Student Manual

Student Manual 2016-10-02, 3:59 PM
Student Manual
Site: Faculty of: Humanities and Social Sciences

Course: Psychology 469: Principles of Psychological Assessment (Rev. 2)
Book: Student Manual
Printed by: Sophie Zhang
Date: Sunday, 2 October 2016, 1:59 PM MDT
http://psyc.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=1598 Page 1 of 18
Table of contents
Introduction
Course Materials
Course Structure
Getting Started
Course Contract
Athabasca University Calendar
Course Tutor
Course Coordinator
MyAU Portal
Student Evaluation
Study Schedule
Quiz Instructions
Introduction
Welcome to Psychology 469: Principles of Psychological Assessment. This three-credit course will
provide an introduction to educational and psychometric theory and practice. Issues around test
construction, administration, and interpretation will be examined. This course will provide an
introduction to measurement techniques and a variety of testing tools and instruments used in education
and psychology to assist with decision making. Properties that these tools must have in order to offer
good information, such as reliability and validity, will be examined in detail. Factors that influence
results such as motivation, emotional health, and other background information will be discussed.
Specific testing tools and devices for measuring aptitude, achievement, interest, and others will be
examined.
Special topics will be discussed around testing accommodations for the assessment of persons with
disabilities. Ethical considerations regarding other issues in assessment are examined. A review of the
principles for the development process of test construction is included. Finally, psychological
assessment in practice offers a choice of two units out of a possible five that discuss assessment of
individuals with disabilities, assessment of young children, clinical neuropsychology, health psychology
and health care, and career counselling.
Companies that provide psychological assessment instruments have a process for assessing the level of
material that career practitioners can purchase based on the training of the given practitioner. All test
providers have three levels of users, which are listed in their catalogues or websites under Who may
Purchase Tests.
A level: These instruments are available to anyone.
B level: The purchaser must have a degree and have taken one or more courses in test
interpretation, psychometrics and measurement theory, and educational statistics.
C level: In addition to the requirements of level B, the purchaser must have an advanced degree
(e.g., Master's level) that includes measurement classes.
Please note: This course focuses on B level testing.
This Student Manual that accompanies the course provides the essential information you need to
successfully complete this course. This information includes course materials, course structure and
contract, course evaluation details, a study schedule, and student support information. Detailed
instruction on how to complete the quizzes and the two written assignments are included. Please read
this manual carefully so that you can successfully complete the course. If you have any questions about
the course content, please contact your tutor or the course coordinator.
Course Materials
The course materials for Psychology 469: Principles of Psychological Assessment are listed below
include the items listed below. If any items are missing from your course package, please contact the
Course Materials department at Athabasca University at 780-675-6366 as soon as possible. You may
call Athabasca University, toll free, from anywhere in Canada or the United States at 1-800-788-9041.
Choose option 3 from the main menu, and then enter extension 6366 to be connected with the Materials
Management Department. Alternatively, you may also send an email message to cmat@athabascau.ca
or write in care of Course Materials, Tim Byrne Centre, 4001 Highway 2 South, Athabasca, AB T9S
1A4 Canada.
Textbook
Thorndike, R. M., & Thorndike-Christ, T. (2010). Measurement and evaluation in psychology and
education (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson / Merrill Prentice Hall.
Reading File
Goh, D. S. (2004). Assessment Accommodations for Diverse Learners. Toronto, ON: Pearson
Education.
Chapter 3: Professional Uses of Testing Accommodations.
Murphy, K. R., & Davidshofer, C. O. (2005). Psychological testing principles and applications (6th
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Chapter 18: Test and Educational Decisions
McLoughlin, J., & Lewis, R. (2005). Assessing students with special needs (6th ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson / Merrill Prentice Hall.
Chapter 17: Assessment for Transition Education and Planning
Salvia, J., & Ysseldyke, J. (2007). Assessment in special and inclusive education (10th ed.). Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
Chapter 25: Assessment of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Nietzel, M., Bernstein, D., Kramer, G., & Milich, R. (2003). Introduction to clinical psychology (6th
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Chapter 12: Clinical Neuropsychology
Kaplan, R. M., & Saccuzzo, D. P. (2005). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, and issues
(6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Chapter 17: Testing in Health Psychology and Health Care
Osborn, D. S., & Zunker, D. (2006). Using assessment results for career development (7th ed.). Pacific
Grove, CA: Wadsworth.
pp. 37: "Use of Assessment Results"

pp. 1524: "Rationale" to end of Step 5, "Make a Decision"
pp. 7881: "Sex Bias and Sex Fairness in Interest Assessment" to end of "Interpreting Interest
Inventories"
pp. 141145: "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator"
p. 176: "Using Value Inventories" (Omit the second last paragraph on p. 176 that begins with In this
chapter)
p. 190: "Using Career Development Inventories"
pp. 212222: "Using Card Sorts in Career Guidance"
pp. 228229: "Computer-Assisted Career Guidance and Online Assessments"
pp. 248253: "Using Assessment for People with Disabilities and the Academically Disadvantaged"
pp. 278283: "Using Nonstandardized Self-Assessment Inventories"
Athabasca University Materials
Online Student Manual

Online Study Guide
Online Quizzes
Online Assignment Drop Boxes
Reading File (print)
Other Materials
Library Supplementary Reading for Unit 16E

Test Library
Course Structure
Part 1. Technical Issues
Unit 1 Fundamental Issues in Measurement

Unit 2 Measurement and Numbers
Unit 3 Giving Meaning to Scores
Unit 4 Qualities Desired in Any Measurement Procedure: Reliability
Unit 5 Qualities Desired in Any Measurement Procedure: Validity
Unit 6 Practical Issues Related to Testing
Quiz 1
Part 2. Testing Applications
Unit 7 Assessment and Educational Decision Making

Unit 8 Ethics and Issues in Assessment
Unit 9 Principles of Test Development
Unit 10 Performance and Product Evaluation
Unit 11 Attitudes and Rating Scales
Unit 12 Aptitude Tests
Quiz 2
Unit 13 Standardized Achievement Tests

Unit 14 Interests, Personality, and Adjustment
Unit 15 Testing Accommodations
Part 3. Practical Applications
Unit 16 Psychological Assessment in Practice
Choose two units from the following:
Unit 16A Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities

Unit 16B Assessment of Young Children
Unit 16C Clinical Neuropsychology
Unit 16D Health Psychology and Health Care
Unit 16E Career Counselling

Quiz 3
Assignment 1 - Test Review
Assignment 2 - Case Study Project
Getting Started
Read through the Student Manual thoroughly to understand the process for completing the course. Look
over all of the other materials from your course package. When you are ready to begin the course,
follow these steps.
1. Read the overviews provided in the Study Guide for each unit to introduce you to the technical
language and concepts examined in each unit. Read over the introductions for each chapter in the
Thorndike textbook.
2. Survey the key terms and concepts for the unit you are working on. Look up the definitions of any
unfamiliar terms as you work through each unit.
3. Review the unit learning objectives before you do the reading assignment for that unit. This
practice will help you focus on and retain the significant parts of the materials.
4. Complete the reading for each unit and answer the questions in the Study Process section. Contact
your tutor if you have any difficulties with the questions or the course content.
5. Complete the three quizzes at their designated times (see the Study Schedule). You may take the
quiz online, following the instructions given in the Quiz Instructions section of the Student
Manual, or you may phone your tutor and take the quiz over the telephone.
Course Contract
Psychology 469: Principles of Psychological Assessment is a three-credit course, and is equivalent to a
one-semester course at a conventional university. It is offered in two delivery modes: grouped-study and
individualized-study. The individualized-study version of the course is normally open to students
throughout the year, whereas the grouped-study version is only available at certain fixed start dates and
may not be offered every year. There are important differences between the course contracts given to
students in the grouped-study mode as opposed to students in the individualized-study mode.
Grouped-study mode: The grouped-study version of Psychology 469, usually a seminar offering of the
course, follows the timelines associated with a traditional university semester. For example, students
who begin the course in September will finish it in December. Students in this version therefore receive
a four-month course contract, and are subject to the regulations governing grouped-study courses that
are detailed in the Athabasca University Calendar.
Individualized-study mode: Students in the individualized-study version of the course are given the
flexibility to determine their own timelines for completing it within the six-month course contract
period. Nonetheless, they are encouraged to follow the study schedule that is included in this Student
Manual. Students who do so will have no difficulty in completing the course requirements within the
six-month contract period. However, students who find themselves running short of time may purchase
an extension to their course contract.
Please note that students in the individualized-study version of the course who are receiving funding
from the Student Finance Board may be required to complete their studies in a shortened time frame. If
you are receiving funding from any source, please check the details of your obligations and adjust your
personal study schedule accordingly.
Applying for extensions: If you are unable to complete this course within the six-month course
contract period, you may apply for and purchase an extension. Note that extension request forms must
be received by the Office of the Registrar a minimum of one month before your course contract end
date. Consult the online Athabasca University Calendar for more information on obtaining extensions.
Athabasca University Calendar

Athabasca University's policies, practices, and procedures change over time, which means that some of
the information in this Student Manual may lose its currency between course revisions. You are
therefore advised to refer to the current Athabasca University Calendar on important issues concerning
the University's policies, practices, and procedures. In the event of any discrepancy between the printed
version of the Calendar and the official Web-based Calendar, the Web-based version will be binding.
Course Tutor
An important person in an Athabasca University course is the course tutor. The name, telephone
number, and email and postal addresses for your tutor for this course are provided in the tutor letter. If
you have chosen to have your Athabasca University letters printed and mailed to you, you will receive
your tutor letter through Canada Post. If you have chosen the AU e-letter delivery method for your
letters, you will need to access this letter online from your myAU student portal. E-letters do not arrive
via email. It is your responsibility to check your e-letters on a regular basis. Read through the e-letter
information provided on your myAU portal to be certain that you understand how to access your tutor
letter.
Regardless of the method you have chosen to receive the tutor letter, if you do not receive your tutor
letter before your contracted start date, please contact Learning Services Tutorial by calling 1-800-788-
9041 (ext. 6196) or 1-780-675-6196 as soon as possible. You may also contact Learning Services
Tutorial by sending an email message to tutserv@athabascau.ca.
Your tutor is an expert in the field of special education and is committed to helping Athabasca
University students learn at a distance. In addition to being available to answer your questions about
course content and procedures, your tutor will grade the unit quizzes, help you arrange and stay on a
study schedule, and discuss your plans for the written assignments. In general, you should call your
tutor first with any queries about the coursehe or she is your first line of contact with the University.
The tutor letter will help you become acquainted with your tutor and will provide information on your
tutors schedule. If you have not yet received a call from your tutor, do not hesitate to make the first call
yourself. If you live in Canada or the United States, you may call your tutor, toll free, during his or her
tutoring hours, following the information provided in the tutor letter. If you live outside of Canada or
the United States, please refer to the tutor letter and the current Athabasca University Calendar for
information on calling your tutor. You may find it useful to schedule a regular study period when your
tutor is available so that you can call him or her when questions arise. If you are unable to take
advantage of the regular tutoring hours, contact your tutor or the course coordinator to determine
whether alternative arrangements can be made.
You are advised to call your tutor as soon as you receive the course materials, and then get into the habit
of phoning regularly, either when you finish a unit, or when you run into any special problem. Students
who keep in regular contact with their tutors are most likely to be successful in completing their
courses, so do keep in touch.
You will be submitting your assignments to your tutor in Assignment Drop Boxes. Your tutor will mark
your assignment and return it to the Assignment Drop Box where you will retrieve it.
Keep your tutor's letter of introduction with your course materials, and for quick reference use the space
provided below to record information on your tutor.
Tutor's name: ____________________________________
Postal address: ____________________________________
Email address: ____________________________________
Telephone number: ____________________________________
Tutoring days and hours: ____________________________________
In contacts with your tutor, on an assignment, or in any correspondence or other contact with the
University, you are asked to provide your student ID number. Your student ID number will assist in
processing requests, grades, and administrative matters more quickly.
Student ID number: ____________________________________
The personal information and records collected and maintained by the University as a result of a
student's registration in this course, such as completed assignments and examinations, electronic
communications, and correspondence, are subject to University policies and the privacy and access
provisions of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Course Coordinator
At Athabasca University, the course coordinator is usually the academic staff member who is in charge
of the course. The coordinator works directly with tutors on both academic and administrative matters.
If you have difficulties you cannot resolve with your tutor's help, you may wish to speak with the
coordinator directly. The coordinator should be contacted regarding credit records and can provide
general information about program planning and curriculum development. The course coordinator
welcomes students' comments on the course.
MyAU Portal
MyAU is a personalized portal to the University where information that is relevant to you may be
accessed quickly. Through myAU, you can view personal information, such as your AU Library
account, and your assignment marks and course grades. You may also take care of administrative
matters, such as booking exams, submitting assignments, applying for extensions, and registering for
courses. Athabasca University will also communicate directly with you through myAU. Check the
Message Centre on your myAU home page for general information and for mail addressed specifically
to you.
To login at http://my.athabascau.ca/, enter your student ID number and password where requested. If
you are having browser difficulties or you need help, refer to myAU Help at
http://www.athabascau.ca/uportal/help/index.php. Your myAU username and password will enable
access to all Psychology 469 online course materials.
Student Evaluation
Your final grade in Psychology 469: Principles of Psychological Assessment is based on your
performance on the three quizzes, a test review assignment, and a case study project. To receive credit
for the course, you must complete all course quizzes and assignments, and you must receive a minimum
grade of 50% on each assignment.
Assignments for Credit Weighting Due Date
Quiz 1 (Units 1-6) 10% As indicated in the

Quiz 2 (Units 7-12) 10% Course Structure and the
Quiz 3 (Units 13-16) Study Schedule
10%
Assignment Test Review 35%
Assignment Case Study Project 35%
Total 100%
Study Schedule
Weeks Study Activities
Weeks Part 1. Technical Issues

1-6
Read through the Student Manual and contact your tutor to make initial contact if he
or she has not already called you.
Look over the course materials and read the preface to the textbook.
Complete the study activities for Unit 1: Fundamental Issues in Measurement.
Complete the study activities for Unit 2: Measurement and Numbers.
Complete the study activities for Unit 3: Giving Meaning to Scores.
Complete the study activities for Unit 4: Qualities Desired in Any Measurement
Procedure: Reliability.
Complete the study activities for Unit 5: Qualities Desired in Any Measurement
Procedure: Validity.
Complete the study activities for Unit 6: Practical Issues Related to Testing.
Review the units in this section in preparation for the first quiz. Prepare study notes
from the textbook, review your answers to the study questions, and have these answers
available. The quiz will have multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Quiz
comprises 10% of your final grade.
Take Quiz 1, following the instructions in the Student Manual.
Weeks Part 2: Testing Applications

7-12
Complete the study activities for Unit 7: Assessment and Educational Decision
Making.
Complete the study activities for Unit 8: Ethics and Issues in Assessment.
Complete the study activities for Unit 9: Principles of Test Development.
Complete the study activities for Unit 10: Performance and Product Evaluation.
Complete the study activities for Unit 11: Attitudes and Rating Scales.
Complete the study activities for Unit 12: Aptitude Tests.
Review the units in this section in preparation for the second quiz. Prepare study notes
from the textbook, review your answers to the study questions, and have these answers
available. The quiz will have multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Quiz 2
comprises 10% of your final grade.
Take Quiz 2, following the instructions in the Student Manual.
Weeks
13-15
Complete the study activities for Unit 13: Standardized Achievement Tests.
Complete the study activities for Unit 14: Interests, Personality, and Adjustment.
Complete the study activities for Unit 15: Testing Accommodations.
Weeks Part 3: Practical Applications

16-17
Select two units you will complete for Part 3 of the course.
Complete the study activities for Unit 16A: Assessment of Individuals with
Disabilities AND/OR
Complete the study activities for Unit 16B: Assessment of Young Children AND/OR
Complete the study activities for Unit 16C: Clinical Neuropsychology AND/OR
Complete the study activities for Unit 16D: Health Psychology and Health Care
AND/OR
Complete the study activities for Unit 16E: Career Counselling.
Review the units in this section in preparation for the third and final quiz. Prepare
study notes from the textbook, review all your answers to the study questions, and
have these answers available. The quiz will have multiple-choice and short-answer
questions. Quiz 3 comprises 10% of your final grade.
Take Quiz 3 following the instructions in the Student Manual.
Weeks Assignment 1: Test Review

18-20
Complete the first assignment (Test Review) according to the instructions in the
Student Manual. Submit the test review to your tutor for grading and feedback in the
appropriate online Assignment Drop Box. This assignment comprises 35% of your
final grade.
Weeks Assignment 2: Case Study Project

21-23
Complete the second assignment (Case Study Project) according to the instructions in
the Student Manual. Submit the case study project to your tutor for grading and
feedback in the appropriate online Assignment Drop Box. This assignment comprises
35% of your final grade.
Congratulations on completing the course!
Quiz Instructions
Date due: After you have completed each section of the course as indicated below. The quizzes cover
the following units:
Quiz 1: Units 1-6

Quiz 2: Units 7-12
Quiz 3: Units 13-15 and two units from Units 16A to 16E
Weighting: Each quiz is worth 10%, for a total of 30% of your final grade for the course.
Instructions: Each quiz consists of two parts: 10 multiple-choice questions and two or three short-
answer questions. The questions are not identified in advance. There are two forms for each quiz. If you
wish to improve your grade, you may complete the second form of the quiz. The multiple-choice and
short-answer questions for the second form will be different from those for the first form. If you
complete a second form of the quiz, then the mark obtained on the second form will be the grade
recorded for the quiz. You must complete all units in the section related to the quiz prior to attempting
the quiz.
Telephone quiz method: Contact your tutor during her or his telephone availability time to complete
the quiz or schedule a time to complete it on the telephone.
Online quiz method: You can access the quiz online at any time. To do so, go to the course website and
click on Quizzes, which is listed in the main section (middle block) of the course. You will be asked
to select your tutors name and then answer the questions selected. When you click on submit, the
multiple-choice questions will be marked immediately, and the quiz will be electronically forwarded to
your tutor. Your tutor will grade your short-answer questions and contact you with feedback on your
performance on the quiz. You will have up to three hours to complete the quiz online, though you can
expect to complete it in far less than three hours.

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Student Manual 2016-10-02, 3:59 PM

Site: Faculty of: Humanities and Social Sciences

A level: These instruments are available to anyone.

Please note: This course focuses on B level testing.

Chapter 3: Professional Uses of Testing Accommodations.

Chapter 18: Test and Educational Decisions

Chapter 17: Assessment for Transition Education and Planning

Chapter 25: Assessment of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Chapter 12: Clinical Neuropsychology

Chapter 17: Testing in Health Psychology and Health Care

pp. 37: "Use of Assessment Results"

Athabasca University Materials

Online Student Manual

Library Supplementary Reading for Unit 16E

Unit 1 Fundamental Issues in Measurement

Part 2. Testing Applications

Unit 7 Assessment and Educational Decision Making

Unit 13 Standardized Achievement Tests

Part 3. Practical Applications

Unit 16 Psychological Assessment in Practice

Choose two units from the following:

Unit 16A Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities

Unit 16E Career Counselling

Assignment 1 - Test Review

Assignment 2 - Case Study Project

Athabasca University Calendar

Tutor's name: ____________________________________

Postal address: ____________________________________

Email address: ____________________________________

Telephone number: ____________________________________

Tutoring days and hours: ____________________________________

Student ID number: ____________________________________

Assignments for Credit Weighting Due Date

Quiz 1 (Units 1-6) 10% As indicated in the

Assignment Test Review 35%

Assignment Case Study Project 35%

Weeks Part 1. Technical Issues

Weeks Part 2: Testing Applications

Complete the study activities for Unit 15: Testing Accommodations.

Weeks Part 3: Practical Applications

Weeks Assignment 1: Test Review

Weeks Assignment 2: Case Study Project

Congratulations on completing the course!

Quiz 1: Units 1-6

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