Course Title: Psych 6025: Assessment Techniques
3 Semester Credit Hours
Instructor: Dr. Norwil (Noy) Frial, NCC, LCPC, CADC
Class Schedule: Wednesday Evenings 6:00PM – 10:00PM
Concordia University Campus
Contact Information: I will be available before class or by appointment
REQUIRED TEXT:
Chohen, R. & Swedlik, M. (2005). Psychological Testing and Assessment. (6th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
TECHNOLOGY EXPECTATIONS:
It is expected that you will complete all assignments by word processing following APA format. Additionally, you will be required to utilize library services which include a large on-line database of research information and periodic use of the internet may be necessary to prepare for class discussion. Presentations may be provided utilizing a presentation platform similar to PowerPoint. The professor will communicate with you outside of class via email.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
A combination of lecture, video, discussion, case vignettes and student presentations will be utilized to meet the course objectives.
ATTENTION TO ISSUES OF DIVERSITY:
Special populations will be discussed and the relationship of course objectives to various populations will be reviewed including: race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age.
COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM CATALOG:
“History, purpose, principles and methods of assessment; techniques and instruments employed in measuring abilities, achievement, interest, and personality; statistical procedures, limitations of measurement, especially among children. Relationship of assessment to the objectives of the school and counseling procedures.”
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course will review the use of assessment tools in a variety of areas, including clinical, counseling, educational, and employment settings. The purpose of the course is to foster your development of specific skills necessary for becoming proficient users of assessment data. These specific skills include test selection, test evaluation, interpretation of results, and report writing. Additionally, the limitations of assessment tools will also be discussed. At the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Describe the concepts of evaluation, measurement, testing, assessment and treatment utility.
- Apply knowledge gained about assessment instruments used to make a range of decisions in education, counseling, industry, and other fields.
- Critically evaluate the technical properties (norming procedures, reliability and validity) of assessment tools used with students, clients, employees, and other populations.
- Interpret and report assessment results.
- Identify individual difference and broader cultural factors that may influence testing situations and assessment results.
- Understand and appreciate the ethical standards that guide testing and assessment.
Course Requirements and Grading
- Class Attendance: Due to the reduced timeline of this course, attendance of all classes is essential to your success in meeting the course objectives. If you are unable to attend a class session, you should contact the instructor via Email in advance of the missed class.
- Quizzes: Three in-class quizzes will be given to the students which will be used to identify learning gains made in the objectives identified in the syllabus and to identify critical thinking skills in relation to assessment issues. Quizzes are 15 points each.
- Homework Assignments: Four homework assignments will be given throughout the course and listed in the topical outline. Each homework assignment is worth 5 points. Being prepared to discuss the required readings will count up to 5 points.
- Each student will complete a typed review of an assessment instrument (Final Assessment Review) and brief 15 minute Class Presentation.
Quizzes (3 X 15 points)
Homework (4 X 5 points)
Preparation (5 points)
Final Assessment Review (25 points)
Class Presentation (5 points)
|
|
100-91 A |
90-89 A- |
|
88 B+ |
87-81 B |
80-79 B- |
|
78 C+ |
77-71 C |
70-69 C- |
|
68 D+ |
67-61 D |
60-59 D- |
School Counseling Portfolio Students:
Acceptable assignments from this class may be used for your portfolio to cover the below standards. Quiz 1 submitted with grade, Quiz 2, Quiz 3 and Quiz 4 can be typed and submitted with cover sheet from your professor explaining grade. The final graded research paper may also be used for the portfolio.
Standard 2: Career Development
2R: Administers and interprets assessment tools such as interest inventories, aptitude batteries, personality inventories and self-assessment tools to help students with educational and career decisions.
Standard 8: Individual Student Planning
8C: Understand how to apply knowledge about individual appraisal by using tests and non-test information to assist students with academic and career planning.
8G: Applies knowledge about individual appraisal by using tests and non-test information to help students assess their abilities, interests, skills and achievement to develop short- and long-range plans.
Standard 13: Assessment
13A: Understands the purpose and meaning of assessment from multiple perspectives: historical, sociological, and educational
13B: Understands the basic concept of standardized and non-standardized testing and other assessment techniques.
13D: Understands the use of technology in assessment
13E: Understands the statistical concepts, including scale of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices or variability, shapes and types of distribution, and correlations.
13F: Understands reliability (theory of measurement error, models of reliability, and the use of reliability information) and validity (evidence of validity, types of validity), and the relationship between reliability and validity.
13G: Understands the implications of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, disability, culture, spirituality, and other factors related to assessment and evaluation.
13H: Analyzes testing information needed and selects appropriate tests, methods and/or materials to gather information and/or perform assessments.
13I: Uses various strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counseling.
13J: Interprets and accurately uses the statistical concepts, including scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, and correlation.
13K: Accurately selects and interprets assessment tools based on reliability and validity when appropriate.
13L: Interprets assessments accurately with understanding of diversity and its implications.
13M: Uses and applies appropriate technology in assessment.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Class 1: Course Over & Introduction, History of Tests, Assessment Process, Social Relationship
Homework: Read Chapter 1 and identify 3 tests which you wish to learn more about and why.
Class 2: Norms, Reliability, Validity & Ethics, Test Bias, Special Populations & Mental
Status Exam, Test Construction
Homework: Take an on-line IQ test, write at least one page of
comments summarizing your experiences – be sure to include the website
and your feelings as to the accuracy of the results
Review ACA Code of Ethics & Read Chapter 2 and 3
Class 3: Intelligence Test & Quiz 1
Homework: Research each of the three tests that you choose from class #2 and write a one-page summary of each of the article (3 pages total).
Read Chapter 4, 5, 6
Class 4: Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE), Intelligence Assessments
Homework: Read Chapters 8, 9
Class 5: Choosing an Assessment and “Reason for Referral” Quiz 2
Homework: Identify 5 articles on one of the tests you have researched and submit your reference titles and a few sentences about each article.
Class 6: Attitudes, Interests and Value Assessments,
Homework: Read Chapter 12 and 13
Class 7: Personality Assessments Quiz 3
Homework: Read Chapter 14 and Turn in Final Paper
Class 8: Neurological and Geriatric Assessments, Educational Assessments
Class Presentations
