A comparison of computer administration with standard administration of the MMPI

Abstract Administration of the MMPI by microcomputer was compared with administration by standard pencil-paper format. One hundred fifty undergraduate students were given the MMPI twice with an average test-retest interval of one week under one of the following conditions: twice by pencil-paper format, twice by computer, or once by each of these modes of administration. Generally, the computer and pencil-paper formats proved comparable in terms of mean scale scores, test-retest correlations, and stability of high-point codes. Availability of a cannot say (“?”) response key on the computer yielded a significantly greater usage of this response but did not adversely affect clinical scores. Computer administration required substantially less time than pencil-paper administration, and subjects showed a preference for the computer format. Relatively poor high-point code stability was found, regardless of format. In general, computerized administration of the MMPI offers several advantages. There remains a need to extend this investigative methodology to clinical populations.