MODULE 4: OF TEST AND TESTING

Psychological Trait

it refers to any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one individual varies from another.

Example: intelligence, specific intellectual abilities, cognitive style, adjustment, interests, attitudes, sexual orientation and preferences, psychopathology

Psychological states

temporary conditions or emotions that can fluctuate depending on the situation, such as feeling happy.

Constructs

scientific concepts or qualities that are not directly observable but are inferred from behavior and measured through test or assessments.

We can't see, hear, or touch it, but we can infer their existence from overt behavior, such as test scores

Probability sampling

a sampling method where every member of the population has a known and equal chance of being selected, ensuring that the sample is statistically representative of the population.

Simple Random Sampling

in this method every individual in the population is randomly selected

Systematic Sampling

in this method, Individuals are selected at regular intervals from a list, such as choosing every 10th name on a roster.

Stratified Sampling

In this method, the population is divided into subgroups (strata) based on characteristics (e.g., age, gender), and a random sample is taken from each group.

Cluster Sampling

In this method, existing groups are randomly selected and all individuals within those clusters are taken.

Non-Probability Sampling

a sampling method where NOT all members have a known or equal chance of being included

Convenience Sampling

In this method, participants are selected based on their availability or ease of access, such as surveying students in a nearby classroom.

Purposive Sampling

In this method, participants are chosen based on the researcher's judgment about who will provide the most useful or relevant data.

Snowball Sampling

In this method, existing participants refer or recruit additional participants, often used in studying hard-to-reach populations.

Quota Sampling

In this method, it involves selecting participants to fill predefined categories or proportions (like age or gender), but without random selection.

Standardization

The process of administering and scoring a psychological test in a consistent, uniform manner for all test takers.

It ensures that the test conditions (instructions, time limits, environment, scoring) are the same for everyone, which makes the results comparable across individuals.

Norm

it refers to a standard or average score use to help interpret where an individual’s score stands in comparison to others.

It is established when a test is given to a large sample of people (called the norm group), their scores are collected and analyzed.

From these scores, norms (like averages, percentiles, or standard scores) are created.

Percentile Norm

If a test score is at the 75th percentile, it means that the individual scored higher than 75% of the participants in the norming group. Conversely, 25% scored higher than this individual.

Age Norms

age equivalent score

Indicates the average performance of test takers who were at various ages.

Grade Norms

The average test performance of test takers in a given school grade.

Average performance level of a student in a particular grade level.

National Norm

Average test score from large representative sample of individuals in a certain country.

It provides a reference point to compare an individual's score to the general population across the country.

National Anchor Norm

a special type of national norm used to link scores from different test forms or local norms to the national standard.

Subgroup Norms

a type of test norm based on a specific group within the larger population.

Local Norms

a type of test norm that is based on the performance of individuals from a specific local group, such as a particular school, community, organization, or region.

Norm Reference Test

a type of test that measures an individual's performance by to established norm. It is designed to rank test-takers and determine their relative standing within a population, rather than to assess mastery of specific skills or content.

Scores are typically reported using percentiles, standard scores, or other comparative metrics, showing how a person performed in relation to others.

Criterion Reference Test

a type of test that measures an individual's performance against a fixed set of standards or criteria, rather than comparing them.

The focus is on whether the person has met the standard without comparing it to other’s performance.

This type of test is commonly used in classroom settings, licensing exams, or certification tests to determine whether a learner meets the required learning objectives.