Psychometrics and psychological diagnosis

elementary

K_W06, K_W15,

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 first semester)

1. The students know what psychometrics is and what is it role for a psychologist.

2. The students know and is able to explain basic psychometric terms.

3. The students are able to give the axioms of classical test theory (CTT). They know what is a true score and an observed score. They are able to show limitations of the CTT.

4. The students are able to characterize the basic methods of how to assess a reliability of a test (according to the CTT), they know what is a standard error of measurement, they are able to name and describe other errors of measurement.

5. The students know what a discriminatory power of the test item and knows the methods of its assessment.

6. The students know and are able to characterize basic methods of how a validity of a test should be assessed (according to CTT).

7. The students know the basics of a factor analysis and of a principal components analysis.

Skills (after the first semester)

1. The students are able to identify the psychometric test that meets the criteria of CTT referred to in the main publication: Standards for tests used in psychology and pedagogy (2007).

2. The students are able to use empirical results to calculate selected reliability coefficients, a standard error of measurement and other selected errors of measurement.

3. The students are able to use a standard error of measurement to build a confidence interval of a person’s true score.

4. The students are able to interpret measures calculated or provided (e.g. in test manuals): reliability measures, discriminatory power coefficients and standard error of measurement.

5. The students are able to select appropriate methods to verify a reliability and validity of a test.

6. The students are able to interpret results of a factor analysis and of a principal components analysis.

Competences

1. The students recognize a potential of psychological tests, but remains sensitive to their limitations.

2. The students remain cautious in assessing the psychometric properties of psychological tests.

3. The students are aware of the importance of reliability and validity of measurement for building the correct diagnosis.

4. The students actively protect tests from individuals and institutions that are not authorized to use them.

ECTS - zaoczne:

Lectures - 16 hours

Practical classes - 16 hours

Students’ preparations for the lectures - 18 hours

Students’ preparations for the practical classes – 10 hours

Students’ preparation for the assessment test – 30 hours

TOTAL – 90 hours [180 : 30 = 3]

ECTS points = 3