Anne Schulz May 25, 2016:

Just can't help the feeling ... that the author was drawing from an English source reading, "[All guidelines] use different methods and sources of information, recommending [the use of] behavioural observation, questionnaires for parents and teachers, standardized interviews..." ;-)

Ramey Rieger (X) May 25, 2016:

Shorthand version All ADHD diagnostic guidelines recommend integrating various (test) methods as well as diverse sources of information (these are listed), regardless of the patient's age (group).

Susan Welsh (asker) May 24, 2016:

Methoden They are various methodologies/therapies for dealing with ADHD. The article is about how ADHD manifests itself throughout the lifespan (early onset before school age, school-age onset, adults with ADHD, etc.), not about specific therapies, so there's not much about the Methoden, but that's what the author means.l

Björn Vrooman May 24, 2016:

@Ramey
I won't say another word without my lawyer. (That's what watching Law & Order will do to you.) But off the record: I admit it's tempting :)

@Anne
Thanks for the information; the word "euphemism" I understand quite well (what can I say, I'm a political junkie).

You do agree though that "Methoden" is a very inclusive term in German, "Gummibegriff" or "dehnbarer Begriff," probably? That's why I'm not sure, although I do understand your reservations.

If Susan could tell us in what way "Methoden" is used in the rest of the article, that'd be cleared up quickly.

Anne Schulz May 24, 2016:

@Björn Genau – das ist der Punkt und Interpretationsunterschied! Für mich wären 'Methoden und Informationsquellen' naheliegenderweise die Verhaltensbeobachtungen, Fragebögen, Interviews und Befunderhebung.<br />(Und was die 'recommendations' anbetrifft: die haben sich in der Tat sozusagen als Sprachregelung verselbständigt und sind ein freundlicher Euphemismus geworden, denn sie sind zwar überhaupt nicht verpflichtend, aber wenn du die 'Empfehlungen' der 'Leitlinien' nicht befolgst, zahlt im Zweifelsfalle die Krankenkasse nicht für die Therapie und falls etwas schiefgehen sollte, liegt die Beweislast bei dir, dass das, was du gemacht hast, in der gegebenen Situation eine sinnvolle Maßnahme war.)

Ramey Rieger (X) May 24, 2016:

Aw c'mon Björn admit it, you love splitting hairs! ;-) I could do with a new coiffure. You, too, an enjoyable evening.

Wendy Streitparth May 24, 2016:

Agree with Björn: don't see anything wrong with the grammar. All the guidelines use various methods and sources of information which recommend ...

Björn Vrooman May 24, 2016:

I won't say it's a great sentence. I'm just not so sure there is any grammar error in here. The second "die" would refer to Methoden/Informationsquellen. If you think Methode = Verhaltensbeobachtung, then, of course, it is wrong. If you believe Methode = Diagnostik / Untersuchung and Informationsquellen = research material, then it's no longer that clear. In any case, I think the awkwardness hinges on "empfehlen."

I am not even certain (since Anne has more experience in the field, she may know) that "recommend" is suitable in this context, considering the "obligat" and "fakultativ" mentioned at this link:

http://www.hamburg.de/contentblob/72700/data/bbs-sch-d-adhs-...

It seems more like "urge somebody to do something/strongly recommend that somebody does something."

I don't want to split hairs, though. Have a nice evening.

Ramey Rieger (X) May 24, 2016:

I would think one 'die' has died - die (Verwendung) die Verhaltensbeobachtungen - but I am not a German ns. I had to study the sentence some time before I made the connection.

Björn Vrooman May 24, 2016:

Hi Ramey Anne: "I think the problem is in the subsequent relative clause which (grammatically) has an inappropriate reference."

I disagree.

Ramey Rieger (X) May 24, 2016:

Hi Björn No one said there was anything wrong with it, but elegant it is not...

Björn Vrooman May 24, 2016:

Funny, and here I was seeing nothing wrong with it :-/

I think you may be reading it wrong, Anne. Cut "Informationsquellen" from it.

"Verwendung unterschiedlicher Methoden, die Verhaltensbeobachtungen, Eltern- und Lehrerfragebogen, standardisierte Interviews sowie eine somatische Befunderhebung empfehlen"

You may have to move "recommend" further up the line in English, but that doesn't mean the German sentence is wrong.

All of them recommend the use of different methods and sources, from behavioral observations, parent and teacher surveys to standardized interviews and...

Ramey Rieger (X) May 24, 2016:

Hi Allen (I mean Susan!) when I take it apart:
All guidelines have in common that they recommend drawing on/from various sources to diagnose ADHD in children, youth and adults

Ramey Rieger (X) May 24, 2016:

Yes, Anne That's how I see it also - the guidelines have in common that they all recommend drawing from various sources of information. It is quite awkwardly phrased, to phrase it awkwardly.

Anne Schulz May 24, 2016:

On second thought, I think the problem is in the subsequent relative clause which (grammatically) has an inappropriate reference: Obviously, it is not the Informationsquellen but the Leitlinien which recommend. Hence, these guidelines probably don't use different methods, but recommend the use of various (= more than one) methods and sources, such as observations, questionnaires, interviews and assessments.

Susan Welsh (asker) May 24, 2016:

Thank you, Anne It's always good to know when I'm not completely nuts! (I did know, at least, that it was not about a guy named Allen!)

Anne Schulz May 24, 2016:

@Susan Don't worry, this is an odd (or awkward) combination – guidelines having in common that they use different methods and sources...!