3 - Ethical Considerations, Standards & Procedures in Assessment

assessment tool

Review all pertinent ethical standards, requires lists of competencies in selecting an __________

trained & competent

Be sure you are well _____ and _____ in the assessment process

psychometric terms

Have a basic understanding of key ______ _____

informed consent

Adopt a philosophy that assessment promotes client welfare.

• Engage in ongoing ______ ___

confidentiality

Review limits of _____ and process with clients who should receive assessment data about them and why.

culturally appropriate

Select assessment tool that are _____ _____ and do not perpetuate client stereotyping

• purpose

• strengths

• limitations

Consider under what conditions clinical diagnosis is necessary.

• Communicate clearly to the client the _____, _____, and _____ of diagnosis.

appropriate, comfortable, organized

Create ____,_____,_____ assessment conditions for the client

True

T OR F.

Avoid using assessment tools that are either outdated or have content or scoring and interpretation methods that are not appropriate for your client

consent

Be sure to disclose results to relevant individuals, with the ____ of clients as ethically required

understand

Confirm that clients ______ any assessment findings

Bases for Assessment Providing expert opinions

• A psychologist conducted a psychological assessment to the Psychology interns of a specific school.

• However, due to his busy schedule, he asked a colleague to give the interpretation to the students.

• Moreover, as the colleague discussed the results of the students, he forgot to inform them the limitations of his opinions since he was not the one that conducted it.

• On the other hand, the colleague still continued and gave implications and specific recommendations to the student.

It is unethical because the colleague provided interpretations and recommendations without personally conducting the assessment or explaining limitations

• violating the principle that opinions must be based on sufficient information and competence.

Bases for Assessment Providing expert opinions:

• A psychologist conducted a psychological assessment to the Psychology interns of a specific school.

• However, due to his busy schedule, he asked a colleague to give the interpretation to the students.

• Moreover, as the colleague discussed the results of the students, he forgot to inform them the limitations of his opinions since he was not the one that conducted it.

• On the other hand, the colleague still continued and gave implications and specific recommendations to the student.

1⃣ Assess the risk carefully (clarify seriousness of the thoughts and safety level)

2⃣ Explain limits of confidentiality

Tell the client: “If your safety is at risk, I am required to inform someone who can help protect you.”
3⃣ Inform parents/guardians or appropriate support persons despite the client’s request
4⃣ Provide immediate support/referral

Case:

The psychologist was asked to give an assessment to an 18-year-old client. During the assessment, there are information that showed alarming signs of suicide from the client that needs to be looked after.

However, the client insisted not to inform his family or else he will visit another doctor. In this case, if you are the psychologist, what will you do?

Assessment Tools

Dr. Claro has a psychological evaluation center. There are assessment tools that she use that is not in original copy because of its high price.

However, she continued to administer these tests despite of her license being at stake.

It is unethical because Dr. Claro uses unauthorized copies of assessment tools, violating copyright laws and professional standards.

• Psychologists must use original, standardized materials to ensure valid results and maintain test security.

Assessment Tools

Dr. Claro has a psychological evaluation center. There are assessment tools that she use that is not in original copy because of its high price.

However, she continued to administer these tests despite of her license being at stake.

Obsolete and Outdated Test Results

XYZ School depends on their guidance office for the admission test result. They later found out that the test materials were outdated and is not age appropriate to the students.

However, the testing was already on-going and seemed impossible to stop.

It is unethical because outdated and age-inappropriate tests produce invalid and inaccurate results.

• Testing should be stopped and replaced with updated, standardized tools.

Obsolete and Outdated Test Results

XYZ School depends on their guidance office for the admission test result. They later found out that the test materials were outdated and is not age appropriate to the students.

However, the testing was already on-going and seemed impossible to stop.

Interpreting Assessment Results

Dr. Amelia is a new psychologist and seemed to be struggling on to what test must be use for a specific client.

In one of her sessions, she gave a test that she made without undergoing it to validity and reliability testing.

With this, she interpreted the result according to her own way of interpreting it even it is not standardized

It is unethical because Dr. Amelia used an unvalidated and unreliable test and interpreted results without standardization.

• must use standardized, valid, and reliable tools to ensure accurate and trustworthy assessments.

Interpreting Assessment Results

Dr. Amelia is a new psychologist and seemed to be struggling on to what test must be use for a specific client.

In one of her sessions, she gave a test that she made without undergoing it to validity and reliability testing.

With this, she interpreted the result according to her own way of interpreting it even it is not standardized

Release of Test Data

A teacher requested from the guidance office to have a look of the individual result of all the students she teaches.

If you are one of the guidance staff, what must be the most appropriate thing to do?

Do not release the individual test results because they are confidential

• Only share information with proper consent or authorized personnel

Release of Test Data

A teacher requested from the guidance office to have a look of the individual result of all the students she teaches.

If you are one of the guidance staff, what must be the most appropriate thing to do?

Explaining Assessment Results

• The employees of CDE company took a psychological test in a local psychological assessment center.

• The test results were only forwarded to the company's human resource office but were not properly presented and explained to them.

• It became the basis of CDE company in selecting employees who will be fired due to cost cutting measures

assessment results were not properly explained to the employees and were used unfairly for termination decisions

• must provide clear feedback, explain results

Explaining Assessment Results

• The employees of CDE company took a psychological test in a local psychological assessment center.

• The test results were only forwarded to the company's human resource office but were not properly presented and explained to them.

• It became the basis of CDE company in selecting employees who will be fired due to cost cutting measures

Test Security

The test materials in the guidance office of XYZ school got wet during its transport since it was only carried by hand without any cover or a bag with it

Poor test security and improper handling of materials.

• Test materials must be properly protected, stored, and transported to prevent damage and maintain test integrity.

Test Security

The test materials in the guidance office of XYZ school got wet during its transport since it was only carried by hand without any cover or a bag with it

Assessment by Unqualified Persons

Due to lack of manpower, the guidance office of XYZ school is being run by teacher designees.

The teacher designees is not knowledgeable of the duties and function of a guidance counselor

• but she conducts the testing in the school because they need it for compliance

Only trained and licensed professionals should administer and interpret psychological tests

Assessment by Unqualified Persons

Due to lack of manpower, the guidance office of XYZ school is being run by teacher designees.

The teacher designees is not knowledgeable of the duties and function of a guidance counselor

• but she conducts the testing in the school because they need it for compliance

Test Construction

Due to cost cutting reasons, the XYZ school makes uses test materials created by their guidance counselors without undergoing psychometric standards

Unethical, Psychological assessments must use standardized, valid, and reliable instruments.

Test Construction

Due to cost cutting reasons, the XYZ school makes uses test materials created by their guidance counselors without undergoing psychometric standards