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 in Society; Psychology major sequences
- The area of knowledge for this unit is Life and Health Sciences
- Category B broadening unit for students
- Level 3 elective
- Content
- This unit introduces classical test theory and latent trait theories of psychological measurement. In the context of ability testing, students are taught test construction skills including selecting items for a test, plotting item responses, assessing test reliability and validity, and examining 'latent traits' using correlation, partial correlation and factor analysis. Students then use these test construction skills to create a new test of a different construct (e.g. empathy). The unit also includes applied measurement—how tests are used as individual assessment instruments and/or selection instruments in real life.
- 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 ethical issues associated with psychological testing; and (3) become familiar with the analysis of individual differences and statistics in common with those used in test construction—covariance, correlation, regression and introductory factor analysis.
- Assessment
- Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class assessment; (2) assignments; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course. - Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Gilles Gignac
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week; labs: 2 hours per week
- 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. - Texts
Current textbook information is available in the School of Psychological Science textbooks list.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary reading', 'Recommended reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available via the Booktopia Textbook Finder, which has the functionality to search by course code, course, ISBN and title, and may also be posted or available at the appropriate school's administrative offices. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.