Psychological Testing (PSYCH 149) Syllabus Psychological Testing (PSYCH 149) is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:45 a.m. 12:50 p.m., in Science 2, Room 107. This 4-unit course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the principles of psychological testing. Through both didactic instruction and hands-on experience, students will learn about the history, development, theories, and applications of the process of psychological testing and assessment. It is extremely important for students to be aware that this class alone will not qualify students to competently or ethically administer and interpret psychological tests. Rather, the focus of the course is on the acquisition of knowledge related to test theory and test construction that will allow students to evaluate critically the tests considered in the course and those that are currently in use in the field of psychological testing. Syllabus for Psychological Testing Spring 2007 California State University, Fresno Classroom Location: S2, Room 107 Instructor ame: Sundé M. Nesbit, Ph.D. Units: 4 credits Instructor Room: S2, Room #330 Time: Mon, Wed, and Fri, 11:45-12:50 e-mail: snesbit@csufresno.edu Telephone: 278-5471 Office Hrs: Mon, Wed, & Fri 9:00-10:20 (also by appointment)
Course Goals and Primary Learning Outcomes The general goals of this course are to introduce students to the nature, benefits, and limitations of the field of psychological testing. Once this course is completed, students are expected to be able to: Be thoroughly familiar with basic psychometric concepts and formulas, and be able to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of any published psychological test. Be familiar with the psychometric and clinical characteristics of the most important and widely used psychological tests. Be familiar with the various theoretical, ethical, and professional issues related to psychological assessment. Be familiar with issues surrounding important controversies related to aspects of the field, such as intelligence and projective testing. Know the limits of and dangers inherent in psychological measurement. Prerequisites Psychology major or minor status. Students are also expected to have foundations in basic writing and critical thinking skills prior to enrolling in this course. Students are also expected to have taken PSYCH 42 (Introductory Statistics) prior to enrolling in this course. Students who are having difficulty completing writing assignments may want to seek additional assistance from the C.S.U., Fresno Writing Center (http://www.csufresno.edu/writingcenter/). What You Will Need for this Course Cohen, R. J., & Swerdlik, M. E. (2005). Psychological Testing and Assessment, 6 th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Also, I highly recommend getting the supplemental book (Exercises in Psychological Testing and Assessment). This book is available for purchase through the Kennel Bookstore located on campus. Students will also need to have access to this course online through the Blackboard system (http://blackboard.csufresno.edu/webapps/login/). If you have been officially enrolled in this class, then you should have access to this course by the end of the first week of class (or as noted by the professor). If you do not have access, then please let me know. Class Format Classes will be in seminar style; therefore, students are expected to come to class having read the assigned chapters and prepared for class discussion. Although there will be some lecture in this class, there will also be films, experiments, demonstrations, guest presentations, and expected class participation in discussion. There will also be a group project assigned in this class (see details below), and all students are expected to contribute to these projects. Examinations There will be three quizzes in this class. All quizzes are multiple choice questions designed to measure each student s knowledge, understanding, and application of textbook, lecture, and handout material. Each quiz is worth 50 points. They are scheduled at various points in the first half of the semester, as indicated by the course schedule (noted at the end of the syllabus).
There will be no makeup quizzes in this class, and missed quizzes will be counted as a zero. The only exceptions to this rule are the following: (1) a medical problem, which requires a note signed by the attending physician that includes the physician s telephone number; (2) mandatory attendance at a C.S.U., Fresno-sanctioned event, which requires you to notify me 48 hours before the exam and also requires a note signed by the sponsoring coach or faculty member; or (3) a death in the family, which requires verification and/or notification in advance. It is up to the discretion of the professor whether makeup quizzes will be granted. Class Attendance and Participation Class participation is required in this class. Therefore, students are expected to attend each class, and will receive points for participation in class. There will be 102 points designated for participation and attendance throughout the semester, and will be doled out at the discretion of the professor. Class Exercises There will be six in-class formal exercises assigned during the first half of this semester. Each of these exercises will be assigned during classes; although they are noted on the class schedule, they are subject to date changes. Each assignment will be worth 10 points. Test Development Project Students will be expected to complete a Test Development Project (TDP) during the second half of the semester. The TDP will ultimately consist of a final paper that is due on Wednesday, May 16, by 5:00 p.m. The TDP is a group project. Research of the topic and development of the test will be a group effort. A group grade will be received for the paper, although there will be means taken to ensure that each student receives an appropriate grade adjustment based on their contribution to the project. Papers will include an APA style (please see the professor if you need help with this) title page and reference page with at least six resources. The body of the paper should include the following three headings, and each section should address the questions beneath the headings: History and Conceptualization How has your concept been tested in the past? What is your test designed to measure? Who is your test designed for? Test Construction, Tryout, and Analysis How did you develop your items? How were the items scaled? How were they scored? What were the characteristics of your tryout/pilot sample? How did you establish item discrimination? How did you establish reliability and validity of your test? Use and Scope How will your test be used? What would the results of your test tell us about the testtaker? Who will take your test? As the second half of the semester will be devoted to completion of the TDP, various steps toward completion of this project will be assigned due dates and will be worth points. These steps include:
Submission of a topic idea, and group member assignments (TDP Step #1) Submission of a reference list, in order to obtain background information on the topic of interest (TDP Step #2) Submission of 5-10 items that the group has determined adequately test the topic of interest (TDP Step #3) Five (5) tryout/pilot subjects having completed the class questionnaire (including each group s items) (TDP Step #4) Completion of worksheet evaluating general statistics on items (TDP Step #5) Completion of worksheet evaluating reliability estimates on items (TDP Step #6) Completion of worksheet evaluating validity estimates on items (TDP Step #7) Grading Grades will be assigned on the basis of the following criteria: Three quizzes (50 points each, 150 points total); class participation (102 points total); class assignments (10 points each, 50 points total); TDP step assignments (14 points each, 98 points total); and the TDP final paper (200 points). The total possible score for the class is 600 points. Course grades will be calculated as a percentage, by the number of points earned in the class divided by 600 (then multiplied by 100). Course grades will then be assigned as follows: A 90% - 100% B 80% - 89% C 70% - 79% D 60% - 69% F under 60% Grades will be rounded up to the nearest whole number in order to determine the assignment of course grades. For example, if a student receives an 89.51% in the course, then they will receive an A for this course. If the student receives an 89.49% in the course, then this constitutes a B for the course. o exceptions will be made with this grading policy. Course Policies Deadlines. Deadlines are firm. Extensions for assignments and/or exams will only be granted in cases of extenuating circumstances. All work must be completed by the end of the course or the student will receive an F for the course. Policy on Lecture otes. I do not supply lecture notes. If you have to miss class, arrange for someone to take notes for you. University Policies Students with Disabilities. Students with documented disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss these needs with me during the first two weeks of class. Students should also contact Services to Students with Disabilities (278-2811). Honor Code. Members of the C.S.U., Fresno academic community (including students and faculty) must adhere to the principles of academic integrity and mutual respect while engaged in university work and related activities. Students are expected to abide by the C.S.U., Fresno Honor Code. This includes: Understanding and seeking clarification about expectations for academic integrity in this course (this includes no cheating, plagiarism, and inappropriate collaboration).
Neither giving nor receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or other course work that is used by the instructor as the basis of grading. Taking responsibility to monitor academic dishonesty in any form and to report it to the instructor or other appropriate official for action. Any violation of this will be dealt with according to university procedures. Cheating and Plagiarism. Academic dishonesty in any form (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, lying) will result in an F for the course. Moreover, all cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean and could potentially result in expulsion from the university. SO DO T DO IT!!! For more information on the University s policy regarding cheating and plagiarism, refer to the Class Schedule (Legal Notices on Cheating and Plagiarism) or the University Catalog (Policies and Regulations). You may also refer to: http://academicaffairs.csufresno.edu/assocprovost/requiredsyllabuspolicystatements.htm. Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving one's grade or obtaining course credit; such acts also include assisting another student to do so. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. However, it is the intent of this definition that the term 'cheating' not be limited to examination situations only, but that it include any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by fraudulent or deceptive means. Plagiarism is the act of presenting the ideas, words, or other intellectual property of another as one s own. The use of other people s work must be properly acknowledged and referenced in all written material. The use of material without acknowledgment is an offense. Bear in mind that allowing another to copy one s work is an academic offense just as is copying from someone else. Furthermore, submitting the same paper for two courses without arrangement is also an academic offense. Use of Computers. All students are expected to have his/her own computer or have personal access to a workstation, along with a modem, a printer, and all recommended software. It is expected that you will have 24-hour access to a computer workstation and the necessary communication links to the University s information resources. Disruptive Behavior. The classroom is a special environment in which students and faculty come together to promote learning and growth. It is essential to this learning environment that respect for the right of others seeking to learn, respect for the professionalism of the instructor, and the general goals of academic freedom are maintained. Student behavior that disrupts the classroom will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior includes speech and behavior that are clearly disrespectful of either the instructor or other students. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, physically or verbally abusive behavior, interruptions of the instructor or other students, failure to adhere to the instructor s rules or instructions, vulgar or obscene language, clear disregard by the student of the instructor s lecture (such as reading a newspaper or writing personal notes to other classmates), slurs and other forms of intimidation. As the instructor, it is my responsibility to inform the chair in Psychology and the Dean of Science and Mathematics of any incident of disruptive classroom behavior. Student conduct which disrupts the learning process will not be tolerated, and may lead to disciplinary action and/or removal from the classroom. University Copyright Policy. Please refer to www.lib.csufresno.edu/extra/copyright/ for information regarding copyright and fair use policies held by C.S.U., Fresno.
Tentative Course Schedule 1 Day Date Assignment Chapter(s) 2 Supplements Wednesday 01/17 Introduction to class Friday 01/19 Introduction to Testing 1 Monday 01/22 History of Psychological Testing 2 (pages 31-37) Wednesday 01/24 History, Ethics 2 (pages 45- Ethics Code 60) Friday 01/26 Ethics 2 *Exercise #1 Monday 01/29 Assumptions About Testing 4 Campbell & Fiske (1959) Wednesday 01/31 Assumptions, Statistics Review 3,4 Friday 02/02 Statistics Review 3 *Exercise #2 Monday 02/05 QUIZ #1 Wednesday 02/07 Personality Assessment 11 (pages 335-355) Friday 02/09 Personality Assessment 11 Monday 02/12 Methods of Personality Assessment- Projectives 12 (pages 378-401) Wednesday 02/14 Methods of Personality Assessment- Objectives 11,12 (pages 361-370, 376-377, 402-414) Friday 02/16 Methods of Personality Assessment 12 *Exercise #3 Monday 02/19 PRESIDE T S DAY- O CLASS Wednesday 02/21 Clinical and Counseling Assessment 13 (pages 419-435) Friday 02/23 Clinical and Counseling Assessment *Exercise #4 Monday 02/26 QUIZ #2 Wednesday 02/28 Neuropsychological Assessment 14 Friday 03/02 TBA Monday 03/05 Intelligence 8 Wednesday 03/07 Intelligence, Methods of Intelligence Assessment Friday 03/09 Methods of Intelligence Assessment *Exercise #5 13 (pages 419-435) 8,9 9
Monday 03/12 Educational Assessment 10 Wednesday 03/14 Forensic Assessment 13 (pages 436-451) Friday 03/16 Assessment of People with Disabilities *Exercise #6 15 Monday 03/19 QUIZ #3 Wednesday 03/21 Topic Ideas *TDP Step #1 due in class Friday 03/23 Literature Review Monday 03/26 Create Items *TDP Step #2 due by beginning of class Wednesday 03/28 Create Items *TDP Step #3 due by 5:00 p.m. Friday 03/30 CAESAR CHAVEZ DAY- O CLASS Monday 04/02 SPRI G BREAK- O CLASS Wednesday 04/04 SPRI G BREAK- O CLASS Friday 04/06 SPRI G BREAK- O CLASS Monday 04/09 TBA Wednesday 04/11 Enter data *TDP Step #4 due by beginning of class 7 (pages 190-193) 7 (pages 194-212) 7 (pages 194-212) Friday 04/13 Statistics Review 3 Monday 04/16 Item Analysis 7 (pages 211-224) Wednesday 04/18 Item Analysis 7 (pages 211-224) Friday 04/20 TBA *TDP Step #5 due in class Monday 04/23 Reliability 5 Wednesday 04/25 Reliability 5 Friday 04/27 Reliability 5 *TDP Step #6 due in class Monday 04/30 Validity 6 Wednesday 05/02 Validity 6 Friday 05/04 Validity 6 *TDP Step #7 due in class Monday 05/07 Writing Day Wednesday 05/09 Writing Day Friday 05/11 CO SULTATIO DAY 3 Wednesday 05/16 TDP Paper due by 3:15 p.m. 1 This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are absent from this class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent. 2 It is expected that students will have read the assigned chapters prior to attending class, unless noted otherwise by the professor. 3 The professor will be available during class time in her office for consultation. Any other times for consultation during the Spring 2007 semester consultation days (held on Thursday, May 10, and Friday, May 11) will be held either by appointment or as announced in class.