Validation of a Korean version of mobile app rating scale (MARS) for apps targeting disease management

Health Informatics J. 2022 Jan-Mar;28(0):14604582221091975. doi: 10.1177/14604582221091975.

Abstract

The mobile app rating scale (MARS) is a widely used instrument for evaluating smartphone app quality. We aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of MARS (MARS-K). Two independent raters performed the assessment using the translated 23-item questionnaire. We applied intraclass correlation coefficient analysis (ICC) to examine inter-rater reliability, Omega, and item-total correlation for internal consistency, and Pearson's r for test-retest reliability and correlation between subscales and the total score of MARS-K. Most items showed moderate to good ICC (0.447-1.000). The MARS-K showed excellent internal consistency and all subscales exceeded the acceptable level of omega. Results indicated MARS-K to be a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating disease management apps offered in the Korean app store. However, upgrades are recommended to further improve MARS-K's rating accuracy and reliability.

Keywords: application; disease management; rating scale; reliability; validity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Disease Management
  • Humans
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Republic of Korea
  • Surveys and Questionnaires