Psychological Tests and Measurements

PSYC – 421 – 001, Spring 2020

Professor: Sarah Conoyer, PhD Class Location: Alumni Hall, Room 0401
Office: Alumni Hall, Room 0136 Class Time: Mon & Wed 3:00 –4:15 pm
Contact: 650 – 3659; [email protected] Office Hours: Wed, 1:30 – 2:30 pm or by appt

Course Description
Psychological Tests and Measurements is a 3 credit hour course designed to provide students with an
introduction to the field of psychological testing. Course coverage will include study of basic
psychometric concepts (e.g., reliability, validity) as well as the functional considerations of
psychological testing (e.g., development, administration). In addition, commonly used tests from a
variety of psychological subfields will be introduced.

Required Text
Cohen, R.J., & Swerdlik, M.E., (2018). Psychological testing and assessment: An introduction to tests &
measurement (9th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

*Additional readings and podcasts available on Blackboard

Course Objectives

By the completion of the course students will:

• Develop an understanding of various psychometric concepts (i.e. reliability and validity) related to
tests and test construction.
• an understanding of new developments, ethical considerations, and controversies associated with
psychological testing.
• an understanding of the varied purposes of psychological testing in addition to the various settings in
which tests are employed.
• skills related to the critical evaluation of tests and assessment instruments.
• knowledge to enhance their writing and communication/presentation skills.

Assignment & Grading Policies

Exams (50 pts each) – Four (4) in-class, “closed book” exams will be given throughout the semester.
Each exam will cover only the material since the last exam. As such, the final exam is not
comprehensive. Each exam will cover both lecture topics and information from the assigned readings,
and will include any combination of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, or short-answer questions. Be
aware that all information presented in both the assigned readings and class lectures may appear
on exams.

Class Activities (CA; 100 pts) – Ten in-class activities will be conducted throughout the semester to
enhance your learning of course material and assist with your group project. Please see course schedule
for due dates. Each activity will be worth 10 points, specific activity requirements will be shared either
in class or on Blackboard on the date they are assigned. In class activities are group activities and
therefore cannot be made up once they have occurred. An alternative assignment may be
completed only if the instructor is made aware prior to the absence. Please make every effort to
attend on activity days.

PSYC 421-001 Syllabus page 1

Test Development Project (TDP; 150 pts) - Working in teams of 5-6 students each, students will
develop a test and examine some of its psychometric properties through data collection and analysis.
Various aspects of this assignment will require group work and data entry into SPSS. As part of each
student’s grade on this assignment, each student will be asked to turn in hard copies of a final individual
paper and a group evaluation sheet that evaluates the work of all other team members. Grades will be
given based on individual work within the group. Details of the assignment and a rubric will be posted
on blackboard. The test development assignment will be due on 4/15.

Final Grades

Your grade is based on the total number of points you earn.

Assignments Final Grades (points)*
Exams 200 points A: 405+
Class Activities (10 pts each) 100 points B: 360 – 404
Test Development Project 150 points C: 315 – 359
Total 450 points D: 270 – 314
F: < 269
*Grades will not be rounded up or curved.

Written Assignments

Any written assignment must be completed and submitted via Blackboard by the beginning of the class
period that they are due (i.e. 3:00 pm). The instructor reserves the right to determine the
appropriate number of points to deduct from work turned in late. Any late work will be subject to
an initial point deduction off the total possible points to be earned (in the range of 5 to 10% of the total
point value), and smaller subsequent point deductions will be applied for each day that the assignment is
not turned in after the due date. Excused absences that occur early in the semester do not excuse
tardiness in submitting work later in the semester. Students are responsible for anticipating that
technology can often fail and should be in communication with the instructor if necessary, PRIOR
to the deadline. Any assignments turned in via email past the beginning of the class period that they are
due will be considered late. You are encouraged to confirm that your assignment has been received via
blackboard.

APA Format in Written Work

• Students are expected to be familiar and/or to familiarize themselves with APA standards for
citations and references, per the 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association.
***A lack of knowledge of appropriate citation and referencing format will not excuse you from
point deductions from written assignments due to errors, or from disciplinary action in the case of
plagiarism.***
• If you would like additional instruction in the use of APA format, please see me during office hours,
or seek out the resources described below.
• Students who require additional assistance in writing in the areas of grammar and/or organization are
strongly encouraged to seek out additional assistance. University-based services for assisting
students with professional writing include the Writing Center
(http://www.siue.edu/lss/writing/index.shtml), which also provides workshops in APA style.

PSYC 421-001 Syllabus page 2

Department of Psychology Writing Policy
As a student in this course, you will be expected to display university-level writing, which includes
completing course assignments that meet the following basic writing criteria. Specifically, all written
assignments completed for this course should include:

• clear transitions from sentence to sentence and idea to idea (e.g., paper is organized/flows well);
• verb tense consistency;
• clear and unambiguous sentences and ideas;
• writing that is free of typos, spelling errors, and major grammatical errors;
• properly formatted paper including headings, citations and references, per the 6th edition of the
APA manual.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of basic writing skills, but will give you an idea of what we are
looking for in our papers. If you feel you need help with your writing, you are encouraged to seek
assistance from the writing center on campus (http://www.siue.edu/is/writing) or utilize one of the many
online resources they have identified to help students (http://www.siue.edu/lss/writing/resources.shtml).
If your graded written assignments fail to meet the basic writing requirements listed above (and any
others found to be appropriate by your instructor), the instructor will stop the grading process and return
the paper to you (see below for the specific policy for this class).

• The penalty for unacceptable writing in this class is as follows: If more than three writing
errors are found on any one page of a written assignment, grading will cease, and the student’s
paper will be returned with a grade equal to 50% of the total point value for the assignment.

Course Policies & Procedures

Attendance. You are expected to attend all classes. Thus, if you miss a class, it is your responsibility to
obtain lecture material and understand the contents covered in class. If you need clarification on any of
the material, I would be happy to meet with you during office hours (or other appointment times). All
the classes will start promptly on time and you are expected to come to class on time (unless you have
notified me in advance that you will be late).
• Also, class attendance on exam days is a specific course requirement. Make-up exams will only
be permitted for “excused absences” that are accompanied by proper documentation submitted to the
professor. In order to be eligible for a make-up exam, proper documentation must be submitted to
the professor by the end of the next regularly scheduled class period. If such documentation is
not submitted according to this time requirement, you will automatically earn a score of 0 on that
exam. Once documentation is received, the student will be permitted to makeup a missed exam only
during class time immediately following the regularly scheduled forth exam. In such instances,
students will first complete and turn in their regularly scheduled forth exam and will immediately be
given a copy of the exam to be made up. Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom
between their completion of the forth exam and relevant makeup exams. Make-up exams may
not be of the same format of those exams given during class.

Technology.
• This course will use Blackboard (https://bb.siue.edu) as the primary vehicle for disseminating class
materials. Announcements, updates, grades, and other important course information will be posted to
Blackboard. It is your responsibility to regularly check this course’s Blackboard website throughout
the semester. All assignments will be turned in on Blackboard (when applicable) unless otherwise
instructed to do something differently by the instructor of this course.

PSYC 421-001 Syllabus page 3

• Poll Everywhere and Socrative are electronic response systems that we will often use during class
time and for reading reviews. In order to be prepared for class please bring fully charged a laptop or
cell phone to class. If using a laptop, please visit https://b.socrative.com/login/student/ or if using a
cell phone please download the Socrative Student app from Apple, Chrome webstore, or Google
Play. *If you need a technological device please let me know and I will make arrangements.
• I know that some of you prefer to take notes on your laptops, which is fine. However, please refrain
from being on non-class related websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Google chat, Amazon). Also,
please take out headphones and earphones when in class. Such behaviors may result in me asking
you to leave the classroom and will negatively affect your attendance grade.

Communication and Email

All Students should activate and regularly check their SIUE e-mail account and Blackboard accounts
associated with this class. All class communication will be done through these two platforms. I WILL
NOT send communication about the class to personal email accounts. When emailing please put the
Course Number in the Subject Line of the Email, for example PSYC 421: Question about Assignment.
All emails will be returned in 48 hours unless I notify you otherwise. **See Email Policy at the end of
the Syllabus

Professional Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves as mature and responsible adults while enrolled in this
course. Be cognizant that side conversations in class can be distracting to the instructor and your
classmates. Please show respect for others when they speak. Behavior meant to demean or belittle a
class member will not be tolerated. Also, student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to
conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be
tolerated.

Accommodations
Students needing accommodations because of medical diagnosis or major life impairment will need to
register with Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) and complete an
intake process before accommodations will be given. The ACCESS office is located in the Student
Success Center, Room 1270. You can also reach the office by e-mail at [email protected] or by
calling 618.650.3726. For more information on policies, procedures, or necessary forms, please visit the
ACCESS website at www.siue.edu/access.

Children in the classroom

I never want a student to have to choose between their education and caring for their child; therefore, I
have the following policy regarding children in the classroom: All exclusively breastfeeding babies are
welcome in class as often as is necessary. For older children and babies, I understand that minor
illnesses and unforeseen disruptions in childcare often put parents in the position of having to choose
between missing class to stay home with a child and leaving him or her with someone you or the child
does not feel comfortable with. While this is not meant to be a long-term childcare solution, occasionally
bringing a child to class in order to cover gaps in care is perfectly acceptable. I ask that all students
work with me to create a welcoming environment that is respectful of all forms of diversity,
including diversity in parenting status.

PSYC 421-001 Syllabus page 4

Department of Psychology Policy on Incomplete Grades and Withdrawal
All withdrawals must be completed by the end of the 13th week of classes during fall and spring, and by
a similarly late date (i.e., before 82% of class meetings have occurred) in any summer term. Grades that
apply to students who initiate a withdrawal and grades that apply when a student fails to officially
withdraw within established deadlines are determined by university policy (see
http://www.siue.edu/policies/1j1.shtml). The granting of a grade of I (Incomplete) is not automatic. It is
available only in cases when a student has completed most of the work required for a class but is
prevented by a medical or similar emergency from completing a small portion of the coursework before
the deadline for grade submission. An I must be approved by the instructor with appropriate
documentation provided by the student. If an instructor agrees to give a student an I, the instructor will
fill out a Memorandum of Incomplete Grade to be kept with the student’s records. If the work is not
completed by the time specified on the Memorandum, the student’s grade will be changed from I to F.

The Psychology Department’s Policy on Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes presenting someone else’s words without quotation marks (even if you cite the
source), presenting someone else’s ideas without citing that source, or presenting one’s own previous
work as though it were new. When paraphrasing from another source or your own work, at the very
least, the student should change the wording, sentence syntax, and order of ideas presented in the paper.
Additionally, you should not submit a paper, or parts of a paper, written to fulfill the requirements of
one class for the requirements in another class without prior approval of the current instructor and
appropriate citation. Ideally, the student will integrate ideas from multiple sources while providing
critical commentary on the topic in a way that clearly identifies whether words and ideas are those of the
student or are from another source. Plagiarism is one type of academic misconduct described in SIUE's
Student Academic Code (http://www.siue.edu/policies/3c2.shtml). University policy states that
“Normally a student who plagiarizes shall receive a grade of F in the course in which the act occurs. The
offense shall also be reported to the Provost.” (http://www.siue.edu/policies/1i6.shtml). The University
policy discusses additional academic sanctions including suspension and expulsion from the University.

PSYC 421-001 Syllabus page 5

 Course Schedule (Subject to Change)
Date Topic & Readings Activity
1/13 Course Introduction & Syllabus Review CA1: Syllabus Space Race
1/15 Psychological Testing and Assessment Ch 1 TDP Assigned
1/20 Martin Luther King Day - No Class
Historical, Cultural, and Legal/Ethical
1/22 Ch 2
Considerations
1/27 Historical Considerations cont… Podcast CA2: Podcast Discussion
1/29 Test Development Ch 8
2/3 Test Development Ch 8
TDP: Checkpoint 1 due on BB
2/5 Writing Day – No Class
Review for Exam 1 on BB
2/10 EXAM #1 (Ch 1, 2, 8)
CA3: Qualtrics Tutorial & Question
2/12 Test Project Work: Survey Development
Refinement
2/17 A Statistics Refresher Ch 3
2/19 Group Work Day – No Class TDP: Checkpoint 2 due via Qualtrics
2/24 Of Tests and Testing Ch 4
2/26 Reliability Ch 5
CA4: Collect Test Project Data
3/2 Test Project Work: Data Collection
Review for Exam 2 in class
3/4 EXAM #2 (CHAPTERS 3, 4, 5)
3/9 &
Spring Break
3/11
3/16 Validity Ch 6
Test Project Work: Analyze Test Project CA5: Computing Reliability and
3/18
Data Validity (In Computer Lab)
3/23 Intelligence and Its Measurement Ch 9
3/25 Intelligence and Its Measurement Podcast CA7: Podcast Discussion
Test Project Work: Writing Up Your
3/30 CA6: Methods/Results Drafts
Results
4/1 Assessment for Education Ch 10
CA8: College Admissions Challenge
4/6 Assessment for Education
Review for Exam 3 in class
4/8 EXAM # 3 (CHAPTERS 6, 9, 10)
4/13 Clinical and Counseling Assessment Ch 13 TDP: Checkpoint 3 Due in Class
4/15 Neuropsychological Assessment Ch 14 TDP: Project Paper Due
4/20 Personality Assessment: An Overview Ch 11
4/22 Personality Assessment Methods Ch 12
Senior Research Assignment CA9: Attend SRA/EXPO & Submit
4/27
/Psychology EXPO – No Class selfie at a Poster via BB
Luxton CA10: Article Discussion
4/29 Forensic Assessment
(2019) Review for Exam 4 in class
5/4 Final Exam @ 2:00 – 3:40 pm (CHAPTERS 11, 12, 13, 14)

PSYC 421-001 Syllabus page 6

 Email Policy
The ability to send a brief, on-topic email is a professional skill that you will likely use for the rest of
your career. Here are a few illustrative examples of emails to which I will and will not respond.
Emails I will answer:
“Dr. Conoyer,
I’m a little worried about getting my paper done in time for the deadline. I’m working 30 hours a week
and I was planning on working on the paper this weekend, but my aunt just passed away and I’m going
to have to go to Kansas City for the funeral this weekend. Can I come talk to you in office hours about
this?” -Student”

“Dr. Conoyer- I know the paper is due tomorrow, but I am having trouble with getting my paper
uploaded via blackboard. I have called the IT office, restarted my computer, and have asked a friend for
help but am still having trouble getting it to work. Is this something I can send to you via email?
Thanks, Student”

“Dr. Conoyer – I’m sorry to have to do this, but I’m going to have miss class today. My car broke down
this morning and I live in St. Louis, and I have no other way to get to campus. I know I can’t make up
the quizzes that I missed today, but I have a few questions about the chapters we read today. Can I set up
an appointment to talk with you?”
Sincerely- Student”

Emails I will NOT answer:

“hey, what do I need for the class activity/review/etc today?”

“Dr. Conoyer- I had a really bad fight with my roommate last night and I’ve been crying my eyes out all
night. I just know that, even if I did come to class today, I wouldn’t even be paying attention anyway. To
make it all worse, I’m totally stressed over my grad school applications, and I have three different
meetings this week for my on-campus clubs, and I really need a mental health day! Anyway, I just can’t
make it to class. Would you mind emailing me the slides for today’s lecture? I don’t want all this stress
to affect my grade.”

There are several things “wrong” with this email, but the most concerning are the overwhelming
divulgence of personal details and the lack of responsibility for oneself. That being said, any time you
are facing an overwhelming number of life stressors, don’t hesitate to make your professors aware of
the situation as professionally as possible, as well as seek out appropriate resources, such as
Counseling Services - (618) 650-2842.

If you send me email that is inadequately punctuated, capitalized, incoherent, rude, otherwise
unprofessional or is a question that has an answer clearly outlined in the syllabus, I won’t respond. If
you don’t hear back from me within 48 hours, or by the end of the day on Monday if you emailed me
over the weekend, assume that the email was improperly formatted, and try again.
PSYC 421-001 Syllabus page 7