MARSHALL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE COLLEGE

PSYCHOMETRICS

PSYCHOLOGY 506 - Spring 2001

DEPARTMENT:    Psychology

 DIVISION:    Graduate College 

CREDIT HOURS:      3 

INSTRUCTOR:        Dr. Phil O. McClung, NCC., LPC

                                    National License # 12240,  WV License # 413

                                    Email: philwvup@hotmail.com

                                    304 424-8268 or 304 424-8315 Fax

                                    304 424-8253 Division Representative

                                    Office:  1025-D

                                    Web Page: http://129.71.199.85/mcclung/

 PREREQUISITES:  Program admission or permission from the Marshall                                        University Graduate College.

 TEXTBOOK:  Psychological Testing - Aiken, et al (2000, Fourth Edition)

 INTRODUCTION AND COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course introduces the student to the theory and applications of psychological assessment procedures. Includes intelligence testing, behavioral assessment procedures and interviewing.

 OBJECTIVES

 I.         COURSE OBJECTIVES:

         1.            To become proficient in the basic terminology and concepts involved in                      psychological assessment

2.            To examine the principles of psychological assessment, including the psychometric theory and test construction.

         3.      To review some of the more popular psychological assessment methods and instruments.

         4.      To understand basic statistics for describing scores, norms for interpreting scores, and psychometric properties of scales such as reliability and validity..

5.            To gain hands on experience constructing and validating a new assessment scale and writing an APA-style report of this project.

6.            To understand the uses and misuses of psychological testing, both historically and presently, especially for minority populations and disadvantaged groups.

II.      GENERAL OBJECTIVES

          1.      Written Communication - Each student will submit a typed research project(see separate attachment).

          2.      Oral Communication - Each student will be required to participate in verbal team presentations.

          3.      Mathematical Skills/Competencies - Each student will be required to make critical interpretations of a statistical or graphical nature.

         4.      Information Access/Literacy Skills - Each student will be required to conduct an internet search.  Use of e-mail will be encouraged.

          5.      Scientific Inquiry and Research - Each student will be required to research and develop an assessment instrument (see separate attachment)

          6.      A Cultural, Artistic and Global Perspective - Each student will be required to consider gender and cultural factors in all areas of study.

 TOPICS TO BE STUDIED:

         How will course objectives be met?

               Mini lecture, student group presentations, small group discussion, experiential exercises, role plays, guest speakers, case studies,  films and application exercises will be utilized.

 SPECIAL PROJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN COURSE:  Research Papers, Reports,

         Surveys, Projects, Annotated Bibliographies, Other

          The following activities, projects and exercises will be required:

         1.      Group Presentations (explained in classroom)

3.            Research Project

4.            Instrument Development

5.            Literature Review and Critique

6.            Case Study

7.            Application Exercises (explained in classroom)

Research Project (Contains the following four components)

Research Paper.  A research project with a typed paper is required with three documented sources of information.  Each student will select a psychological assessment strategy they want to explore and develop a research paper and presentation regarding their research. Students have found this activity is much easier if an instrument of personal interest is chosen.  One of the sources is required to be the result of an internet search.  Once again, if you have internet or computer phobia, please see me, I will help you with this requirement.   All sources must be cited using the APA format which is available in my library materials. A title page, abstract and reference page are also required. Acceptable papers are 2000 words(approximately 8 pages) in length and are due APRIL 16.

 Critiquing A Journal Article

Read two journal articles, which describe the development of new psychological instruments. Discuss the purpose, intended population, and constructs measured by the instruments. Write a short paper about each article providing your overall evaluation of the development and validation process used in the article. (See Mental Measurements Yearbook, Tests in Print or ERIC for information)

 Assessment Project

Construct and validate a new scale assessing a psychological attribute. First choose a psychological characteristic on which people differ. Then conduct a literature review on that characteristic, learning more about it generally, and about how it has been measured in the past more specifically. Then devise a new assessment device (probably a scale or questionnaire) which you will then administer to a group of people. Using the resulting data, assess reliability and validity (see me). Then write an APA-style report describing the characteristic, previous work on that characteristic, and construction of the scale.

Examples of constructs include the following.

Conservatism/liberalism                                    Sexual commitment

Emotional intensity                                                Agreeableness

Conflict avoidance                                             Emotional expressiveness

Self-negation                                                    Skepticism

Student stress                                                   Political cynicism

Attitude towards recycling                                   Being in Love

Future anxiety                                                   Daydreaming frequency

Nativism/ Empiricism                                            Death concern

Sexual satisfaction                                            Jealousy

Guilt                                                                 Fear of rejection

 Case study

Select three instruments to administer to yourself. Indicate the purpose, reliability, and validity of each instrument. Also include results, conclusions and suggestions in your report. (See me if you do not have access to instruments.)

 Late Assignments: Assignments turned in late will receive a 10% reduction for each day late up to a maximum of 20% per week.

METHODS OF STUDENT EVALUATION

         Tests (How many?  How often?  What type?), Quizzes,  Laboratory Activities, Clinical Experiences.

          Overview of Final Grade:  Your final grade will be determined by the total                 number of points earned from four  exams and your quizzes and or                   exercises and  projects.  Feedback regarding your performance on any                 exam, quiz, or exercise will be provided as soon as possible. 

          Exam and Quiz Content:  All four exams  may contain multiple choice, matching, short answer, essay and critical thinking questions.  Most questions will be related to chapter overview questions.  Short answer questions will come directly from chapter overview questions.  Exams will cover material presented since your last exam with the exception of the final which will be twenty-five percent comprehensive, i.e., twenty-five percent of the final exam will include major information covered during the entire semester. Students will also be responsible for take home essays distributed the week before each exam.

          Make-up Exam: The make-up exam date is one week before the final exam. Students have commented that make-up exams seem to be more difficult than regularly scheduled exams.

          Cheating:  Cheating is unnecessary in this class. I walk around the classroom during exams and also use alternative forms of each test to discourage cheating.  Anyone discovered cheating will receive a 0 on their exam and be reported to the Academic Dean.

Grading Scale:

                  92 - 100% = A

                  84 -   91% = B

                  76 -   83 %= C

                  68 -   75 %= D

               Below 68% = F

 ASSESSMENT OF OUTCOMES:

         What measurements will be used to demonstrate that outcomes have been reached? 

         (Refer to class as a whole, not individual students.)

          Demonstrated application and competencies.

OTHER INFORMATION:

         What additional information will help to clarify the course? 

         Attendance:  Each student is expected to conform to the institution’s attendance policy.  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact your instructor for your assignments.  Prior notification is necessary for absence on an exam date.  Excessive absence may lead to failure in the course. 

         Student Conduct:  Side conversations or other behavior which interferes with the right of others to learn or the right of the instructor to teach will not be permitted.

        Questions: If you need clarification regarding course information or requirements, please contact me. Additional services such as tutoring and counseling are offered.    

          Special Assistance: If you have special learning needs or qualify for accommodations, please talk to me or a representative in the Learning Center.  Students with special needs, or accommodations, etc, are expected to contact the learning center and the instructor well in advance of any announced exam. 

         Withdrawal: The last date for dropping an individual class is Friday, March 16.

         Office Hours: I have office hours on Monday evening from 6:00 until 7:00 and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:45 until 11, you may make an appointment if other times are more convenient.