The design and development of a dyscalculia checklist based on a focus group interview

Swaran Singh, Charanjit Kaur

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Type :	article
Subject :	P Philology. Linguistics
ISSN :	0952-3383
Main Author :	Swaran Singh, Charanjit Kaur
Additional Authors :	Wong, Wei Lun
Title :	The design and development of a dyscalculia checklist based on a focus group interview
Hits :	163

Place of Production :	Tanjung Malim
Publisher :	Fakulti Bahasa dan Komunikasi
Year of Publication :	2023
Notes :	British Journal of Special Education
Corporate Name :	Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
HTTP Link :	Click to view web link
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Abstract : Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

This article aims to explore the symptoms and characteristics of dyscalculia. This is a qualitative study. Five experts in the field of special education took part in a focus group interview. Each expert had more than ten years of experience in their area of expertise. To determine the content validity of the protocol, three experts in special education, language and qualitative research evaluated each of the eight items. Cohen's kappa analysis was used to assess inter-rater reliability. The findings of this study indicate that 59 items have been developed, based on six constructs in the dyscalculia checklist. The six constructs were subitising, estimating, Arabic numerals, verbal numbers, arithmetic facts and calculating processes. Following the focus group interview, a new construct emerged: math anxiety. The study implies that teachers might utilise this checklist to carry out early detection of students with dyscalculia in primary schools. This will enable appropriate intervention, resulting in significant benefits for the Ministry of Education, for educators and teachers, and for the students themselves. Although this study was based in Malaysia, the results have wider implications because dyscalculia is present everywhere. 2023 National Association for Special Educational Needs.

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