Psychometrics_Psych Studies PSYCH3026

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 3 (SCQF level 9)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

Students will work in small groups to create and evaluate a measurement tool using predominantly quantitative methods, with additional qualitative techniques. Students will generate items to create a tool that measures a psychological construct and is informed by existing literature. Students will then administer their tool and evaluate aspects of its reliability, validity and applicability, and write an independent test manual of these procedures.

Timetable

Four one hour lectures.

Three 2 hour lab sessions.

Online support via Moodle forums (1 hour per week)

Requirements of Entry

A Grade D or better in Psychology 1A and 1B, and 2A and 2B.

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

'Test manual (75%) - 1500 words (end of semester)

INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSION. The test manual resembles a traditional report with some minor variation on presentation of content. Students will produce a test manual that introduces the measurement domain, its theoretical underpinnings, a review of empirical research, and the purpose of creating the measurement tool. The methodological section focuses on test development and evaluation, and includes multiple aspects of quantitative and qualitative psychometrics (e.g. reliability and validity). The last section includes a critical evaluation of the tool, its development and further refinement, as well as applicability and relevance (research and/or clinical practice) of the measure.

 

Project Output: Measurement tool/test (25%) - 750 words (halfway through semester)

GROUP SUBMISSION. Students will submit their test items as well as the iterative process undertaken for their development. Construct definition, rationale, and item generation must be outlined alongside the test items themselves. The usability, relevance, and quality of the measurement tool created by students will be evaluated. The individual items will be evaluated based on how they are informed by the literature and existing measurement tool.'

Course Aims

To work in small groups to create and evaluate a measurement tool using quantitative and qualitative methods.

To critically evaluate the theoretical and statistical underpinnings of psychometrics for both clinical practice and research.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

- Understand the principles of Classical Test Theory, reliability and validity

- Design and generate a measurement tool

- Critically evaluate the relevance, applicability and psychometric properties of a measurement

-Compose and write a test manual to an appropriate level.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.