WEEK 5 Psychological Test Development | Part 2 – Test Structure

P S Y C H O L O G I C A L T E S T
D E V E L O P M E N T
O V E R V I E W
One of the critical real world skills needed in this profession is the ability to research, apply and
decipher the results of various kinds of testing that may be needed by various clients. Knowing where
to find such tests, the theories behind their compilation and indeed the capacity to create one’s own
diagnostic will enable the student to be a successful practitioner in this vocation.
Assume you have been hired to develop a test that will be administered to measure perceptions or
occurrences of events, observations or phenomena similar to the types of assessments.
• Review How to Construct a Psychological Test (link on the overview page)
• Review What Makes a Good Test (link on the overview page)
• Review Types of Tests (link on the overview page) as inspiration for the type of test you will
develop
• Review Not by the Book: Facebook as a Sampling Frame (link on the overview page)
A S S I G N M E N T I N S T R U C T I O N S
Part 1 – Test Development Proposal
1. Review Constructing Tests & Psychological Test Developers (links on overview page) to gather
information about a variety of tests, their purposes, protocols, regulations and the types of tests
that are available
2. Write a proposal that defines the purpose of a psychological test that you aim to develop for
this assignment
3. Submit the assignment by the assigned deadline and incorporate instructor feedback from
this part of the assignment into the next part of this assignment.
Part 2 – Test Structure
1. Purpose and Rationale – Define the construction of the test with a:
a. More developed purpose for the test that includes detailed rationale for why such a
test might be needed
b. Clear identification and description of who the intended test administrators and
intended test takers would be
c. Incorporation of instructor feedback from the previous part of this assignment
2. Measurement Criteria
a. Review Objective Measurement of Subjective Phenomena (link on the overview page)
b. Comprehensively describe the traits, abilities, or events to be measured in the test
items (questions).

c. Skillfully describe the Levels of Measurement in Statistics (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval,
Ratio) (link on the overview page)
d. Accurately describe methods of scale construction
3. Test items – Write several questions to address each construct (traits, abilities or
events/phenomena) to be measured/assessed in the test.
Part 3 – Feedback and Evaluation Discussion
1. Share your test with peers and solicit feedback in this week’s discussion forum. Normal
discussion engagement expectations apply.
2. Discuss the prompts provided in the discussion forum to evaluate your peers’ tests.
Part 4 – Psychological Test Proposal
1. Address justification for revisions that were made or not incorporated from any valid peer
feedback you received in the discussion before you submit for grading in this final part.
Consult your instructor if you have a question about what might be valid feedback from peers.
2. Test Plan: Discuss how the test will be administered and scored in a bias-free way using at least
one scholarly source to support the scoring method.
3. Test Interpretation: Discuss how the test will be interpreted using at least one scholarly source
to support your interpretation strategy.
4. Test Validity: Discuss any possible limitations to the test that might arise based on at least one
of these factors: test administration, assumptions made about the test takers and/or how the
traits, abilities or events/phenomena are measured.
A S S I G N M E N T R E Q U I R E M E N T S
Part 1 – Test Development Proposal
• Clear description of the purpose of a psychological test
Part 2 – Test Structure
• Purpose and Rationale – Defines the construction of the test with a:
o More developed purpose for the test that includes detailed rationale for why such a
test might be needed
o Clear identification and description of who the intended test administrators and
intended test takers would be
o Incorporation of instructor feedback from the previous part of this assignment
• Measurement Criteria
o Comprehensively describes the traits, abilities, or events to be measured in the test
items (questions).
o Skillfully describes the levels (scale) of measurement
o Accurately describes methods of scale construction
• Test items – Write a minimum of 3 to 5 clearly worded questions for each construct (traits,
abilities or events/phenomena) that you believe could comprehensively measure/assess it in
the test.
Part 3 – Feedback and Evaluation Discussion
• Test shared with peers and solicit feedback in this week’s discussion forum. Normal discussion
engagement expectations apply.
2
Part 4 – Final Submission Psychological Test Proposal
• Justifies revisions made or not incorporated from valid peer feedback received in the
discussion forum.
• Test Plan: Comprehensively, skillfully discusses how the test will be administered and scored in a
bias-free way using at least one scholarly source to support the scoring method.
• Test Interpretation: Comprehensively, skillfully discusses how the test will be interpreted using at
least one scholarly source to support your interpretation strategy
• Test Validity: Comprehensively, skillfully discusses any possible limitations to the test that might
arise based on at least one of these factors: test administration, assumptions made about the
test takers and/or how the traits, abilities or events/phenomena are measured
A S S I G N M E N T S C O P E
• Citation Requirements
o Parts 2 & 4: 2 sources each; at least one scholarly source per part
• Word count
o Part 1: 250 words
o Part 2: 600-750 words minimum
o Part 3: discussion engagement word count requirements apply
o Part 4: 600-750 words minimum
• APA formatting (Parts 2, 4)
o Title page
o Reference page