Reliability and validity of a local classification of schizophrenia

In this study an attempt was made to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and discriminant validity of a local classification of schizophrenia proposed by Rakhawi [1991]. A convenience sample of 94 male subjects with schizophrenia was assessed and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used as an external validator. The proposed classification demonstrated adequate inter-rater reliability comparable to operationally defined subtypes as well as adequate discriminant validity, i.e. each of the proposed types qualified as a distinct category. The implications of these findings in relation to other nosological approaches based on operational definitions were discussed