Psychometrics and psychological diagnosis 2

Psychometrics and psychological diagnosis 1 WF-PS-PSM1

intermediate

K_W06

K_W15

K_U03

K_U07

K_U08

A yearly (60 hours) original lecture at the Institute of Psychology, at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University.

Knowledge

The scope of psychometric expertise has fundamentally altered in the last few years.

These are not only minor adjustments in the conceptual sphere. The changes were so severe that they challenged conventional understanding of what goodness of measurement is.

The main objective of this course is to acquaint students with the methods of constructing psychological tests and with psychometric characteristics of the test – not only according to the classic, but mostly to the modern (non-classical) theoretical framework. A psychologist should gain a thorough knowledge of the theoretical basis and of interpretation rules of the results of the (main) psychological tests, which are used for diagnosis, selection or to support the therapy. But a psychologist should also be able to apply this knowledge to construct a new psychological test and to assess its psychometric characteristics. A student, who completes a psychology course, should also be able to adapt the test from foreign culture and language. It is also assumed that he or she is essentially ready to use psychological tests in diagnostic practice and therapeutic expertise.

Skills

A psychologist knows how to identify the psychometric test that meets the criteria referred to in the main publication: Standards for tests used in psychology and pedagogy (2007).

A psychology graduate knows how to competently use psychological tests in diagnostic practice and expertise, but also in practice research. A psychologist is able to assess the appropriateness of any test used (such as psychological tests), he or she knows how to assess the methodological correctness of the diagnostic interview or observation and critically assess the methodological quality of studies published in the literature. He or she is able to do it using classical and non-classical psychometric theories. A psychology graduate is able to construct the psychological test and is able to adapt one (from different culture or language). Finally, he or she is able to correctly analyse - with reference to the statistical methods - the results of the test, and prepare a multimedia presentation or a talk based on the results.

Competences

A psychologist protects psychological tests against individuals and institutions, which – with a free access to the results of testing of certain persons - would violate the principle of confidentiality, and of privacy and dignity of the person tested. A psychology graduate informs authorized persons and institutions about the results of their testing in a responsible manner (in accordance with professional ethics of psychologist).

Knowledge (after the second semester)

1. Students know advanced methods of how to assess a validity of a psychological measurement, in particular, they are able to characterize a correctional method: Multi-trait Multi-method matrix.

2. Students know a difference between a validity of a test (a classical approach) and a validity of a measurement (a modern approach).

3. Students know characteristics of main strategies of how standard psychological tests are constructed.

4. Students are able to list and characterize basic stages of how standard psychological test are adapted to a new culture. They are able to characterize psychometric procedures at each of these stages.

5. Students are able to list and characterize modern (non-classical) methods of reliability estimation: Methods of Hoyt or Wiener. They know their limitations.

6. Students are able to characterize basic assumptions of generalizability theory (G-theory). They are able to show a difference between G-theory and other approaches to reliability.

7. Students are able to explain a difference between quantitative (standard) and free-response (qualitative) measures.

Skills (after the second semester)

1. Students are able to interpret provided results of validity estimation, including the results of Multi-trait Multi-method matrix.

2. Students are able to transform test scores into a proper standard scale.

3. Students are able to apply their knowledge on the properties of the normal distribution to interpret a test score.

4. Students are able to select an appropriate method of constructing or adapting a test. They are able to explain and justify their choice.

5. Students are able to plan constructing or adapting of a test.

6. Students are able to asses psychometric characteristics of a test, which are calculated based on the modern (non-classical) techniques.

Competences (after the second semester)

1. Students are able to explain a difference between norms for different populations and knows how to use them properly.

2. Students are aware of an importance of test standardization.

3. Students are able to apply their knowledge on constructing and adapting of the tests in a creative way.

4. Students notice and understand a difference between standard (quantitative) tests and free-response measures.

5. Students remain sensitive to any factors that may interfere in a diagnostic procedure that uses standard psychological tests.

ECTS:

Lectures - 30 hours

Practical classes - 30 hours

Students’ preparations for the lectures - 15 hours

Students’ preparations for the practical classes – 15 hours

Students’ preparation for the assessment test – 30 hours

Students’ preparation for the final exam – 30 hours

TOTAL – 150 hours [150 : 30 = 5]

ECTS points = 5