Assessment/tests/measures Semantics??

“Definitions” n “Assessment” -- the gathering and integration of psychological-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation, accomplished through the use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies etc.

“testing/tests” -- the process of measuring variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior -- instruments -- tools

“measurement” -- assigning numbers or symbols to characteristics of people or objects according to rules. -- unit of measure

Measure/test/assessment? n You take part in a study designed to measure intelligence and as part of that project you complete an inventory related to your study habits which is administered by the graduate student assigned to the project.

Measure/test/assessment? n You take part in a study designed to measure intelligence and as part of that project you complete an inventory related to your study habits which is then added to the overall data bank by the researcher.

Measure/test/assessment? n You take part in a study designed to measure intellectual ability and as part of that project you complete a set of inventories related to your study habits, your learning style and your course grades. Your resulting profile is then entered into the overall data bank by the researcher.

Assessment Instruments

Defining features of tests n “A sample of behavior… n obtained under standardized conditions…. n with established rules for scoring” n ** has norms or standards n ** used to predict of nontest behavior

11 Characteristics of Tests n Standardized vs. non-standardized n Individual vs. group (administration) n Speed vs. power n Objective vs. subjective n Written vs. oral n Verbal vs. non-verbal

Characteristics of Tests cont…. n Cognitive vs. affective n Achievement vs. aptitude n Timed vs. untimed n Criterion vs. norm referenced n Summative vs. formative

Project assignment 1 Apply the 11 “characteristics of tests” discussed in class to your selected test. List each of the characteristics and identify how each relates to your test. Be sure you explain your answer. If the characteristic does not relate, say so, and say why you think it does not relate. (basically demonstrate that you understand each characteristic)