Ch 1 Flashcards
Roadmap [placeholder]
Testing vs Assessment
Parties involved in testing
Different types of testing/tests
What is a psychological assessment?
“Measurement is the assessment of numbers to objects or events according to rules” (Stevens)
“Measurement is the process of linking abstract concepts to empirical indicants” (Zeller & Carmines)
Psychological Assessment is…
The assessment of individual differences and personal experiences
- Characteristics
- Attitudes
- Mental Health Symptoms
- Behaviors
Some are “states” and some are “traits”
Measurement Process
Psychological Construct -> Measure -> Collect Raw Data
Testing In Psychology
Process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior
Psychological Assessment
Gathering and integrating psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation through tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observation, and specially designed apparatuses and measurement procedures
The objective of testing
To obtain some gauge usually numerical in nature, regarding an ability or attribute
The objective of assessment
To answer a referral question, solve a problem, or arrive at a decision through the tools of evaluation
Dynamic Assessment
Typically employed in educational settings but may also be used in correctional, corporate, neuropsychological, clinical, and other settings
Stages of Dynamic Assessment
Evaluation -> Intervention -> Evaluation
Test
A psychological test is a device or procedure designed to measure variables related to psychology (e.g., intelligence, attitudes, personality, and interests)
Psychological tests vary by content, format, technical quality, and administration, scoring, and interpretation procedures
Content
The subject matter of the test varies with the focus of the particular test and based on the theoretical orientation of different test developers
Format
The form, plan, structure, layout of test items, and other considerations (e.g., time limits)
Administration
Tests may either involve the demonstration of certain tasks demanded of the assessed and trained observation of performance or may not require the involvement of test administrators
Scoring and Interpretation
Scoring of tests may be simple, such as summing responses to items
May require more elaborate procedures
Some tests results can be interpreted easily or interpreted by computer, whereas other tests require expertise for proper interpretation
Cut Score
A reference point, usually numerical, used to divide data into two or more classifications (e.g., pass or fail)
Psychometrics
The science of psychological measurement
Psychometric Soundness
How consistent and accurately the test measures what it claims to measure
Psychometrists or Psychometricians
Administers psychological and neuropsychological tests
Interview
A method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange
Portfolio
A file containing the products of one’s work; it may serve as a sample of one’s abilities and accomplishments
Case history data
Information preserved in records, transcripts, and/or other forms
Behavioral observation
Monitoring the actions of people through visual or electronic means
Local processing
Scoring done on site
Central processing
Scoring is done at a central location (specific or certain location)
Reports can come in as…
- Simple scoring report
- Extended scoring report
- Interpretive scoring report
- Consultative report
- Integrative report
Computer-assisted psychological assessment (CAPA) and computer adaptive testing (CAT)
have allowed for tailor-made tests with built-in scoring and interpretive capabilities
Advantages of internet testing
- Greater access to potential test users
- Scoring and interpretation tend to be quicker
- Costs tend to be lower
- Facilitates testing of otherwise isolated populations and people with disabilities
Test developer
Creates tests for research studies, publications (as commercially available instruments), or modifications of existing tests
Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing
Covers issues related to test construction and evaluation, test administration and use, and special applications of tests such as considerations when testing linguistic minorities
Test user
Tests are used by a wide range of professionals
Test taker
Anyone who is the subject of an assessment or evaluation is a test taker
Society at large
Test developers create tests to meet the needs of an evolving society
Laws and courts
Decisions may play a major role in test development, administration, and interpretation
Other parties
Organizations, companies, and governmental agencies sponsor the development of tests
Educational Settings
Students undergo school ability tests and achievement tests
Clinical Settings
Include hospitals, and outpatient clinics, private-practice consulting rooms, schools, and other institutions
Counseling Settings
Includes schools, prisons, and governmental or privately owned institutions
Geriatric Settings
Assessments that evaluate cognitive, psychological, adaptive, or other functioning; it focuses on the quality of life
Business and military settings
Decisions regarding careers of personnel are made with a variety of achievement, aptitude, interest, motivational, and other tests
Government and organizational credentialing
Include governmental licensing, certification, or general credentialing of professionals (e.g., attorneys, physicians, and psychologists)
Obligations
- Familiarity with test materials and procedures
- Ensuring that the room in which the test will be conducted is suitable and conducive to the testing
- Establish rapport during test administration
Rapport
working relationship between the examiner and the examinee
Accommodations
the adaptations of a test, procedure, or situation, or the substitution of one test of another are essential to make the assessment more suitable for an assessee with exceptional needs
Test Manuals
Contain detailed information concerning the development of a particular test and technical information
Journal Articles
Contains a review of a test, updated or independent studies of its psychometric soundness, or examples of how the instrument was used in either research or an applied context
Online Databases [skip]
PsycINFO, ClinPSYC, PsycARTICLES, PsycSCAN
