Psychological testing

SEMESTER AND YEAR OFFERED: 5th semester

COURSE COORDINATOR AND TEAM: Dr. Anoop Kumar Koileri.V

EMAIL OF COURSE COORDINATOR: anoopkoileri[at]aud[dot]ac[dot]in

PRE-REQUISITES: None

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION:

The course will provide students with the skill to measure individual differences on a number of variables using standardized testing material. The ethical and social implications of psychological assessment in different contexts will also be discussed. Such a course will be of immense interest to students to orient them to the use of diagnostic tools and psychometrics in schools, NGOs and other organizational contexts. Psychological testing is also a significant requirement in clinical work. Students will learn about the strengths and limitations of testing, how to administer tests, interpret results and how to report on their findings.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After studying this course students should be able to use the available instruments to determine intelligence, personality, creativity and related variables amongst others. Students will also be acquainted with the preliminary aspects of psychometrics and the discussion around the construct they are learning to measure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MODULES/ MAIN MODULES:

1. Introduction to Psychological Testing: This module will include the introductory concepts and history of Psychological Testing. What is the difference between a lay instrument and a standardized test? What are the features of a test that make it reliable, valid and objective? What are the strengths and limitations of testing? Ethical considerations.

2. Introduction to Intelligence testing: This module will focus on the theories of intelligence and how they have been used to operationalise intelligence. How has the construct of intelligence evolved historically.

3. Introduction to Personality testing: This module will focus on personality theories and the different ways in which personality can be measured.

4. Test administration: Students will learn to administer any two tests from the ones available. Test administration, scoring, interpretation of results, report writing.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS WITH WEIGHTS:

• Class Test 20%
• Mid Term Exam 40%
• End term Wxam 40%

READING LIST:

• Anastasi, A., & Urbina, S. (1997). Psychological testing (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ, US: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education.
• Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Singh, A.K. (2009). Tests, Measurements and Research Methods in Behavioural Sciences. Bharati Bhawan, New Delhi

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE:

• Bryman, A.(2004). Quantity and Quality in Social Research.Routledge.
• Dyer, C. (2001) Research in Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methodology and Statistics (2nd Ed.) Oxford: Blackwell Publishers
• Gregory, R.J. (2006). Psychological Testing: History, Principles, and Applications (4thEd.).New Delhi: Pearson Education.
• Kerlinger, F.N.& Lee, H.B.(1999). Foundations of Behavioural Research. Wadsworth
• Murphy, K.R. & Davidshofer, C. O. (2004). Psychological Testing: Principles & Applications (6thEd.) New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Neuman, W.L. (2006). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches (6thEd.) Boston: Pearson Education.
• Willig, C. (2001). Introducing qualitative research in psychology: Adventures in theory and method. Philadelphia : Open University Press.