Psychometry

Code: PSI11105L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Psychology

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

In this UC, the fundamental concepts of the scientific area of Psychometrics, namely the cocnepts of reliability and validity, are aproached and a reference to the main psychological tests is made.

Sustainable Development Goals

Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

As a result of the work carried out throughout the semester in the curricular unit of Psychometry, students should:
a) Know fundamental concepts in the scientific field of Psychometrics, namely the notions of validity and reliability.
b) Know the main types of psychological tests, their psychometric characteristics, and the ethical issues inherent to their use.
c) Know the technical procedures necessary for constructing and adapting psychological tests, specifically questionnaires.
d) Know and apply the procedures required to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of a psychological test.
e) Know and apply the procedures for administering and scoring some psychological tests.
f) Know the norms of a psychological test and apply the interpretation process based on comparing the individual results with the normative data.

I ? Fundamental Concepts
1. Introduction to measurement theory
2. Definition and classification of psychological tests
3. Validity of a psychological test
3.1. The concept of validity
3.2. Methods for evaluating validity
4. Reliability of a psychological test
4.1. The concept of reliability
4.2. Methods for evaluating reliability
5. Derived scores, test norms, and interpretation
6. Importance and topics of a psychological test manual
7. Ethical issues inherent to the use of psychological tests

II ? Applications: Different types of psychological tests
1. Intelligence and aptitude tests: factorial theories of intelligence and Weschler scales
2. Personality tests: characteristics, types of questionnaires, types of item formats, examples, advantages, limitations, and psychometric issues
3. Behaviour rating scales
4. Translation, construction, and adaptation of questionnaires

Teaching Methods

The theoretical classes of the Psychometry curricular unit will follow primarily expository and structured methods for presenting the different learning contents, using concrete examples adapted from psychological practice in the three main areas of specialization. These teaching methods will be useful for achieving the first three learning objectives, ensuring a connection between the theoretical content and its application in psychological practice and research. The practical classes will follow demonstrative and active methods, allowing the achievement of the last three learning objectives. In these classes, students will learn how to demonstrate the psychometric characteristics of some psychological tests using statistical analysis tools such as SPSS and JASP. They will also be able to become familiar with a broad range of psychological assessment tests and to learn and practice the application, scoring, and interpretation procedures of some protocols.

Assessment

Continuous assessment of the Psychometry curricular unit is performed through a mixed assessment system consisting of two components: practical (two assignments) and theoretical (one test). The minimum grade in the three assessment elements is 9.5 out of 20.

1. Practical work: The first consists of analyzing a test?s psychometric characteristics, and the second is creating a technical test sheet. Both works are performed in groups. Regarding the first work, an oral defense may be requested. Evaluation weight: 20% + 25%.
2. Assessment test: The individual test includes questions about the contents taught in the theoretical and practical classes. Evaluation weight: 55%.

The final assessment consists of a written assessment element (100%) with exercises of a theoretical and practical nature. To conclude the curricular unit, students must obtain a minimum of 9.5 out of 20.