School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Psychological Assessment
  • Unit Code

    PSY5168
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Elizabeth Ann KACZMAREK

Description

Psychological assessment is a basic function of the professional psychologist and involves the assessment procedures being undertaken to provide data for informed decision making. This unit provides instruction in the major techniques developed for psychological assessment. It includes examination of a range of assessment strategies or approaches as well as a more detailed investigation of a range of psychological tests, their administration, scoring and interpretation. The usefulness of these various assessment approaches and tools will be considered in the context of how they can inform the decision making process given the problems to be solved. The unit includes a compulsory two day intensive residential school where students will further their understanding of psychological assessment and undertake practical sessions involving test administration.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Administer and interpret the restricted psychological tests involved in any assessment and convey the results of the assessment to others involved in the case in such a way that this information leads to informed decision making by those responsible for intervention decisions.
  2. Discuss and evaluate new and existing assessment strategies and instruments from the point of view of measurement theory and be able to choose appropriate procedures from a sound knowledge of instruments and methodologies.
  3. Discuss legal and ethical issues involved in psychological assessment.
  4. Discuss the historical development of psychological assessment.
  5. Identify possible strategies for action based on interpretation and implications of assessment.
  6. Understand the range, objectives and desired outcomes of psychological assessment.

Unit Content

  1. Administration of tests of intellectual functioning including the WISC-IV, WAIS-III, WJIII.
  2. Application of psychological tests including assessment of intellectual functioning, personality, testing in community settings.
  3. History of psychological tests and assessments.
  4. Interpretation and communication of test results.
  5. The conduct of psychological assessment including interviewing, observation and structured data gathering techniques.
  6. The principles of psychological measurement including basic concepts in measurement theory (reliability, validity, etc.).

Additional Learning Experience Information

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts with a compulsory on-campus residential school (Joondalup campus).

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyReport50%
EssayEssay50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PSY5168|2|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Psychological Assessment
  • Unit Code

    PSY5168
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Elizabeth Ann KACZMAREK

Description

Psychological assessment is a basic function of the professional psychologist and involves the assessment procedures being undertaken to provide data for informed decision making. This unit provides instruction in the major techniques developed for psychological assessment. It includes examination of a range of assessment strategies or approaches as well as a more detailed investigation of a range of psychological tests, their administration, scoring and interpretation. The usefulness of these various assessment approaches and tools will be considered in the context of how they can inform the decision making process given the problems to be solved. The unit includes a compulsory two day intensive residential school where students will further their understanding of psychological assessment and undertake practical sessions involving test administration.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Administer and interpret the restricted psychological tests involved in any assessment and convey the results of the assessment to others involved in the case in such a way that this information leads to informed decision making by those responsible for intervention decisions.
  2. Discuss and evaluate new and existing assessment strategies and instruments from the point of view of measurement theory and be able to choose appropriate procedures from a sound knowledge of instruments and methodologies.
  3. Discuss legal and ethical issues involved in psychological assessment.
  4. Discuss the historical development of psychological assessment.
  5. Identify possible strategies for action based on interpretation and implications of assessment.
  6. Understand the range, objectives and desired outcomes of psychological assessment.

Unit Content

  1. Administration of tests of intellectual functioning including the WISC-IV, WAIS-III, WJIII.
  2. Application of psychological tests including assessment of intellectual functioning, personality, testing in community settings.
  3. History of psychological tests and assessments.
  4. Interpretation and communication of test results.
  5. The conduct of psychological assessment including interviewing, observation and structured data gathering techniques.
  6. The principles of psychological measurement including basic concepts in measurement theory (reliability, validity, etc.).

Additional Learning Experience Information

Online delivery supported by discussion groups, study modules and prescribed texts with a compulsory on-campus residential school (Joondalup campus).

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Case StudyReport50%
EssayEssay50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PSY5168|2|2