Unit Outline
KHA453
Assessment, Professional Roles & Ethics
Semester 2, 2024
Cynthia Honan
School of Psychological Sciences
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Cynthia Honan
Email: Cynthia.Honan@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
A major aim of this unit is to extend students’ theoretical understanding of assessment issues, assessment practice and reporting. The unit will provide supervised practical experience in the administration and interpretation of IQ and other tests commonly used by practising psychologists. Other aims are to develop an awareness of ethical and intercultural issues, and the role of the professional psychologist, and to develop professional report writing skills. At the end of this course students will have a solid understanding of the issues involved in test selection, administration and reporting across the full age range, and will have a working knowledge of the administration of a small number of tests. Students will also gain an understanding of how assessment interviews are conducted. Key ethical issues in professional practice are discussed and familiarity with the Code of Professional Conduct and relevant registration legislation are developed.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Evaluate the professional practice of psychological scientists and psychologists using ethical principles, codes, and guidelines, and appropriate laws
2
Integrate knowledge of psychometric assessment processes and results profiles to develop client-focused recommendations and reports
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
Admission into M4O or M4Y or R4A or S4E
Alterations as a result of student feedback
In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments, unit schedule and mode of delivery, and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
4 x 4 hour workshops
4
Study Period 4 times
Independent Learning
Self directed learning
2
Weekly
Seminar
2 x 3 hour seminars
3
Study Period 2 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
In this unit, your active engagement will be monitored in the following way:
  • Attendance at seminars and workshops.
  • Engagement with learning materials provided on MyLO.
This unit involves a combination of formal instruction, class discussions, face-to-face activities and online activities/reading. You will be required to complete readings and MyLO activities as required in preparation for discussions at seminars and workshops.
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Ethical Decision-Making Task
Week 5
40 %
LO1
Assessment Task 2:
Professional Assessment Report - Background
Week 10
25 %
LO2
Assessment Task 3:
Assessment Report – Interpretation and Recommendations
Week 10
35 %
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Ethical Decision-Making Task
Task Description:
Your task is to apply the APS ethical decision-making model to come to an evidence-based decision about how to respond to an ethical dilemma presented to you in a scenario. You will refer to the APS Code of Ethics and supplementary ethical guidelines, as well as any other relevant literature. The scenario will be supplied in the seminars.
Task Length:
1250 words
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Identification of issues in the ethical dilemma
LO1
2
Application of the Code and relevant literature to the ethical dilemma
LO1
3
Identify potential courses of action and associated consequences including culturally and socially appropriate considerations
LO1
4
Professionally respond to the ethical dilemma
LO1
 
Assessment Task 2: Professional Assessment Report - Background
Task Description:
Professional Assessment Report - Background
Case material will be provided in the “Assessment” folder on MyLO. The case material will include a referral letter, information obtained from an interview, an excerpt from a recent psychological assessment report, and other background information. You will be required to integrate the background information in the form of a professional report so that it is appropriate for the referral source.
Task Length:
1200 words
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
25 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Integration of referral question and relevant background information obtained at interview
LO2
2
Integration of behavioural observations, assessment results and other sources of information
LO2
3
Presentation and professionalism of reporting background information
LO2
 
Assessment Task 3: Assessment Report – Interpretation and Recommendations
Task Description:
Professional Assessment Report – Interpretation and Recommendations
Prepare a professional report for the referrer that summarises key features of the client’s cognitive and behavioural profile and other background information,, provides an opinion on the profile, and provides practical recommendations (e.g., strategies and goals for the client) to address the difficulties found.
Task Length:
800 words
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
35 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Summary and interpretation of cognitive and behavioural profile in the context of the referral question
LO2
2
Formulation and provision of recommendations and strategies including culturally and socially appropriate considerations
LO1, LO2
3
Presentation and professionalism of reporting interpretations and recommendations
LO1, LO2
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 
 
Required Resources
Required reading materials
Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics, 2007. Melbourne: APS
Additional readings will be provided by the lecturers and placed on MyLO
 
Recommended reading materials
Morrissey, S.A., Reddy, P., Davidson, G.R., & Allan, A. (2015). Ethics and Professional Practice for Psychologists. (2nd ed.). Melbourne, VIC: Cengage.
 
Other required resources