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Foundations of Psychological Testing
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Foundations of Psychological Testing
A Practical Approach

Sixth Edition
January 2019 | 592 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Foundations of Psychological Testing: A Practical Approach by Leslie A. Miller and Robert L. Lovler presents a clear introduction to the basics of psychological testing as well as psychometrics and statistics. Aligned with the 2014 Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, this practical book includes discussion of foundational concepts and issues using real-life examples and situations that students will easily recognize, relate to, and find interesting. A variety of pedagogical tools furthers the conceptual understanding needed for effective use of tests and test scores. The Sixth Edition includes updated references and examples, new In Greater Depth boxes for deeper coverage of complex topics, and a streamlined organization for enhanced readability. 

 

INSTRUCTORS: Bundle Foundations of Psychological Testing with the Student Workbook, featuring critical thinking and practical exercises, for only $5 more! Bundle ISBN: 978-1-5443-6670-8

 

 


 
Preface
 
About the Authors
 
SECTION I. OVERVIEW OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
 
Chapter 1. What Are Psychological Tests?
Why Should You Care About Psychological Testing?

 
What Is a Psychological Test?

 
The History of Psychological Testing

 
The Three Defining Characteristics of Psychological Tests

 
Assumptions of Psychological Tests

 
Test Classification Methods

 
Psychological Assessment, Psychological Tests, Measurements, and Surveys

 
Locating Information About Tests

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 2. Why Is Psychological Testing Important?
Types of Decisions Made Using Psychological Test Results

 
Which Professionals Use Psychological Tests and for What Reasons?

 
Psychological Testing Controversies

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 3. What Are the Ethical Responsibilities of Test Publishers, Test Users, and Test Takers?
What Are Ethics?

 
Professional Practice Standards

 
Certification and Licensure

 
General Responsibilities of Test Publishers, Test Users, and Test Takers

 
Testing Special Populations

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
SECTION II. PSYCHOMETRIC PRINCIPLES
 
Chapter 4. How Do Test Users Interpret Test Scores?
Levels of Measurement

 
Procedures for Interpreting Test Scores

 
Standard Scores

 
The Role of Norms

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 5. What Is Test Reliability/Precision?
What Is Reliability/Precision?

 
Classical Test Theory

 
Three Categories of Reliability Coefficients

 
The Reliability Coefficient

 
Interpreting Reliability Coefficients

 
Factors That Influence Reliability

 
Generalizability Theory

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 6. How Do We Gather Evidence of Validity Based on the Content of a Test?
Sources of Evidence of Validity

 
Use of Various Sources of Evidence of Validity

 
Evidence of Validity Based on Test Content

 
Face Validity

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 7. How Do We Gather Evidence of Validity Based on Test–Criterion Relationships?
What Is Evidence of Validity Based on Test–Criterion Relationships?

 
Methods for Providing Evidence of Validity Based on Test–Criterion Relationships

 
Selecting a Criterion

 
Does the Criterion Measure What It Is Supposed to Measure?

 
Calculating and Evaluating Validity Coefficients

 
The Relationship Between Reliability and Validity

 
Using Validity Information to Make Predictions

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 8. How Do We Gather Evidence of Validity Based on a Test’s Relation to Constructs?
The Notion of Construct Validity

 
Gathering Evidence of Construct Validity

 
Factor Analysis

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
SECTION III. DEVELOPING AND PILOTING SURVEYS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
 
Chapter 9. How Do We Construct and Administer Surveys and Use Survey Data?
Similarities and Differences Between Surveys and Psychological Tests

 
Survey Software

 
The Scientific Approach to Constructing, Administering, and Using Survey Data

 
Survey Reliability/Precision and Validity

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 10. How Do We Develop a Test?
Why Develop a New Test?

 
Defining the Testing Universe, Audience, and Purpose

 
Developing a Test Plan

 
Composing the Test Items

 
Writing Effective Items

 
Writing the Administration Instructions

 
Conducting the Pilot Test

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 11. How Do We Assess the Psychometric Quality of a Test?
Conducting Quantitative Item Analysis

 
Conducting Qualitative Item Analysis

 
Revising the Test

 
Validating the Test

 
Ethical Issues Associated With Test Validation

 
Developing Norms and Identifying Cut Scores

 
Compiling the Test Manual

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
SECTION IV. USING TESTS IN DIFFERENT SETTINGS
 
Chapter 12. How Are Tests Used in Educational Settings?
Types of Decisions Made in the Educational Setting

 
Educational Professionals as Test Users

 
Standards Specific to Educational Professionals as Test Users

 
Specific Uses of Psychological Tests in Educational Settings

 
Norm-Referenced, Criterion-Referenced, and Authentic Assessment of Achievement

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 13. How Are Tests Used in Clinical and Counseling Settings?
The Work of Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

 
Mental Health Practitioners' Use of Psychological Tests

 
Case Examples of How Tests Are Used in Clinical and Counseling Settings

 
Psychological Testing in Depth: Assessing Autism, Depression, and Alzheimer’s Disease

 
Evidence-Based Assessment

 
The Psychological Testing Report and Client Feedback

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Chapter 14. How Are Tests Used in Organizational Settings?
Pre-Employment Testing

 
Performance Appraisal

 
Chapter Summary

 
Engaging in the Learning Process

 
Key Concepts

 
Critical Thinking Questions

 
 
Appendix A: Test Spotlights
 
Appendix B: Guidelines for Critiquing a Psychological Test
 
Appendix C: Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education
 
Appendix D: Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
 
Appendix E: Table of Critical Values for Pearson Product–Moment Correlation Coefficients
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Author Index
 
Subject Index

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site

study.sagepub.com/miller6e

Free online resources for instructors are available on the password-protected Instructor Resource Site.

  • Test Banks for each chapter provide a diverse range of questions with the opportunity to edit any question and/or insert personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding.
  • Editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint slides offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation.
  • Lecture Notes provide fully crafted summaries and chapter outlines that follow the structure of each chapter, providing an essential reference and teaching tool for course lectures.

“The textbook provides an excellent, psychometrically-grounded introduction to using psychological tests in a variety of practical settings.”

Jane L. Swanson
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

“I like the clear connection to the 2014 Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Students can understand this professional agreement and align their learning with current practice.”

Elizabeth K. Gray
North Park University

“Good textbook for upper-level psychology majors to learn about testing and psychometrics.”

Holly E. Tatum
Randolph College

Excellent text with full coverage of the material, easy to understand, great test bank.

Dr Jose Rodriguez
Psychology Dept, Florida International Univ
September 4, 2019
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