Abstract
Citation
Millstein RA, Cain KL, Sallis JF, Conway TL, Geremia C, Frank LD, Chapman J, Van Dyck D, Dipzinski LR, Kerr J, Glanz K, Saelens BE. Development, scoring, and reliability of the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS). BMC Public Health 2013 Apr 27;13:403.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Streetscape (microscale) features of the built environment can influence people's perceptions of their neighborhoods' suitability for physical activity. Many microscale audit tools have been developed, but few have published systematic scoring methods. We present the development, scoring, and reliability of the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS) tool and its theoretically-based subscales. METHODS: MAPS was based on prior instruments and was developed to assess details of streetscapes considered relevant for physical activity. MAPS sections (route, segments, crossings, and cul-de-sacs) were scored by two independent raters for reliability analyses. There were 290 route pairs, 516 segment pairs, 319 crossing pairs, and 53 cul-de-sac pairs in the reliability sample. Individual inter-rater item reliability analyses were computed using Kappa, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and percent agreement. A conceptual framework for subscale creation was developed using theory, expert consensus, and policy relevance. Items were grouped into subscales, and subscales were analyzed for inter-rater reliability at tiered levels of aggregation. RESULTS: There were 160 items included in the subscales (out of 201 items total). Of those included in the subscales, 80 items (50.0%) had good/excellent reliability, 41 items (25.6%) had moderate reliability, and 18 items (11.3%) had low reliability, with limited variability in the remaining 21 items (13.1%). Seventeen of the 20 route section subscales, valence (positive/negative) scores, and overall scores (85.0%) demonstrated good/excellent reliability and 3 demonstrated moderate reliability. Of the 16 segment subscales, valence scores, and overall scores, 12 (75.0%) demonstrated good/excellent reliability, three demonstrated moderate reliability, and one demonstrated poor reliability. Of the 8 crossing subscales, valence scores, and overall scores, 6 (75.0%) demonstrated good/excellent reliability, and 2 demonstrated moderate reliability. The cul-de-sac subscale demonstrated good/excellent reliability. CONCLUSIONS: MAPS items and subscales predominantly demonstrated moderate to excellent reliability. The subscales and scoring system represent a theoretically based framework for using these complex microscale data and may be applicable to other similar instruments.
Full Text
The full text is available at https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-403
At A Glance
Physical Activity Environment Variables
| # | Scale |
|---|---|
| 319 | Block |
| 516 | Segment |
| 53 | Cul de sac, crossings |
Domain(s)
Physical Activity Environment
Measure Type
Audit tool
Measure Availability
Free. Access at http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/supplementary/1471-2458-13-403-S1.pdf
Number of Items
58 Reported
Study location
Metro/Urban
Seattle, San Diego, Baltimore,, Washington, California, Maryland
Languages
Not applicable
Information about Development of Measure
The Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS) tool was adapted from previous tools, primarily the Analytic Audit Tool, as modified by the Healthy Aging Network, and further modified by present investigators. Specific items thought to be relevant for seniors or youth were added to the tool.
Study Design
Study Participants
Age
6 - 11 Years
12 - 18 Years
Adults
Sex
Not reported
Race/Ethnicity
Not reported
Predominantly Low-income/Low-SES
Not reported
Sample Size
Not Available
Study Design
Design Type
Validation/Reliability
Health Outcomes Assessed
None
Obesity Measures
Not reported
BMI Measured or Self-reported
Not applicable
Covariates
Sociodemographic characteristics (socioeconomic status, race)
Data Reported on Race/Ethnicity
Not applicable
Data Reported on SES
Quantitative data for community or area
SES-related Variables
Income
How To Use
Administration
Who Administered
Researcher-administered
How Administered
Direct observation, hard-copy form
Time Required
5 to 120 minutes
Training Required
Yes, time reported: 3 days
Instructions on Use
Instructions on instrument use included in article
Data Analysis
Data Collection/Analysis Costs
Not available
Data Collection/Protocol
Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS) data were collected in 2009 to 2010. Raters began MAPS auditing at a Neighborhood Impact on Kids (NIK) Study, Teen Environment and Neighborhood (TEAN) Study, and Senior Neighborhood Quality of Life Study (SNQLS) participant's residence. and walked along the designated route on same side of the street. In inclement weather, raters drove the routes. The items on the route section were collected across the entire 1/4 mile section. When the rater crossed the street, either at a designated intersection with or without a pedestrian crossing, or due to an obstruction in the walkway, a new crossing section was completed, along with a new segment section. When a street changed names, a new segment section was started. Cul-de-sacs or street dead-ends that were within 400 feet of a participant's home were rated using the culde-sac section. All routes in the reliability sample were completed by two people.
Instructions on Data Analysis
Instructions on analysis included in article
Validity (0)
There are no validity tests reported for this measure.
Reliability (2)
| Type of reliability | Construct/subscale assessed | Test/statistic used | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-rater | Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS) items | Intraclass correlation (ICC) | ICC = 0.514 to 0.889 |
| Inter-rater | Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS) items | % Agreement | % = 17.5 to 96.3 |