Abstract (eng)
PURPOSE: Results of previous investigations show correlations between handedness and some other development variables. This illustrates the importance of assessment of handedness especially for preschoolers. Therefore the hand preference test for 4-6 year olds (HAPT 4-6, Bruckner, Deimann & Kastner-Koller, 2011) can be used for early assessment of unclear handedness. The aim of this study was to examine the retest-reliability of the Hand Preference Test for 4 to 6 year-olds (HAPT 4-6, Bruckner et al., 2011). A preliminary study results in good reliability estimates for the laterality quotient, which expresses degree of hand preference, but insufficient estimates for hand preference consistency (Kastner-Koller et al., 2015). On that account a new investiga-tion with a shorter interval between the two surveys should be conducted. In the theoretical part of this work definitions of some terms related to handedness, an overview of handedness distribution and models on the origins of handedness are given. Another part deals with correlations of handedness with other variables. The HAPT 4-6, which was used for this study, will be described in detail, just as other assessment methods. The last chapter contains theoretical background about reliability.
METHOD: For this study data from 26 4;0 to 5;11 year old children were used. All of them visited the same kindergarten. During two visits with an interval of four to six weeks the children conducted the HAPT 4-6 in a room of the kindergarten. Reliability estimates were calculated on the basis of correlation.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Compared with the preliminary study this investigation shows better estimates for retest-reliability for both values. Reliability for the laterality quotient amounts to rtt = .876 and for the hand preference consistency to rtt = .465. Alt-hough results for the laterality quotient are quite good, estimates for the hand preference consistency are insufficient. The discussion part focuses on different explanations for the weak retest-reliability for hand preference consistency and suggestions for further investigations are presented.