Assessment measures and tests
Psychological assessment is a process-orientated activity aimed at gathering
a wide array of informationby using psychological assessment measures and info
from many other source, we then evaluate and integrate all this information to
reach a conclusion
Psychometrics = a body of theory and research to ensure reliability and
validity of research regarding the scientific measurements principles that are
applied to the measurement of psychological characteristics
Characteristics of assessment measures (AM)
AM include many different procedures that can be used in psychological,
occupational and educational assessments and can be administered to
individuals, groups and organisation.
Specific domains of functioning are sampled by AM, inferences can be
made about normal r abnormal behaviour and functioning
AM administered under carefully controlled/Standardised conditions, these
are strict methods and guidelines given for scoring, interpretation and
feedback.
Systematic methods are applied to score/evaluate assessments.
Guidelines are available to understand and interpret results, may make
provision for comparison against an appropriate norm group.
AM should be supported by evidence that they are valid and reliable for
the intended purpose (technical test manual)
AM are developed in a certain context, for a specific purpose, normative
information used to interpret test performance is limited to the
characteristics of normative sample. Thus, the appropriateness of an AM
for someone from a different culture, context or society cannot be
assumed without investigation into test bias and without strong
consideration to adapt and re-norm the measure.
Assessment measures vary in terms of:
How they are administered (group, individual, computing)
The use of time limits
o Speed measures – large number of fairly easy items of the same
difficulty that need t be completed in a certain time limit
o Power measures – no time limit imposed but items get
progressively more difficult.
How they are scored (objectively, with scoring masks etc)
How they are normed (using a comparison group or a criterion)
What their intended purpose is (screening, diagnostic, competency-based
testing)
Nature of the items (verbal, performance task etc)
Response required from test taker (verbally, via pen and paper,
manipulating physical objects, pressing computer keys etc)
Psychological assessment is a process-orientated activity aimed at gathering
a wide array of informationby using psychological assessment measures and info
from many other source, we then evaluate and integrate all this information to
reach a conclusion
Psychometrics = a body of theory and research to ensure reliability and
validity of research regarding the scientific measurements principles that are
applied to the measurement of psychological characteristics
Characteristics of assessment measures (AM)
AM include many different procedures that can be used in psychological,
occupational and educational assessments and can be administered to
individuals, groups and organisation.
Specific domains of functioning are sampled by AM, inferences can be
made about normal r abnormal behaviour and functioning
AM administered under carefully controlled/Standardised conditions, these
are strict methods and guidelines given for scoring, interpretation and
feedback.
Systematic methods are applied to score/evaluate assessments.
Guidelines are available to understand and interpret results, may make
provision for comparison against an appropriate norm group.
AM should be supported by evidence that they are valid and reliable for
the intended purpose (technical test manual)
AM are developed in a certain context, for a specific purpose, normative
information used to interpret test performance is limited to the
characteristics of normative sample. Thus, the appropriateness of an AM
for someone from a different culture, context or society cannot be
assumed without investigation into test bias and without strong
consideration to adapt and re-norm the measure.
Assessment measures vary in terms of:
How they are administered (group, individual, computing)
The use of time limits
o Speed measures – large number of fairly easy items of the same
difficulty that need t be completed in a certain time limit
o Power measures – no time limit imposed but items get
progressively more difficult.
How they are scored (objectively, with scoring masks etc)
How they are normed (using a comparison group or a criterion)
What their intended purpose is (screening, diagnostic, competency-based
testing)
Nature of the items (verbal, performance task etc)
Response required from test taker (verbally, via pen and paper,
manipulating physical objects, pressing computer keys etc)
