1905: Alfred Binet and colleagues published a test for Paris school children’s placement in appropriate classes
WWI in 1917: US military needed a way to screen large number of recruits → “testing”
if a person is fit to go to war
screening tool
After the war: more psychological tests to measure other psychological variables
WW2: distinction between “testing” and “assessment” began to emerge
Definition
Testing: the process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior
Assessment: the gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation through tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observation, and other methods
Objective
Testing: typically to obtain some gauge, usually numerical in nature, with regard to an ability or attribute
Assessment: typically to answer a referral question, solve a problem or arrive at a decision through the tools of evaluation
Process
Testing: may be individual or group in nature; add up the number of correct answers or certain types of responses
Assessment: typically individualized, focuses on how the individual processes
Role of Evaluator
Testing: not key to the process, tester substitution won’t affect the evaluation
Assessment: key to the process of selecting tests, tools of evaluation and drawing conclusions from the entire evaluation
Skill of Evaluator
Testing: technician-like skills for administering, scoring, interpreting a test result
Assessment: requires educated selection of tools, skill in evaluation, organization, and integration of data
Outcome
Testing: yields a test score or a series of test scores
Assessment: logical problem-solving approach using sources of data to shed light on a referral question
Process of Assessment
Referral from a source, to answer a referral question.
Assessor meets the assessee or others to clarify aspects of the reason for referral.
Assessor prepares or selects the tools of assessment to be used
Formal Assessment
Write a report of the findings that is designed to answer the referral question.
Feedback sessions with the assessee or third parties.
Types of Assessment
Collaborative Psychological Assessment: the assessor and assessee work as partners
Therapeutic Psychological Assessment: therapeutic self-discovery is encouraged through the assessment process
Dynamic Assessment: typically employed in educational settings but also may be used in correctional, corporate, neuropsychological, clinical, and other settings
Evaluation → Intervention → Evaluation
Tools of Psychological Assessment
Test
a device or procedure designed to measure variables related to psychology
intelligence, attitudes, personality, interests, etc.
vary by content, format, administration, scoring, interpretation, and technical quality
Content
subject matter of the test
depends on the theoretical orientation of test developers and the unique way in which they define the construct of interest
Format
the form, plan, structure, layout of test items, and other considerations
time limits
Administration
tests may require certain tasks to be performed, trained observation of performance, or little involvement by the test administrators
self-report questionnaires
Scoring and Interpretation
scoring of tests may be simple, such as summing responses to items, or may require more elaborate procedures
some tests results can be interpreted easily, or interpreted by computer, whereas other tests require expertise for proper interpretation
Cut Score
a reference point, usually numerical, used to divide data into two or more classifications
pass or fail
Technical Quality or Psychometric Soundness
psychometrics is the science of psychological measurement
the psychometric soundness of a test depends on how consistently and accurately the test measures what it purports to measure
test users are sometimes referred to as psychometrists or psychometricians
Interview
a method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange
vary as to their purpose, length, and nature
quality of information obtained in an interview often depends on the skills of the interviewer
their pacing, rapport, and their ability to convey genuineness, empathy, and humor
Portfolio
a file containing the products of one’s work
may serve as a sample of one’s abilities and accomplishments
Case History Data
information preserved in records, transcripts, or other forms
Behavioral Observation
monitoring the actions of people through visual or electronic means
Role-Play Test
assesses are directed to act as if they were in a particular situation
useful in evaluating various skills
Computer as Tools
Computers can assist in test administration, scoring, and interpretation
Assessment is increasingly conducted via the internet
Advantages of Internet Testing
greater access to potential test-users
scoring and interpretation tends to be quicker
costs tend to be lower
facilitates testing of otherwise isolated populations and people with disabilities
Who are the Parties?
Test Developer
tests are created for research studies, publications, or as modifications of existing tests
Publication: commercially available instruments
Test User
tests are used by a wide range of professionals
Test Taker
anyone who is the subject of an assessment or evaluation is a test-taker
may differ on a number of variables at the time of testing
test anxiety, emotional distress, physical discomfort, alertness, etc.
Society at Large
test- developers create tests to meet the needs of an evolving society
law and court decisions may play a major role in test development, administration, and interpretation
Other Parties
organizations, companies, and governmental agencies sponsor the development of tests
companies may offer test scoring and interpretation
researchers may review tests and evaluate their psychometric soundness
Main Use of Psychological Tests
to evaluate individual differences or variations among individuals
Types of Settings
Educational Settings
students typically undergo school ability tests and achievement tests
diagnostic tests may be used to identify areas for educational intervention
educators may also make informal evaluations of their students
Clinical Settings
includes hospitals, inpatient and outpatient clinics, private-practice consulting rooms, schools, and other institutions
assessment tools are used to help screen for or diagnose behavior problems
Counseling Settings
includes schools, prisons, and governmental or privately owned institutions
the goal of assessments in this setting is improvements in adjustment, productivity, or related variable
Geriatric Settings
assessment primarily evaluates cognitive, psychological, adaptive, or other functioning
at issue is quality of life
Business and Military Settings
decisions regarding careers of personnel are made with a variety of achievement, aptitude, interest, motivational, and other tests
Government and Organizational Credentialing
includes governmental licensing, certification, or general credentialing of professionals
attorneys, physicians, and psychologists
How Assessments are Conducted
there are many different methods used
ethical testers have responsibilities before, during, and after testing
Obligations Include
familiarity with test materials and procedures
ensuring that the room in which the test will be conducted is suitable and conducive to the testing
it it important to establish rapport during test administration
Rapport: a working relationship between the examiner and the examinee
Assessment of People with Disabilities
the law mandates “alternate assessment” -- the definition of this is up to states or school districts
accommodations need to be made -- the adaptation of a test, procedure, or situation, or the substitutions of one test for another, to make the assessment more suitable for an assessee with exceptional needs