DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING
School of Education
Pittsburg State University
Spring, 2010
________________________________________________________________________
Course Number: Psych 722
Title: Fundamentals of Tests and Measurements
Credit Hours: 3
Course Time Schedule: T 6.30-9.20
Instructor: Dr. Jamie Wood
Associate Professor of Psychology
KSDE Licensed School Psychologist
Phone: 235-4193 (office), jwood@pittstate.edu
Office : 205G Whitesett
Office Hours: M: 10-1145, T: 12-130, W: 10-1145, 2-5, TH: 330-5, F: 10-1145
I am often available other times, but call to check first. Do not hesitate to ask for extra
help--those who do often develop stronger skills. Also, feel free to ask me to meet with
you at times that are more convenient for you. Finally, I will miss a couple of days
occasionally to update my training on the latest developments in the field and present
research at regional/national conferences. Research is important and expected of faculty
in our department. I appreciate your understanding.
________________________________________________________________________
Special Concerns: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some
special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact me as soon as
possible to make necessary accommodations.
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Psychology 722 is an introductory course in psychological testing designed to help
students develop an understanding of basic psychometric theory and the methods of
measurement of psychological and educational variables.
II. PREREQUISITES
· 9 hours of psychology or permission of instructor
· Psych 290 Research Methods in Psych I or its equivalent is recommended
III. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The course is intended to explore the purpose, selection, and characteristics of both
group and individual tests. An additional focus will be ethical and legal aspects of
assessment, particularly as they relate to current legislative and judicial decisions
regarding clinical, educational and employment testing. Rather than providing training in
administration, scoring, and interpretation of specific tests, Psychology 722 serves as an
introduction to test selection, evaluation, psychometric theory, as well as an overview of
types of tests available, their appropriate uses, and limitations.
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of
assessment tools used to gather data for interpretation in individual and group settings, as
well as show awareness of issues in selecting, administering and interpreting assessment
tools in individual, group, and organizational evaluation.
V. REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS
Cohen, R.J., Swerdlik, M.E., & Smith, D.K. (2009). Psychological testing: An
introduction to tests and measurement (7th ed.) Mountainview, CA: Mayfield Publishing.
VI. INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
· Major test publisher's catalogs are available in the Psychology Department office
and from Dr. Wood. Many test materials (i.e. manuals, specimen sets, etc.) are available
for review to qualified students in this class in the university library. (Check with the
reference librarian). Students will have access to web-based resources through ANGEL.
If needed, students will be provided instruction in using this technology and will be
expected to be able to successfully access and navigate ANGEL
VII. TEACHING STRATEGIES
Psychology 722 is treated as a graduate level class, serving as a theoretical
introduction to the area of psychological testing. The course format will be primarily
lecture-discussion, and your questions are always welcome.
VIII. REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
A. ATTENDANCE
Full attendance is expected of all students. Missing more than one class period may
result in being dropped from the course. You must notify the instructor in advance of all
absences. “In advance” is defined as a phone call or email prior to the beginning of the
class. Notification however does not preclude the instructor’s option of dropping students
from the class for missing more than one class period.
B. ACTIVITIES
1. Test Reviews - All students will complete 2 Technical Data Summaries (or test
reviews) on psychological/educational tests. Students will review tests, providing data on
appropriate use, norms, statistical properties, basic interpretations, strengths, weaknesses,
and limitations. This information will be presented in a format provided by the instructor.
On the dates specified on the class schedule, students will have prepared 2 copies of test
reviews for the instructor. An outline for test reviews will be provided in class.
2. EXERCISES - Exercises requiring out of class assignments will be given. Each of
these exercises is designed to enhance students' learning in a specific area in the field of
psychological testing. Exercises will deal with professional issues, statistics, and
psychometric theory, and the final exercise will be a test construction/development
exercise.
3. EXAMINATIONS - There will be a Midterm, and a Final, covering basic
course content. The Midterm Exam will cover basic principles in psychological testing,
psychometric theory, statistics involved in testing, and ethical/legal principles in
psychological testing. The Final Exam will be comprehensive, but will stress application
of basic principles.
4. TEST DEVELOPMENT PROJECT – Each student will complete a test
development project. The project requires the development of a scale designed to
measure a psychological construct. The project must also include a plan detailing,
hypothetically, how a sample would be secured and developed for norming procedures
and how reliability and validity would be established. Specific instructions will be
provided.
IX. SCORE POSTING AND GRADING
All assignments must be submitted by the due date unless prior arrangements have
been made with the instructor. Assignments which are late will be docked a letter grade.
No assignments will be accepted after 6 days from the due date.
Graded examinations and assignments will be returned to students during the class
period following the due date.
Final grades will be based on the total points earned by students through the course
of the semester, according to the following schedule:
Midterm Exam 100
Final Exam 100
Test Review 1 50
Test Review 2 50
General Exercises (Total) 60
Test Development Exercise 50
A=90% or above
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59% or below
X. TENTATIVE COURSE CONTENT/SCHEDULE
Date
Topic Reading/Assignment
1/19
Introduction to Testing & Assessment Chapter 1, p92-99
1/26
Historical, Ethical, and Legal Issues Chapter 2
2/2
Basic Psychometric Theory Chapters 3 & 4
2/9
Reliability & Error of Measurement Chapter 5
Exercise 1 Due
2/16
Validity Chapter 6
Exercise 2 Due
2/23
Library Resources (Meet at library)
Exercise 3 Due
3/2
Test Development Chapter 7
3/9
MIDTERM EXAM
3/16
SPRING BREAK NO CLASS 
3/23
Clinical/Counseling Assessment Chapter 13
3/30
Intelligence Testing Chapters 8 & 9
Test Review 1 Due
4/6
Personality Assessment Chapters 11 & 12
4/13
Neuropsychological Assessment Chapter 14
Test Review 2 Due
4/20
Educational Assessment
4/27
Careers and Business Chapter 16
Test Development Project Due
5/4
Assessment of People with Disabilities Chapter 15
5/11
FINAL EXAM
The instructor reserves the right to change content as well as due dates for exercises,
projects, and exam by giving students advance notice.