mental retardation.
Target Age Range It is suitable for individuals aged 2 through 90+, making it widely applicable across various age groups.
Test Administration Time Administering the test typically takes about 12 minutes to complete.
Languages Available The PPVT-III is available in both English and Spanish, facilitating access for a broader audience.

Guidelines on Utilizing Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test

Filling out the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) form requires careful attention to ensure accuracy and reliability. This assessment tool is designed for individuals with developmental and language needs. Proper administration and scoring are essential to derive meaningful results.

  1. Prepare the testing environment to ensure it is quiet and free from distractions.
  2. Gather all necessary materials, including the testing kit, picture plates, and performance records.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the instructions in the examiner's manual prior to administering the test.
  4. Start with the baseline items to establish the participant's level of understanding.
  5. Present the first stimulus word along with the corresponding set of pictures for the participant to choose from.
  6. Document the participant's response by noting the selected picture number on the performance record.
  7. Continue administering item sets until reaching the ceiling set, marking errors as needed.
  8. Calculate the raw score by subtracting errors above the basal set from the most difficult correctly answered item in the ceiling set.
  9. Use the conversion tables to translate the raw scores into standardized scores, percentiles, and age equivalents.
  10. Review and compare results within the context of the normative data provided in the manual.

What You Should Know About This Form

What is the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III)?

The PPVT-III is a standardized test designed to measure receptive vocabulary. It evaluates listening comprehension of standard English and is suitable for individuals aged 2 through 90+. The test involves selecting from pictures that best represent a given word’s meaning. This assessment is crucial for screening verbal ability, giftedness, and mental retardation in individuals whose primary language is English, as well as determining English proficiency for non-native speakers.

Who can administer the PPVT-III?

Only professionals with formal training in psychological testing and statistics should administer the test. This typically includes educators, counselors, psychologists, and clinicians. Although formal psychometric training is not a strict requirement, administrators must be well-acquainted with the test materials and procedures to ensure accurate administration and scoring.

How long does it take to complete the PPVT-III?

The administration of the test generally takes about 12 minutes. During this time, five sets of items are presented to the test taker to determine their language proficiency and vocabulary comprehension level. Efficiency is key to ensuring a smooth and effective testing experience.

What types of modifications can be made for the PPVT-III?

The examiner's manual provides various modifications to accommodate individuals with disabilities. It includes recommendations tailored for participants facing challenges such as written language problems, autism, and moderate visual disabilities. These modifications ensure that the test remains accessible to a diverse population.

What are the validity and reliability measures of the PPVT-III?

The PPVT-III demonstrates strong reliability, with internal consistency ratings (Cronbach's alpha) reaching .93 for both forms. Test-retest reliability has been established with correlation coefficients ranging from .91 to .92 for different age groups. Additionally, concurrent validity has been supported through correlations with established intelligence tests, confirming that the PPVT-III effectively assesses vocabulary comprehension across different age groups.

Common mistakes

Filling out the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) form can appear straightforward, yet there are common mistakes that individuals often make during the process. One prevalent error is misunderstanding the instructions. It’s essential to clearly read and comprehend the guidelines before beginning. This ensures that both the administrator and the test-taker understand the expectations and steps necessary to properly conduct the assessment. Skipping this reading can lead to misadministration of the test, making results less reliable.

Another mistake involves failing to establish a comfortable environment for the test-taker. Noise, disruptions, or an uncomfortable setting can significantly affect the performance of a child or individual being tested. Creating a calm and controlled environment helps the test-taker focus, leading to more accurate results. This subtle yet vital step can often be overlooked.

In addition, many examiners do not properly track responses. Accurately recording which pictures are selected and marking errors is crucial for calculating scores later on. Without attention to detail during this phase, scoring can become complicated or erroneous, undermining the entire assessment process. It is vital to maintain precision in this part of the procedure to ensure valid scoring and interpretations of the results.

Another frequent oversight is neglecting to use the correct form, either Form III A or Form III B. These forms are designed to assess the same skill set but may have different items. Choosing the wrong form can distort comparisons or evaluations. It’s essential to confirm which form is appropriate based on the test-taking conditions and the individual’s background.

Lastly, not administering the test at the appropriate level can also skew results. Understanding the basal and ceiling sets is vital to locate where to begin testing. This method allows for an accurate measurement of an individual’s vocabulary capabilities. If a test-taker's abilities are overestimated or underestimated due to incorrect starting points, the validity of the test results may be compromised.

Documents used along the form

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) is an essential tool for assessing receptive vocabulary in individuals ranging from preschoolers to adults. Along with the PPVT-III, several other forms and documents can enhance the assessment process and provide crucial information about a person's language abilities. Here are four commonly used documents that are often utilized in tandem with the PPVT-III.

  • Test Administration Manual: This manual offers comprehensive instructions on how to properly administer the PPVT-III. It contains detailed guidelines for test preparation, environmental setup, and the steps to guide an individual through the testing process.
  • Scoring Record Sheet: The scoring record is vital for tracking the responses of the test-taker during the assessment. It includes a structured way to note down the selected pictures and helps in calculating raw scores based on the individual’s performance.
  • Behavior Observation Form: This form helps document the test-taker's behavior and engagement during the assessment. Observations about their comfort level, distractions, or interactions can provide valuable qualitative data that complements the numerical scores from the PPVT-III.
  • Supplemental Assessment Tools: Various supplementary tools may include additional vocabulary tests or language surveys. These tools enhance the understanding of a person's language abilities and help in crafting appropriate educational or therapeutic interventions.

Utilizing these documents alongside the PPVT-III can enrich the assessment and provide a more complete picture of an individual's language proficiency. Taking timely action to gather and use these forms can significantly impact the effectiveness of educational planning and interventions.

Similar forms

  • Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities: This assessment evaluates cognitive abilities and academic skills. Similar to the PPVT-III, it helps identify specific learning disabilities and measures a person's potential through a series of tests with a standardized approach.

  • Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF): Like the PPVT-III, the CELF assesses language skills in children. It evaluates various language capabilities, including receptive and expressive language, making it a valuable tool for identifying language-related issues.

  • Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT): The EVT measures expressive vocabulary and word retrieval abilities. Both the EVT and PPVT-III focus on vocabulary but from different angles—one on receptive and the other on expressive.

  • Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT): This test covers academic skills and knowledge, just like the PPVT-III assesses vocabulary skills. It offers insight into a student’s performance across various subjects, making it particularly useful in educational settings.

  • Wechsler Scale of Intelligence for Children (WISC): The WISC assesses intelligence levels in children through a range of cognitive tasks. Like the PPVT-III, it helps in identifying children who may require special educational services based on their capabilities.

  • Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development: This inventory assesses developmental milestones in young children. Similar to the PPVT-III, it is used to identify children who may need additional support in their early development.

  • Developmental Profile 3: This comprehensive tool evaluates developmental milestones in children from birth to age 12. Like the PPVT-III, it aims to identify areas where a child may be experiencing delays or challenges.

  • MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories: This assessment helps track language and communication development in young children. It shares similarity with the PPVT-III in its focus on language skills and early vocabulary.

  • The Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI): This nonverbal test measures general intelligence. Like the PPVT-III, it is often used for individuals who may have language barriers or disabilities, ensuring a fair assessment of their cognitive abilities.

  • Fast ForWord Language Program: This is an interactive program designed to improve language and reading skills. Similar to the PPVT-III, it focuses on language development with an engaging and supportive approach tailored for different learning needs.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) form, certain practices will enhance accuracy and effectiveness. Below is a list of recommended actions and those to avoid.

  • DO ensure that the test environment is quiet and free from distractions to promote focus.
  • DO familiarize yourself with the test instructions and materials thoroughly before administering it.
  • DO monitor the child’s responses closely to correctly establish the basal and ceiling sets.
  • DO utilize both Forms III A and III B to confirm the reliability of the results if needed.
  • DO provide clear verbal stimuli while presenting the pictures to avoid any confusion.
  • DO maintain a supportive and encouraging demeanor throughout the testing process.
  • DON'T rush through the test; allow adequate time for the child to process each item.
  • DON'T provide any hints or guidance when the child is selecting answers from the pictures.
  • DON'T attempt to interpret results on your own if you lack the appropriate training.
  • DON'T skip items to expedite the testing; consistency is key in establishing accurate results.
  • DON'T allow outside distractions, such as electronic devices, during the administration of the test.
  • DON'T compromise the integrity of the testing process by altering the order of items or sets.

Misconceptions

Misconceptions can often cloud the effectiveness and purpose of a tool like the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III). Here are five common misconceptions clarified:

  • Misconception 1: The PPVT-III is only for young children.
  • Many believe that this test is only appropriate for preschoolers. In reality, the PPVT-III can assess individuals aged 2 to over 90 years. It serves a wide range of age groups and is particularly valuable for non-English speakers as well.

  • Misconception 2: The test measures vocabulary knowledge only.
  • While it indeed evaluates receptive vocabulary, it also screens for verbal abilities, giftedness, and can identify mental retardation. It’s a broader tool for assessing communication skills and language proficiency.

  • Misconception 3: You must be a trained psychologist to administer the test.
  • This test can be conducted by educators, counselors, and clinicians who have the appropriate training in psychological assessments. Formal psychometric training isn't a strict requirement, but familiarity with the test materials is essential.

  • Misconception 4: Results are only useful for academic settings.
  • Many think the PPVT-III is designed only for schools, but it has applications in clinical, vocational, and research environments too. Employers may use it to assess job candidates, making it versatile.

  • Misconception 5: Scoring is complicated and not user-friendly.
  • Some people hold the belief that the scoring process is daunting. However, the test can be hand-scored, and there’s also scoring software available. Both options aim at making the process straightforward and accessible.

Understanding these misconceptions can help you see the broader value of the PPVT-III as an instrument for evaluating vocabulary and language skills across diverse populations.

Key takeaways

Filling out and using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-III) form requires careful attention to detail. Here are key takeaways to ensure effective administration and interpretation:

  • Understanding Purpose: The PPVT-III effectively measures receptive vocabulary and screens for verbal ability, giftedness, and mental retardation.
  • Target Audience: It's suitable for individuals aged 2 through 90+, making it versatile for various testing situations.
  • Administration Environment: Ideal settings include schools, clinics, vocational centers, and research environments.
  • Basic Format: The test consists of two parallel forms (A and B) and presents items through a series of pictures, allowing no requirement for reading or writing.
  • Item Presentation: Each word stimulus is accompanied by a set of four pictures. The test taker selects the image that best represents the word.
  • Scoring Process: Scoring involves identifying the basal and ceiling sets based on correct and incorrect responses within five item sets.
  • Professional Administration: Only trained individuals should administer and interpret scores to ensure accuracy and reliability of results.
  • Software Availability: Scoring software is available for purchase, simplifying the conversion of raw scores into standardized scores.
  • Test Accessibility: The PPVT-III is available in both English and Spanish, enhancing its usability for diverse populations.

Be sure to follow these guidelines closely to maximize the effectiveness of the PPVT-III and ensure accurate evaluations. The stakes are high; proper administration can lead to significant educational and psychological insights.