Evidence-Based Practice For Diagnosis In Research Studies Of Developmental Language Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether researchers in the field of Developmental Language Disorder are utilizing evidence-based practice to diagnose their participants. Method: We utilized the PsychINFO database to collect U.S. research articles published from 2015-2018 that included participants with Developmental Language Disorder. From these articles, we identified the tests used to identify participants with SLI and collected the name of the test; purpose for the test; whether there is information on sensitivity and specificity of the test; sensitivity; specificity; cut score; and any additional notes. Results: Of the 48 articles examined, 16 were found to use evidence-based practice, while 32 did not. Conclusion: Our results illustrate that non-EBP methods are used for participant identification within research in the field of DLD. 55.5% of the articles examined in this review did not utilize evidence-based practice.