PSY3010 Assessment of Behaviour

Contents

• Staffing
• Requisites
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

REQUISITES

RATIONALE

Assessment of behaviour is central to research in the behavioural sciences and to the practice of psychology. Students could not pursue post-graduate studies, or enter professional practice, without knowledge of the principles underlying psychological assessment, as well as the major techniques of developing, evaluating, and using psychological measures.

SYNOPSIS

This course is divided into two parts. The first part concerns the principles of psychological testing, and topics include ethical practice in testing, theories relevant to psychological testing, test reliability and validity, norms, and how each of these aspects inform the evaluation and use of psychological tests. The second part concerns particular areas of testing such as intelligence, personality, vocational aptitude, and tests of specific functioning, including clinical and forensic, and how these are applied in various practice settings. Students can expect to learn about some of the major tests currently in use, as well as a representative array of tests typifying the above areas.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of psychological assessment, including major theories, statistical foundations, methods of test construction and analysis, and test bias (On-line quizzes);
2. demonstrate an understanding of the professional, ethical, and legal issues affecting psychological assessment in the practice setting (On-line quizzes; Case Report assignment);
3. locate and understand information to evaluate the reliability, validity, and construction methods, of psychological tests and related measures (On-line quizzes);
4. interpret the results of some common psychological tests and measures to a level of mastery approximating that of an entry level psychologist practitioner (Case Report assignment);
5. integrate assessment data and prepare an assessment report to a level of mastery approximating that of an entry level psychologist practitioner (Case Report assignment).

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Gregory, RJ 2007, Psychological testing: history, principles and applications: international edition, 5th edn,
(ISBN: 02005504663)

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

On-line quizzes will be released on the course home page on the first work day of Week 3 for Quiz 1, Week 5 for Quiz 2, and Week 8 for Quiz 3. See assessment section of the Introductory Book for further details.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities scheduled for them (such as lectures, tutorials, and practical work), and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   Not applicable.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   No penalties applied if the required conditions are met as specified in the Introductory Book. If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items.
6. Examination information:
   Not applicable. Students will undertake four (4) on-line quizzes in lieu of a formally supervised written examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations or on-line quizzes for this course will be held during the examination period for the semester of the next offering of this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 27 May 2008.