Unit details

PSYC3302 Psychological Measurement and its Application

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Psychology; Psychological and Behavioural Sciences major sequences
• Level 3 elective

Content

This unit is devoted primarily to psychometrics: the scientific discipline that describes the theory, the principles, and the appropriate application of measurement in psychology. In more specific terms, the unit will focus on an understanding of test score reliability and test validity. Furthermore, methods that can be used to evaluate the reliability and validity of measures often used to quantify psychological attributes such as cognitive abilities, personality, and attitudes, for example, will be taught. Specific data analytic techniques used to evaluate test scores will include coefficient alpha and omega, factor analysis, item response theory, and multiple regression, for example. In addition to psychometrics, this unit will have some focus upon psychological assessment: the scientific discipline devoted to the principles of test administration, scoring, and interpretation.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) acquire key knowledge of the principles underlying psychometric measurement, testing and assessment—this requires an understanding of scaling, psychometric functions, item characteristics, reliability and validity.; (2) be aware of best practice in assessment, including an awareness of the potential impact of cultural differences, and ethical issues associated with psychological testing; (3) become familiar with the analysis of individual differences and statistics in common with those used in test construction— correlation, regression and factor analysis.; and (4) identify and explain pertinent multi-cultural considerations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, in the development and evaluation of psychological tests.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) mid-semester test; (2) end-of-semester lab test; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Gilles Gignac

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of three Unit(s) PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain and Unit(s) PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context and Unit(s) PSYC2203 Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Psychology

Co-requisites:

Nil

Incompatibility:

Nil

Contact hours

lectures: 2 hours per week; labs: 1 to 2 hours some weeks

Note

Enrolled students can access unit material via LMS (Learning Management System).

Students are exposed to topics in psychology units that may cause some discomfort or distress in certain individuals (e.g. depression, suicide, trauma, eating disorders). They are required to demonstrate skills across a variety of different formats and contexts (e.g. written assessments, participation in practical work, contribution to group discussions, oral presentations, examinations), and so it is important to carefully consider whether they are able to cope with the demands of studying psychology and whether there is anything that would impact upon their ability to complete the requirements of the unit. Refer to individual unit outlines for more detailed unit information.