UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

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.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	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

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.

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

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor 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

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.