Sample interview questions: Have you conducted any research on the impact of response styles (e.g., extreme response style, midpoint responding) on cognitive impairment assessment outcomes?
Sample answer:
Yes, I have conducted extensive research on the impact of response styles on cognitive impairment assessment outcomes. My research has focused on examining how extreme response style (ERS) and midpoint responding (MPR) influence cognitive performance in older adults and individuals with dementia.
Extreme Response Style (ERS)
ERS is a tendency to endorse extreme response options (e.g., “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree”) on questionnaires or rating scales. My research has shown that ERS can lead to overestimation of cognitive impairment in older adults and individuals with dementia. This is because individuals with ERS may be more likely to endorse extreme options even when their cognitive abilities are intact.
Midpoint Responding (MPR)
MPR is a tendency to endorse the midpoint response option (e.g., “neutral” or “uncertain”) on questionnaires or rating scales. My research has found that MPR can lead to underestimation of cognitive impairment in older adults and individuals with dementia. This is because individuals with MPR may be less likely to endorse extreme options, ev… Read full answer