Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Testing – the term used to refer to everything from the administration of a test to the interpretation of a test
score.
Psychological assessment – the gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a
psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies,
behavioral observations, and specifically designed apparatuses and measurement procedures.
Psychological testing – the process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures
designed to obtain a sample behavior.
TESTING ASSESSMENT
Objective Objective
Typically, to obtain some gauge, usually numerical Typically, to answer a referral question, solve a
in nature, with regard to an ability or attribute. Battery problem, or arrive at a decision through the use of
of tests - 7 to 8 different tests. tools of evaluation.
Process Process
Testing may be individual (WAIS OR WISC, Assessment is typically individualized. In contrast
STANFORD BINET, TAT) or group in nature. After test to testing, assessment more typically focuses on how
administration, the tester will typically add up “the an individual processes rather than simply the results
number of correct answers or the number of certain of that processing.
responses… with little if any regard for the how or
mechanics of such content.”
Role of Evaluator Role of Evaluator
The tester is not the key to the process; practically The assessor is the key to the process of selecting
speaking, one tester may be substituted for another tests and/or other tools of evaluation as well as in
tester without appreciably affecting the evaluation. drawing conclusions from the entire evaluation.
Skill of Evaluator Skill of Evaluator
Testing typically requires technician-like skills in Assessment typically requires an education
terms of administering and scoring a test as well as in selection of tools of evaluation, skill in evaluation, and
interpreting a test result. thoughtful organization and integration of data.
Outcome Outcome
Typically, testing yields a test score or series of Typically, assessment entails a logical problem-
test scores. solving approach that brings to bear many sources of
data designed to shed light on a referral question.
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
Clinical assessments, or psychological assessments, can be defined as a process of collecting, analyzing and
interpreting information in order to make judgments and decisions about human behavior and mental
processes. Evaluations provide us with the process of coming up with a judgment or an appraisal of what an
individual can and cannot do.
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Kinds of Assessment
1. Collaborative psychological assessment
2. Therapeutic psychological assessment
3. Dynamic assessment
The Tests
Test of any kind, whether for academic, psychological, or job placement purpose and beyond others must have
the following characteristics:
1. Standardized
2. Objective
3. Valid
4. Reliable
The Interview
Interview – a face-to-face interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee. It is a method of gathering
information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the interview as a tool of assessment?
What are the interviewing skills a professional in the field of psychology should have?
Who are the sources for interviews in doing clinical assessment?
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Behavioral Observation
Behavioral observation – defined as monitoring the actions of others or oneself by visual or electronic means
while recording quantitative and/or qualitative information regarding the actions.
Types of Observation
Naturalistic observation
Direct observation
Informal Methods
SOURCES:
Cohen, R. J. & Swerdlik, M. E., (2010). Psychological Testing and Assessment: An introduction to tests and
measurement, 7th ed. Published by McGraw-Hill, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. New York, USA. Printed in
Singapore.
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