SCORING PROCEDURES FOR LENGTH-COMPLEXITY INDEX - PRELIMINARY REPORT

Shriner (1968) has reviewed the procedural and inherent weaknesses of the MLR. The sufficiency of the SCS has also been challenged. A new language measure, the length-complexity index (LCI), is currently regarded as the best single indicator of developmental changes in child language. The LCI makes a composite analysis of sentence length and sentence complexity concurrently according to a numeric weighting system. The methodology and implications for language therapy are discussed. Future research should permit refinement of the LCI. Currently unanswered questions include (A) the emergence of transformations, (B) standardized sampling procedure, (C) size of language sample, and (D) generalizability for different dialect groups. Nevertheless, the LCI does provide more information regarding the morphological and syntactical features in the language of children than does either MLR or SCS. © 1969.