LESSON #1: NATURE AND USE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS AND TESTS

Assessment

Process by which counselors gather the information they need to form a holistic view of their clients and the problems with which they present.

Assessment

Process that integrates test information with information from other sources (e.g. Information from other tests, individual’s social, educational, employment, health, or psychological history).

Assessment

Any of a variety of procedures used to obtain information about student performance

Psychological Assessment

Process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior

Psychological Assessment

Gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation

Psychological Assessment

Accomplished through use of tools–tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observations, and specifically designed apparatuses, and measurement procedures (Cohen, Swerdlik, Sturman, 2013)

Measurement

Process of obtaining a numerical description of the degree to which an individual possesses a particular characteristic

Test

Instrument or systematic procedure for measuring a sample of behavior by posing a set of questions in a uniform manner

Test

Measurement device or technique used to quantify behavior or aid in the understanding and prediction of behavior (Kaplan and Saccuzzo, 2001)

Evaluation

General process of making judgments and decisions

Testing (Process)

Individual or group in nature

Testing (Process)

Tester will add up “the number of correct answers or the number of certain types of responses, with little if any regard, for the how or mechanics of such content

Assessment (Process)

Typically individualized

Assessment (Process)

Focuses more on individual processes rather than simply the results of that processing

Testing (Role of Evaluator)

Tester is not key to the process

Testing (Role of Evaluator)

One tester may be substituted for another tester without appreciably affecting the situation

Assessment (Role of Evaluator)

Assessor is key to the process of selecting tests and/or other tools of evaluation as well as in drawing conclusions from the entire evaluation

Testing (Objective)

Typically, to obtain some gauge, usually numerical in nature, with regard to an ability or attribute

Assessment (Objective)

Typically, to answer a referral question, solve a problem, or arrive at a decision through the use of tools of evaluation

Testing (Skills of Evaluator)

Typically requires technician-like skills in terms of administering and scoring a test as well as in interpreting a test result

Assessment (Skills of Evaluator)

Typically requires an educated selection of tools of evaluation, skills in evaluation, and thoughtful organization and integration of data

Testing (Outcome)

Yields a test score or series of test scores

Assessment (Outcome)

Entails a logical problem-solving approach that brings to bear many sources of data designed to shed light on a referral question