5.4.2.2.6 Sentence generation task

Scoring criteria for the sentence generation task

Each child was asked to make up two sentences which included the target words. To be
scored correct, the child had to use either the target word or an acceptable alternative (e.g.
pronouns) in an appropriate sentence context and incorrect the use of the new word in an
inappropriate sentence context or a “don 't know” response. For the present experiment an
appropriate sentence context had to include any of the following information about the target
words: a) perceptual e.g. the abez is long, thin with holes b) functional e.g. the boy plays
music with the abez c) semantic e.g. the feber is a house. Each child could get a maximum
score from 0-2.

Analysis

If all children were correct on the two target words, the maximum total score would be 384
for all the participants in each post test. Figure 5.18 below shows children’s performance on
the sentence generation task for both post tests. As the Figure shows, 233 of children’s
responses were appropriate sentences during the immediate post test, while 256 of their
responses were appropriate sentences in the delayed post test.

Figure 5.18 Children’s performance on the sentence generation task for both post tests

I I Don't know∕irrelevant responses
И Appropriate sentences

To what extent does children's performance on the sentence generation task differ by age ?
If all children from each age group were correct on the two target words, the maximum total
score would be 128 for each age group in each post test. Figure 5.19 below demonstrates
children’s performance on the sentence generation task by age for both post tests.

160

<<   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   >>

More intriguing information