Assessment Process

Speed tests

• emphasis on speed

• homogenous

Power tests

• items with varying difficulty

• usually has a time limit

Quantitative assessments

numerical scoring and date

Qualitative assessments

• words pictures

• reconstructive narratives

Rating Scale

subjective estimates of behaviors based on observations

Halo effect

generalizes one aspect of person for all of a person

Error of central tendency

tendency to rate all people as “average”

Leniency error

rating characteristics more favorably than you should

Drift

systemic changes in how variables are interpreted or defined every time

Decay

decreased reliability in how well and even is observed

Semantic differential

assign numbers by priority

Situational tests

perform task similar to the situation the person is being evaluated in

Story circles

group and family counseling where you share stories in response to a prompt

Biographical measures

historical records / past

Lifelines

visual depictions of of life events in chronological order

Deciding to make a change phases

• Contemplation stage

• Preparation stage

• Action stage

• Maintenance

Phases of assessment process

• test selection

• test administration

• test interpretation

• communication of findings

Monitoring and evaluating client progress and outcomes

• what am i measuring

• how will i measure it

• how do i know they’re improving

• does the assessment tool work