This course is an introduction to the basic theories, applications and issues in psychological testing. The course will: (1) cover the areas of reliability, validity and norming common to all test construction; (2) investigate the legal and ethical issues relevant to psychological testing; (3) review the major instruments used in the measurement of intelligence, personality, aptitude, and achievement; and (4) examine the uses of testing in special situations (e.g., industrial/organizational settings).
 

Testing is a part of everyday life, whether on the job or in the community. We are tested across our life spans for different reasons. Why is this testing done and what is being measured? To understand the issues of conducting appropriate, accurate, unbiased and reliable testing is, thus, an important component of one's professional training in various fields. Students will engage in a variety of laboratory activities, both inside and outside of class. These activities include statistical operations which are involved in the construction and validation of adequate tests, and critical explorations of specific widely used tests. The students will survey the critical literature and report on the tests which they have explored. The combination of the traditional methods and the students' laboratory work should enable them to personally appropriate the essential elements of this field and to be able to put this knowledge to use in further academic and professional work.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. describe the theory and procedures that underlie the construction, validation &

interpretation of psychological tests;

2. demonstrate the administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting of selected tests.;

3. demonstrate competence in the use of Library & Internet sources of information about psychological tests; and

4. describe some of the issues involved in the actual use of testing for decision making.
 

Anastasi A. & Urbina, S. (1997). Psychological testing (7^th edition). Upper Saddle River,

NJ: Prentice Hall [ISBN: 0-02-303085-2].
 

(Most located on the 3^rd Floor Reference Section of the Ronald Williams Library)

Mental Measurements Yearbook - Buros Institute (Multiple volumes)

Tests: A Comprehensive Reference for Assessments in Psychology, Education, & Business (4^th

Ed.). - Teddy Maddox, Editor

Test Critiques B Daniel Keyser & Richard Sweetlands, Editors

Tests in Print IV: An Index to Tests, Test Reviews, and the Literature on Specific Tests - Linda

Murphy, Jane Conoley, & James Impara, Editors (also III, II, & I)

Standards for Educational & Psychological Testing.

*Location: 1^st Floor Reference Section of the Ronald Williams Library

Course Requirements and Evaluation

By design, this course will follow both a lecture and discussion format. In order that this format work as a meaningful learning experience, it is crucial that students carefully read the assignments and come to class ready to participate.

1. CLASS PARTICIPATION Attend all classes in their entirety, complete all assignments punctually, and contribute actively in class and group discussions (15% of final grade)

2. CLASS PAPER Review a test of your choice (excluding projective tests). The paper should be APA format and 3 pages in length. It should included some historical background, a review of the test's psychometric properties, information from the latest Buros Report, and an example of how it should be used and administered (25% of final grade) Due in class on 11/16/99.

3. IN-CLASS MID-TERM & FINAL EXAMS (30% each; 60% of final grade)

***extra credit assignments will be offered throughout the term!
 

A = 90-100 C = 70-79 F = below 60

B = 80-89 D = 60-69

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

1 9/2/99 Class introduction
 

What is "testing?"

Group exercise

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

2 9/7/99 Functions of Psychological Testing
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 1: "Nature and Use of Psychological Tests"

Also review: Appendix A: Alphabetical Listing of Tests and Other Assessment Tools

Appendix B: Addresses of Test Publishers, Distributors, and Test-Related

Organizations
 

EXTRA CLASS ASSIGNMENT #1 - 2 points

There are "pro" and "con" issues in the use of testing in certain situations. For example, there is currently a big controversy over the idea of mandatory and frequent testing of drivers in later life. Give the possible "pro" and "con" arguments regarding this issue. 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class (9/9/99).

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

3 9/9/99 History of Testing

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 2: "Historical Antecedents of Modern Testing"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

9/14/99 Ethical Issues in Testing
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 18: "Ethical and Social Considerations in Testing"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

5 9/16/99 Meaning of Test Scores
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 3: "Norms and the Meaning of Test Scores"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

6 9/21/99 Reliability in Testing
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 4: "Reliability"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

7 9/23/99 Validity in Testing: Types of Validity
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 5: "Validity: Basic Concepts"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

8 9/28/99 Validity in Testing: Types of Validity, ct'd
 

Discuss class project - Job Knowledge Test Battery

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

9 9/30/99 Validity in Testing: Measurement
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 6: "Validity: Measurement and Interpretation"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

10 10/5/99 Validity in Testing: Interpretation
 
 

EXTRA CLASS ASSIGNMENT #2 - 2 points

There are many types of validity (construct, content, criterion-related, internal, external, etc). Is it

possible to achieve the "perfect" test which satisfies all conditions of validity. Why or why not?

Explain answer. 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

11 10/7/99 Item Analysis: Difficulty to Bias

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 7: "Item Analysis"
 

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

12 10/12/99 Item Analysis: Difficulty to Bias, ct'd
 

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

13 10/14/99 Review of Mid-Term Test

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

14 10/19/99 Mid-Term Test
 

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

10/21/99 Testing for Individuals
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 8: "Individual Tests"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

16 10/26/99 Testing for Specific Groups
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 9: "Tests for Special Populations"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

17 10/28/99 Testing for Specific Groups, ct'd

testing older adults

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

18 11/2/99 Group-based Testing
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 10: "Group Testing"
 

EXTRA CLASS ASSIGNMENT #3 - 2 points

We have discussed the many considerations in testing (individual vs. group, characteristics of test taker). How do cross-cultural differences affect the testing process, based upon what we have discussed in class? 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

19 11/4/99 Intelligence Testing
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 11: "Nature of Intelligence"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

20 11/9/99 Intelligence Testing

Group exercise

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

21 11/11/99 Issues in Testing Intelligence: Life Span and Cross Cultural
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 12: "Psychological Issues in Ability Testing"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

22 11/16/99 Personality: Self-Report Measures
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 13: "Self-Report Personality Inventories"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

23 11/18/99 Personality: Self-Report Measures, ct'd
 

Group exercise

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

24 11/23/99 Personality: Self-Report Measures, ct'd

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

25 11/25/99 No class - Thanksgiving Holiday!
 

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

11/30/99 Attitudinal Measures
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 14: "Measuring Interests and Attitudes"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

27 12/2/99 Projective Testing
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 15: "Projective Techniques"
 

EXTRA CLASS ASSIGNMENT #4 - 2 points

There are advantages and disadvantages to using self-report measures of attitudes and personality

characteristics. How would you decrease the potential problems when using such measures?

1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

28 12/7/99 Situational Testing
 

Have read for today's lecture:

Chapter 16: "Other Assessment Techniques"

Chapter 17: "Major Contexts of Current Test Use"

Class Date Class Topic/Activity

29 12/9/99 Review for Final Exam

FINAL EXAM - December 16, 1999: 10-11:50am