| Although the Wechsler Memory Scale's (WMS) Logical Memory Subtest is one of the one of the best and most commonly used descriptors of overall memory function and dysfunction, significant evidence suggests its use on repeated assessments, is inadequate due to the overall stability seen in studies of test-retest reliability. This problem has been resolved for earlier versions of the test via the development of alternate test stimuli (Morris, Kunka, & Rossini, 1997). The introduction of an updated version of the WMS, the Wechsler Memory Scale-4th edition (WMS-IV), calls for additional resources especially for the specialized assessment of older adults. An alternate paragraph (Morris Revision-IV) for the WMS-IV Older Adult Battery Logical Memory Subtest was developed to meet this need and shown to be psychometrically equivalent. Through collection of normative data, this paragraph was proven to possess strong interscorer reliability and significant correlations with the original WMS-IV Logical Memory paragraph for older adults. This evidence has been used to establish alternate-form reliability of the Morris Revision-IV paragraph to the extent that it can be used in place of the original for the clinical practice of memory evaluation. |
