Unit Outline

This unit offers a systematic approach to understanding psychological assessment and measurement. Consideration is given to a range of psychological assessment strategies and how these can be applied across a range of contexts . This unit is designed to provide you with foundational skills and knowledge relevant to research and pre-professional training. Throughout the unit, you will develop practical skills and knowledge to a foundational level of competence in relation to psychological assessment, appropriate test selection , and evaluating the efficacy of assessment tools.

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	Compare and contrast the psychological assessment process in the context of clinical and non-clinical populations.
2	Illustrate how equity and diversity principles impact decisions about psychological assessments and/or measurement.
3	Critically apply psychometric knowledge in the development and evaluation of standardised assessment tools.
4	Illustrate how distinct psychological assessment techniques can influence the measurement and interpretation of psychological functioning.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	PSY211 OR KHB100

Alterations as a result of student feedback

As a result of student feedback from 2023 and innovations in assessment practices, one core change has been made to the unit for 2024. Specifically, a redistribution of assessment weight between Assessment Task 3 (Case Study - Scoring) and Assessment Task 4 (Case Study - Essay) to acknowledge greater emphasis on the ability to reflect on the assessment process and demonstrate critical appraisal of methodological benefits and limitations.

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:	Evaluations	Week 3	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Video Presentation	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Case Study – Scoring	Week 12	15 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Case Study – Essay	Week 12	30 %	LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Evaluations

Task Description:

Short-response written evaluations

Assessment Task 1 will consist of three short written responses in relation to applied scenarios in assessment and/or measurement.
Due Dates:
Evaluation 1 - Week 3
Evaluation 2 - Week 4
Evaluation 3 - Week 5

Task Length:

3 x submissions of 200-250 words each

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain potential challenges of administering psychometrically sound assessments in applied psychology.	LO1
2	Apply principles of equity and diversity when considering assessment administration and interpretation.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Video Presentation

Task Description:

Assessment 2 is a 20-minute individual academic presentation about assessment selection. You will be required to evaluate the psychometric and assessment properties of two assessment measures to make an empirically informed decision on the most appropriate choice for measuring a chosen outcome, within a target population of your choice. You will record your video presentation and upload it for submission.

Task Length:

20 minutes

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and verbally synthesise empirical knowledge to clearly and persuasively communicate the importance of your chosen target population and outcome of investigation.	LO2
2	Verbally define key terms and concepts relevant to the target population, outcome, and psychometrics.	LO2
3	Synthesise high-quality empirical research findings to ensure that a robust argument can be made with a strong evidence-based foundation.	LO3
4	Verbally delineate the methodological and psychometric benefits and limitations of each assessment to provide a persuasive argument for selection.	LO3, LO4
5	Demonstrate clear verbal communication skills suitable for an uninformed audience. Visual aids are clear to read and adhere to APA 7th formatting guidelines.	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Case Study – Scoring

Task Description:

You are required to extract relevant contextual and individual factors from a case study and score information according to psychological assessment measure/s.

Task Length:

1,000 words (maximum)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Accurately identify, extract, and describe relevant information from the case study.	LO4
2	Score information from the case study to accurately complete assessment measure/s.	LO4
3	Writing is clear and concise, adhering to APA 7th formatting and guidelines	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Case Study – Essay

Task Description:

You are required to evaluate the Case Study - Scoring Activity, including an overview of your personal experience with completing the task, discussion of the empirical benefits and limitations of the assessment measure/s, and consideration for the psychometric soundness of the data.

Task Length:

1,500 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically reflect on your personal experience completing the psychological assessment process.	LO4
2	Evaluate the empirical merits and limitations of the assessment measures.	LO3, LO4
3	Appraise the reliability and validity of the assessment measures and scores with consideration to contextual and individual factors in the case study.	LO3, LO4
4	Writing is clear and concise. Written work adheres to APA 7th formatting and guidelines for first-person reflective writing.	LO3, LO4

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.

Your final result is determined in accordance with the unit’s assessment information. Marks for the individual components are totalled to contribute to the specific percentage. Marks are reviewed by the Unit Coordinator and School of Psychological Sciences Assessment Committee.

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

You will need the following text for this unit:

Cohen, R. J., Schneider, W. J., & Tobin, R. (2021). Psychological Testing and Assessment - An Introduction to Tests and Measurement Tenth Edition. McGraw-Hill US Higher Education ISE.