Psychometry I

Presentation

This curricular unit (UC) presents psychometrics discipline, emphasizing the articulation between the psychology and statistics. It is an essential UC for the academic and professional training of future psychologists since it aims to enable students with knowledge and skills about psychologycal assessment, being this a common activity of different Psychology fields. Also, through the study of the measure in Psychology, this UC allows the introduction of skills for the development, validation and application of psychological tests.

Part of this Programme

Psychology

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

2 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT35-13883

Recommended complementary curricular units

Statistics I

Statistics II

Psychometry II

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

1. Psychometrics and the importance of measurement in psychology

1.1. Definition of psychometry and differentiation of psychological evaluation

1.2. Emergence and historical evolution

1.3. Classical Theory of Tests (TCT) and Item Response Theory (TRI)

2. Psychometric tests

2.1. Characterization, advantages and limitations

2.2. Classification of psychometric tests

2.3. Requirements of psychometric tests: normalization, standardization and psychometric qualities (definition): validity, fidelity and sensitivity

2.4. Advantages and limits of computerization of questionnaires

3. Considerations regarding the application of psychometrics

3.1. Scope of application of psychometrics

3.2. Requirements and competences: human, technical and scientific competences; competence and ethical and deontological principles

3.3. Considerations regarding the specificities of the targets and application contexts

Objectives

As goals of this UC, it is expected that the student:

Recognize the theoretical and empirical foundations of measurement in psychology and identify its limitations, advantages and specificities; 

Acknowledge the fundamentals of measurement theory and test theory;

Acquire knowledge regarding the need to use standardized measures;

Develop competences related to obtaining values of standardization and interpretation of different types of standards; 

Recognize the importance of the main concepts regarding the fidelity, validity and sensitivity of the measures;

Make informed decisions about the psychometric characteristics of the measures; 

Identify the main human, technical, scientific and ethical skills involved in the use of psychometrics.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Expository and active learning methods are used, which include the analysis and discussion of practical cases. The UC evaluation takes the following forms: I. Final evaluation: written exam that focus on all theoretical and practical contents (pondering 100% of the final classification); II. Continuous assessment that includes practical and theoretical assessment: a) The practical evaluation implies the accomplishment of a group work with oral (20%; with distinction of individual contributions) and writing (20%) presentation on the psychometric evaluation of a psychological construct. b) The theoretical evaluation will consist of the answer to two written tests on the contents of theoretical classes (30% +30%). Class attendance is mandatory. As a final grade the student must obtain a minimum grade of 10 points in both evaluation forms.

References

Gregory, R. (2011).  Psychological Testing: History, principles and applications. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Shultz, K., Whitney, D., & Zickar, M., (2014). Measurement Theory in Action: Case Studies and Exercises, New York: Routledge.

Urbina, S. (2014). Essentials of Psychological Testing, New Jersey: Wiley.

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