Psychological Testing: GPS 340

3:20-6:00 P.M. on Wednesday

Fall 2009 *3 Credit Hours

CincinnatiChristianUniversity

Instructor: Gail Rizzo, M.A., P.C.C. Email:

Phone number: cell (513) 376-0230

Text: Drummond, Robert J. Jones, Karyn D.Assessment Procedures for Counselors and Helping Professionals (Sixth Ed.) Pearson, 2006.

CCU MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of CincinnatiChristianUniversity is to teach men and women to live by biblical principles and to equip and empower them with character, skills, insight, and vision to lead the church and to impact society for Christ.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to Psychological Testing with an emphasis on the rationale, development, implementation, and diagnostic functions of psychological testing procedures and the statistical foundation on which these tests are based. Validity and reliability are accentuated throughout the course. Prerequisite: GPS 110

RATIONALE:

In both secular and Christian careers, an understanding of testing methodology and statistical analysis is invaluable. This course will focus on the rationale, development, implementation and diagnostic functions of psychological testing procedures and the statistical foundation on which these tests are based. Emphasis will also be placed on the statistical analysis of sample populations and the accuracy of generalizing to a population. Validity and reliability will be accentuated throughout the course. This information will prepare those students intending to pursue any health profession with the basic information needed to accurately judge the limits of any given test as well as the ability to accurately judge the claims made by others regarding psychological testing. Students will also find this class valuable as they move into careers in business, other sciences, church growth and related fields that rely on statistical inference in their research methods.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The student who satisfactorily completes this course should:

  1. Be able to define the basic terms pertaining to psychological and educational tests.
  2. Be able to explain the relevance of testing in contemporary society.
  3. Be able to explain the relevance of qualitative and quantitative measures such as measures of central tendency, standard deviations, Z scores, percentiles, correlation and regression.
  4. Thoroughly understand the means and necessity of reliability and validity.
  5. Have a general understanding of test construction, selection and administration.
  6. Have a general understanding of a variety of assessments and assessment methods.

GRADING:

Grades will be based on the combined performance on tests, quizzes, in-class

activities and participation, and presentations in the following proportions:

  • Chapter Worksheets 10%--instructor will provide worksheets for each chapter. These must be completed and turned in on the class date that we are going over that chapter.
  • Two Tests: Test #1 (chapters 1-7), Test #2 on final date (chapters 8-17)20% each for total of 40%
  • Assessment Summaries 15%--as we study each assessment and assessment type (week 7, October 7th through the end of the semester), student will turn in a two paragraph summary containing their overview of the assessment and how they think they can utilize this assessment in their vocation
  • Presentation/Paper (5 page) 15% --presentation and five page paper on one of the assessment types we will be studying. Presentation will be on the class meeting date that we discuss that assessment. Assessment topics will be chosen the first day of class.
  • Participation 10%
  • Reading/homework completion 10%

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological or learning disability should request assistance from the Academic Support Director within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office is located in the Lower Level of the Worship and MinistryBuilding (room 153). You may also contact the office by phone (244-8420).

ATTENDANCE POLICY AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

All students will be expected to follow the guidelines in the student handbook.

The Instructor reserves the right to change any part of this document at her discretion. All modifications will be announced in class and/or via Moodle.

Reading assignments and course schedule on next page.

Date / Topic / Chapter in Text
August 26th, 2009 / Intro
September 2nd, 2009 / Statistical Concepts / Chapters 1, 2
September 9th, 2009 / Understanding Test Scores, / Chapter 3
September 16th, 2009 / Validity, Reliability / Chapters 4, 5
September 23rd, 2009 / Process of Testing, Legal/Ethical Issues / Chapters 6, 7
September 30th, 2009 / Test #1
October 7th, 2009 / Ability and Intelligence Testing / Chapter 8
October 14th, 2009 / Aptitude Testing / Chapter 9
October 21st, 2009 / Achievement Testing / Chapter 10
October 28th, 2009 / Career/Employment Testing / Chapter 11
November 4th, 2009 / Personality Testing / Chapter 12
November 11th, 2009 / Clinical Assessment / Chapter 13
November 18th, 2009 / Development Assessment / Chapter 14
November 25th, 2009 / Thanksgiving Break
December 2nd, 2009 / Environmental Assessment / Chapter 15
December 9th, 2009 / Computer in Assessment/Assessment in Diverse Populations / Chapters 16 & 17
December 16th, 2009 / Final Exam