CA2 - COMPRE

What is psychometrics?

The scientific study of psychological measurement, focusing on test construction, reliability, and validity.

What is reliability?

The consistency or stability of test scores over time or across raters.

What are the types of reliability?

Test–retest, inter-rater, parallel forms, and internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha).

What does a high reliability coefficient indicate?

Low measurement error and consistent results.

What is validity?

The degree to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

What are the three main types of validity?

Content, criterion-related (predictive & concurrent), and construct validity.

What is content validity?

The extent to which test items represent the entire domain of a construct.

What is criterion-related validity?

The extent to which test results correlate with an external criterion.

What is construct validity?

The degree to which a test truly measures the intended theoretical construct.

What is standardization in testing?

Using uniform procedures for test administration, scoring, and interpretation.

What are norms?

Statistical data used as a reference to interpret individual scores.

List the four scales of measurement.

Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio.

What is item analysis?

Evaluating test items for difficulty and discrimination to improve test quality.

What is the formula for an observed score in classical test theory?

Observed score = True score + Error.

What is measurement error?

The difference between an observed score and a person’s true score.

What are the three main research designs in psychological assessment?

Experimental, correlational, and descriptive.

What is the purpose of experimental design?

To establish cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating variables.

What are probability sampling methods?

Random, stratified, and cluster sampling.

What are non-probability sampling methods?

Convenience, purposive, and quota sampling.

What are measures of central tendency?

Mean, median, and mode.

What are measures of variability?

Range, variance, and standard deviation.

What is the 68–95–99.7 rule?

In a normal distribution, 68% of scores lie within 1 SD, 95% within 2 SDs, and 99.7% within 3 SDs.

What is a z-score?

A standardized score showing how many SDs a raw score is from the mean.

What does a correlation coefficient (r) measure?

The strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.

What is regression used for?

Predicting one variable based on another.

What does a p-value indicate?

The probability that results occurred by chance.

Name three main uses of psychological assessment.

Clinical diagnosis, educational placement, and occupational selection.

What are benefits of psychological tests?

Objective measurement, standardized comparison, and evidence-based decision-making.

What are limitations of psychological tests?

Cultural bias, misuse, ethical risks, and response distortion.

What is a major ethical concern in test use?

Misinterpretation of results or violation of confidentiality.

What are key factors in selecting an assessment tool?

Purpose, reliability and validity, practicality, norms, and cultural appropriateness.

What are the main types of assessment methods?

Objective tests, projective tests, behavioral assessments, interviews, and self-reports.

What are examples of objective tests?

MMPI, WAIS, and achievement tests.

What are examples of projective tests?

Rorschach Inkblot Test and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).

Why is cultural appropriateness important in test selection?

To ensure fairness and validity across diverse populations.

What examinee factors affect test selection?

Age, education, literacy, language, and culture.

What is standardization in test administration?

Following consistent instructions and conditions for all examinees.

What should be ensured before testing?

A quiet, comfortable environment and clear instructions.

What are two types of scoring?

Objective and subjective.

What is the main goal of test interpretation?

To make sense of test scores within the examinee’s context.

What should be avoided in interpretation?

Overgeneralizing or labeling based on one test result.

What is the importance of test feedback?

To help clients understand results and implications for growth.

What does ethical usage of test results involve?

Responsible communication and appropriate recommendations.

What are the core ethical principles in psychological testing?

Competence, informed consent, confidentiality, fairness, and test security.

What does competence mean in assessment?

Administering and interpreting only those tests you’re trained to use.

What is informed consent?

Informing clients about the purpose, procedures, and their rights before testing.

What is confidentiality in assessment?

Keeping test data and results private, disclosed only with consent or as required by law.

What is test security?

Protecting test materials from unauthorized access or misuse.

Why must outdated tests not be used?

They may produce invalid or unreliable results.

What are common ethical violations in testing?

Using inappropriate tests, cultural insensitivity, coercion, or lack of consent.

What is the psychologist’s responsibility when uncertain?

Seek supervision or consult ethical guidelines.

What is the difference between reliability and validity?

Reliability = consistency; Validity = accuracy.

Can a test be reliable but not valid?

Yes, a test can consistently measure the wrong construct.

Why is validity more important than reliability?

Because a test must measure the intended construct accurately, not just consistently.

Why are standardized norms crucial in test interpretation?

They allow meaningful comparison of individual scores.