APA (edition "APA 7") Psychology and Education

Cross Cultural Methods of Test Measurements

Question 1: Explain the process of establishing standardized scores for an assessment instrument.  Include each of the following elements in your discussion, and include a peer-reviewed source that demonstrates establishment of norms for a psychological instrument.

a)    Selection of the norm reference group who should be selected, and why?
b)    Normal distribution
c)    Measures of central tendency
d)    Measures of variability
e)    Raw scores
f)    Methods of transforming raw scores into scale scores (discuss at least three)

Question 2: (a)  A researcher has decided to design a test that measures anxiety in job seekers prior to an interview.  Items in the test will be measured using a Likert scale. Describe the process the researcher would undertake in order to construct the initial instrument, test the items, refine the instrument, and demonstrate the validity of the measure.  Be sure to discuss at least three types of validity (other than face validity).

(b)  If the researcher had decided to design an interview rather than a survey, what additional type of reliability (discussed in chapter 4; Gregory, 2016) would need to be demonstrated?

Question 3: Review chapter 5 (Gregory, 2016) and the Hartley and MacLean (2006) article.

a)    Define a learning disability and briefly describe several different types of learning disabilities.
b)    Explain how a learning disability is diagnosed.
c)    What special considerations are necessary in educational testing of children with disabilities?
d)    What special considerations are necessary in psychological testing of adolescents and adults with disabilities?

Question 4: Sources of test bias.  Explain at least three sources of test bias that can threaten validity of the test results.  What steps can be taken to reduce the risk of bias in each case?  Include at least two peer-reviewed sources that give examples of test bias and/or address strategies to reduce test bias.

Question 5: Compare and contrast projective and objective personality testing, including an explanation of the theoretical basis for each category of test.
Describe at least two projective and two objective personality tests and address the reliability and validity data for each test.

Question 6: For each of the issues, address the following:
a.    Identify possible brain structures that may be associated with impairment in functioning
b.    Identify at least two neurological tests (or specific subscales, if applicable) that could be used to test for impairment in functioning
c.    Explain how each neurological test (or subscale) is administered
d.    Explain how possible impairment is identified by each particular test
    Attention/concentration***
    Spatial/manipulatory ability***
    Manipulative speed and accuracy***

Question 7: Forensic:
a.    Explain the difference between competency to stand trial and legal insanity.
b.    Discuss the unique issues involved in assessment of defendants and the legal issues that must be considered when administering tests in a forensic setting.
c.    Identify specific tests used in forensic settings and how they are used to identify malingering and to evaluate competency.