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K-CAT Frequently Asked Questions

General

  1. What is K-CAT?
  2. What tools are available through K-CAT?
  3. How can I use the K-CAT tools?
  4. How is on-line submission kept secure?
  5. Are there alternate ways we can use K-CAT tools without using the internet?
  6. What if I have questions not answered here?

K-PIRS

  1. What is K-PIRS?
  2. Does the K-PIRS have supporting documentation?
  3. Where will our client data be stored? Can we keep it on our server?
  4. Can we share and compare our data with other K-CAT subscribers?
  5. Will we have access to the collective database?
  6. Can we receive the profile and data immediately from the student doing the intake? How?
  7. Will we receive local norms from our institution that become part of the feedback?
  8. Are there additional costs for setting up K-PIRS to interface with our present client data? How much? How is this done?

K-PIRS Form-B

  1. What is K-PIRS Form-B? How is it different from K-PIRS?
  2. How do we identify clients from K-PIRS with Form-B?
  3. How often should Form-B be administered?

CLEI

  1. What is the CLEI?

HBA

  1. What is the HBA?

General

  1. What is K-CAT?

    K-CAT is a not-for-profit distribution company introducing a series of instruments that have been designed by a group of professionals in human services and institutional evaluation at Kansas State University over the past 10 years. more about K-CAT »

  2. What tools are available through K-CAT?

    There are four tools; the K-PIRS, K-PIRS Form-B, CLEI, and HBA. Two additional assessment tools are currently under development; the Career Readiness & Planning Inventory, and the Stress Behaviors and Resilience Inventory.

    For more information on these tools, visit the tools page.

  3. How can I use the K-CAT tools?

    The tools are administered to clients online via a web browser. Once submitted, the results can be viewed, printed, and downloaded to your local system.

  4. How is on-line submission kept secure?

    All communication between the client computer and web server is performed via a secure channel which uses 128-bit SSL encryption. This the same mechanism used by credit card companies and online banking institutions to ensure the security of the data transmission.

  5. Are there alternate ways we can use the K-CAT tools without using the internet?

    It is possible that the online instrument could be converted to paper or scantron froms. Agencies may choose to have their clients use paper form, and have personnel input via the online tool.

  6. What if I have questions not answered here?

    If you have a question not covered in this FAQ, please contact us. Your question can be answered individually and may be added here as well.

K-PIRS

  1. What is K-PIRS?

    K-PIRS is an instrument that identifies college-student client concerns at the beginning of treatment and, when used with K-PIRS Form-B, assesses behavior change over time. The instrument uses multi-point scales to gather information about presenting symptoms, level of interference with functioning, and readiness to change.

    For more information see the K-PIRS product page »

  2. Does the K-PIRS have supporting documentation?

    Yes. An accompanying user guide of over 50 pages will be available with the release of K-PIRS tool online in the fall. You may view the table of contents here.

  3. Where will our client data be stored? Can we keep it on our server?

    All data will be stored securely on K-CAT's central database in order to develop a diverse normative statistical base for further research and evaluation. However, the data is also available for download to your local system to be stored and used as you need.

  4. Can we share and compare our data with other K-CAT subscribers?

    Each subscriber has full access to their client data and is free to exchange or share that data as they deem appropriate for their purposes.

  5. Will we have access to the collective database?

    During the Beta year all data will be used to establish a diverse normative statistical base for further research and evauluation. New norms based upon this data will distributed to subscribers at the end of the Beta year.

    For additional analysis of data, institutions will proceed through IRB Human Subjects procedures.

  6. Can we receive the profile and data immediately from the student doing the intake? How?

    Yes. Using your institution's management login, you can view submissions which include the 7-factor profile chart and report.

  7. Will we receive local norms from our institution that become part of the feedback?

    As a subscriber, you will have full access to your client data that you can analyze to fit your specific needs.

  8. Are there additional costs for setting up K-PIRS to interface with our present client data? How much? How is this done?

    Yes. Minor adjustments, bug fixes, or feature changes typically are done free of charge. However, more complex changes or feature enhancements would need to be handled on a case-by-case basis. Any interfacing to local systems or client data and custom developed can be accomplished after gathering program information and requirements from you.

    If you would like more information on how K-PIRS could interface with your local client data, please contact us and we can further discuss your specific needs.

K-PIRS Form-B

  1. What is K-PIRS Form-B? How is it different from K-PIRS?

    The K-PIRS Form-B client evaluation utilizes repeat measures from the K-PIRS on the 50 question (7 factors) and interference with academic and social function. It also includes additional outcomes measures (progress on counseling goals, symptom reduction, decision-making, problem-solving, goal achievement, health and well-being, stress management, and relationship.

    As Form-B is a follow-up to previous client assessment, there is no need to collect demographic data again and so they are not included.

  2. How do we identify clients from K-PIRS with Form-B?

    The assessments can be resolved using the unique identifier that is assigned to each individual client.

  3. How often should Form-B be administered?

    K-CAT suggests administering Form-B every third session and on exit. However, this schedule can vary depending on your particular needs or preference.

CLEI

  1. What is the CLEI?

    CLEI (College Learning Effectiveness Inventory) is an assessment tool designed to measure psycho-social factors impacting academic performance. It will be available Fall 2007.

    For more information see the CLEI product page »

HBA

  1. What is the HBA?

    HBA (Health Behaviors Assessment) is an assessment tool designed to measure the physical activity, eating, and stress management behaviors compared with criterion standards. It will be available Fall 2007.

    For more information see the HBA product page »