San José State University Psychology Department Psy117: Psychological Tests and Measures, Section 4 Fall 2017 Instructor: Thomas A. Shirley, Ph.D. Office Location: Business Tower (BT) 557 Email: Office Hours: thomas.shirley@sjsu.edu Tuesdays, 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM (By Appointment) or when convenient for student and professor or via Phone (By Appointment) Class Days/Time: Tuesdays, 3:00 PM - 5:45 PM Classroom: Clark Hall 117 Prerequisites: Stat 95 Copies of this syllabus may be found on the Psychology Department s homepage at: http://www.sjsu.edu/people/thomas.shirley and on Canvas course site in the Files > Syllabus section. Course Description Test and questionnaire construction, evaluation and interpretation applied to intelligence and ability tests, personality and adjustment questionnaires, ratings and behavioral observation techniques. Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives Course Content Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Recognize the major uses of psychological measurement procedures. 2. Recognize principles of administrating, scoring, and interpreting psychological measures. 3. Understand basic descriptive statistics as applied in psychological measurement. 4. Identify and differentiate among the major ways of estimating reliability and validity. 5. Recognize the major characteristics, advantages, limitations, and proper uses of the following types of psychological measures: a. tests of intelligence b. tests of abilities and aptitudes
c. objective clinical measures d. projective clinical measures e. observational methods f. rating scales Required Texts/Readings Textbook Salkind, N. J. (2013), Tests & Measurement for People Who (Think They) Hate Tests & Measurement. (2 nd Ed). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. ISBN-13: 978-1412989756 ISBN-10: 1412989752 NOTE: Students can get any edition, including international, ebook, or other cheaper versions. Just be sure that the topics in the Table of Contents are the same as the ones we will cover our class (see syllabus schedule). Paper or digital copies may also be available for rent (vs. purchase) through the university bookstore and vendors like Amazon.com, which will likely be less expensive. Other Readings Articles from online or print psychology magazines or newspapers may be added to provide current, real-world examples of topics discussed in class. Other equipment / material requirements Canvas, the SJSU learning management system, will be heavily leveraged for communication, assignments, lecture presentations, quizzes, etc. Therefore, students need to set the system to automatically forward Canvas messages to their preferred regular email address. In addition, students need to be aware of the information and documents available in Canvas, before requesting the professor. Classroom Protocol 1. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. This includes coming to class on time and having reading assignments done in advance. 2. Class attendance and participation is an important component of this course. Though attendance will not be formally taken, students will be responsible for in-class projects that will require active course involvement. 3. Handouts and/or additional readings may be distributed during class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain copies of course notes and handouts from a colleague. Students will be responsible for content from every class, regardless of attendance. 4. Please make sure that any use of technological devices will not disrupt the class. Class Participation
1. As in the real working environment, students will be expected to come to class prepared to contribute to class discussions. This means, reading and thinking through the key topics in the assigned reading. Students are not expected to be experts in the topics. The professor recognizes that students are taking the course to develop their understanding of these topics. However, they must have a basic understanding of the topics of the assigned readings. Only then can we have fruitful class discussions. 2. Most classes will involve group and individual exercises analyzing and discussing current real-world cases related to the reading assignment topics. This approach is designed to provide examples of the topics applied by individuals or organizations to support the concrete understanding of the topics. 3. Class attendance is at your discretion, but STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Since I use class time not to go over the readings but to add to it and to provide you with the opportunity to have me clarify points you haven't understood, so you will likely do better if you come to class than if you don't. Moreover, if there is a discrepancy between what is written in the text or elsewhere and what I have said in class, the latter takes precedence. Dropping and Adding Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic calendar web page located at: http://www.sjsu.edu/academic_programs/calendars/academic_calendar/. The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes. Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/. Assignments and Grading Policy Extra Credit Assignments Not Applicable Exams Mid-term and Final Exam ONLY verifiable emergency circumstances will be recognized by the instructor as a valid reason for a student to reschedule an exam. A student having exams in courses that total nine or more units in one day may request an alternative exam date from one of his/her instructors at least three weeks prior to the last class meeting (if the student and instructor are unable to agree on rescheduling, the department chairperson shall negotiate an appropriate solution). Rescheduled exams should be taken during the make-up period. Students who do not take the final examination during the scheduled time will ordinarily receive an "F" grade. If eligible and in VERY rare cases, a student may arrange with the instructor to receive an incomplete grade.
Quizzes There will be quizzes over the assigned reading due in the online learning management system BEFORE each class day s starting time. There may also be a few pop quizzes throughout the term sometime during class time. Quizzes questions will cover basic concepts and terms to ensure students have read the assigned reading, so they are prepared to contribute to class discussions. Term Project Quizzes will be objective questions in True/False and/or Multiple Choice format. IMPORTANT: There will be NO make up quizzes for any reason. A major component of this course is to gain practical experience by learning how to administer, score and report results of tests in different areas. By using free sources that the professor will provide and other similar sources, students can find a test from these public sources or a test that they are personally familiar with. They can then administer and score the test and write a report summarizing the results of test administration. A small group of students (not more than 6) may collaborate on selecting, administering, and scoring a test as a group with each member of the team writing her/his own paper. Students will also conduct a group presentation on their projects. Team Member Performance Expectations: Team members should be PRO-actively participating on teams, by communicating and taking initiative to contribute a fair share of the workload. Pro-active participation includes, but is not limited to: o Consistently attending end-of-class team meetings o Coming to meetings well-prepared, i.e. having read the required chapters and research for that stage of the project o Completing deliverables in advance of agreed upon deadlines o Communicating with team frequently, promptly, and with well-prepared information. o Helping other team members with their part of the project. o Treating other team members or classmates with courtesy and respect. If an individual team member is not sufficiently contributing to the project, e.g. not attending meetings, providing valuable input, late on deadlines, selecting only easy tasks, etc., other team members should talk to or email the professor directly as soon as possible. Do not wait until deadlines, since there this will provide little time for correction of behaviors. Insufficient individual team member performance may directly negatively affect team members project grades severely, e.g., 30 to 50 points off. However, the project grade for other team members will not be negatively affected. All individual team member presentation grades are pending feedback from other team members. In summary, each individual team member needs to bring some exceptional value to the table. Otherwise, you are not contributing to the team's efforts.
Because communication skills are an essential to succeeding in work environment, your project will be evaluated not only for content but also for the clarity and precision of the writing. The clarity and quality of your communications skills will affect the grade you earn for the assignment so you should aim to proofread it carefully before submitting it. I also take into account the logic with which you develop an argument and the overall organization of the paper. The project paper you submit may exceed the guidelines, but I will take into consideration the 'contribution density'. An analysis that is long but says little will get a lower grade than one that makes the same points using fewer words. You should therefore take considerable care, once you have developed a draft, to ensure that you are not repeating yourselves and that there is nothing in your analysis that is superfluous. I would like all papers to be 12 point Times New Roman, double-spaced with one inch margins all round. SPSS (Statistical Software) Available FREE in Stats lab, DMH 350, or in most computer labs on campus (or for $15 personal copy). The Stats lab (DMH 350) is open 20 hours per week. Here is the information on SPSS licensing at SJSU: http://www.sjsu.edu/at/hd/software/licensing/ Excerpt from above webpage: All faculty, staff and/or currently enrolled students are covered by the university's site license with SPSS. The Academic Technology Computer Center, located on the first floor of Clark Hall in room 102, sells install media for $15 for either Mac or Windows. This media comes with an install code that is renewed once a year. People purchasing this software must come in person and will be asked to provide evidence of their affiliation with the university. Minimally this is a photo ID and a tower card number. We use this to verify a client's university affiliation. The best ID to bring is your tower card. The media can be copied and/or shared by clients with others, as long as it is shared only with people who are faculty, staff and/or currently enrolled students of SJSU. To get SPSS please come to the Academic Technology Computer Center during our normal business hours. Grading Percentage Breakdown Quizzes 20% Mid-term Team Presentation 10% Final Team Presentation 10% Project Paper (Midterm 5% & Final 5%) 10% Mid-term Exam 25% Final Exam 25% Total 100%
Course Schedule CLASS DATE Aug. 29 CLASS AGENDA / TOPIC Discuss: ASSIGNMENT (IN PREP FOR NEXT CLASS DAY) Syllabus and Teaching Style Project o Team and Project Management o Sample presentations and Final Papers Chapter 1: Why Measurement? An Introduction Research Methods PPT Slides Chapter 1: Why Measurement? An Introduction Chapter 2: Levels of Measurement Sept. 5 Introductions Establish Teams & Meet Decide on constructs to study Exchange contact info. Email professor: o Class & Section Numbers o Full Canvas names of team members Research Methods (No Quiz) Chapter 1: Why Measurement? An Introduction Chapter 2: Levels of Measurement Decide on test to study Chapter 3: Reliability Decide on test to study Sept. 12 Tuesday: MIDTERM PROJECT PLAN DUE Chapter 4: Validity Chapter 3: Reliability Decide on test to study Sept. 19 Chapter 4: Validity Chapter 6: Short Answer and Completion Items Chapter 7: Essay Items Chapter 8: Multiple-Choice Items Chapter 10: True-False Items Sept. 26 DUE: TEST/s CHOICE Chapter 6: Short Answer and Completion Items Chapter 7: Essay Items Chapter 8: Multiple-Choice Items
Chapter 10: True-False Items Oct. 3 MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS DUE (95% DRAFT) Prepare Midterm Presentation (95% Draft) Due: Midterm Presentation (95% Draft) o Each team member s section should be 95% completed and uploaded into Canvas by class start time o Professor will review every slide of each team o Professor will provide answer to specific questions o Work on project in class as teams Oct. 10 Oct. 17 NOTE: One team member uploads presentation for entire team BEFORE class start time STUDY GUIDE: MIDTERM EXAM MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS DUE (FINAL DRAFT) 1. Team 1 2. Team 2 BREAK 3. Team 3 4. Team 4 NOTE: One team member uploads presentation for entire team BEFORE class start time the day your team presents. MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS DUE (FINAL DRAFT) 1. Team 5 2. Team 6 BREAK 3. Team 7 4. Team 8 NOTE: One team member uploads presentation for entire team BEFORE class start time the day your team presents. Prepare Midterm Presentation (Final Draft) Prepare for Midterm Exam Oct. 24 MIDTERM EXAM (Topics to date) In Regular Classroom on Laptop
On Canvas in Quizzes section Download & Test Respondus Lockdown Browser Can borrow a laptop at MLK, 4 th floor Appendix A: Data Analysis Oct. 31 Project Team Meetings: Discuss Final Project Plan Tuesday: FINAL PROJECT PLAN DUE Appendix A: Data Analysis Prepare: Chapter 18: Test Bias Fair for Everyone? Intro to SPSS PPT Midterm Project Papers Nov. 7 Tuesday: MIDTERM PROJECT PAPERS DUE Each student writes about their own parts of the Midterm Presentation individually, and then put all individual parts together as one, integrated project team paper. NOTE: One team member uploads paper for entire team Prepare: Data Analysis o Using Project Dataset o Correlation o T-test Chapter 18: Test Bias Fair for Everyone? Discuss: Intro. to SPSS In Regular Classroom Bring laptop Download & Test SPSS Can borrow a laptop at MLK, 4 th floor Nov. 14 DATA ANALYSIS DUE (95% DRAFT) Prepare Final Presentation (95% Draft) Project Data Analysis Workshop o Professor will review dataset and data analysis results of each team o Professor will provide answers to specific questions o Work on data analysis in class as teams o Can borrow a laptop at MLK, 4 th floor NOTE: One team member uploads dataset and data analysis results as SPSS files for entire team BEFORE class start time Nov. 21 FINAL PRESENTATIONS DUE Prepare Team Presentations
Nov. 28 Dec. 5 (95% DRAFT) Tuesday: Due: Final Presentation (95% Draft) o Each team member s section should be 95% completed and uploaded into Canvas by class start time o Professor will review every slide of each team o Professor will provide answer to specific questions o Work on project in class as teams NOTE: One team member uploads presentation for entire team BEFORE class start time STUDY GUIDE: FINAL EXAM FINAL PRESENTATIONS DUE (FINAL DRAFT) 1. Team 5 2. Team 6 BREAK 3. Team 7 4. Team 8 NOTE: One team member uploads presentation for entire team BEFORE class start time the day your team presents. FINAL PRESENTATIONS DUE (FINAL DRAFT) 1. Team 1 2. Team 2 BREAK 3. Team 3 4. Team 4 NOTE: One team member uploads presentation for entire team BEFORE class start time the day your team presents. Prepare Team Presentations Prepare for Final Exam (Non- Cumulative) Thursday, December 14, 2:45 5:00 pm 2:45 PM: FINAL EXAM (Non-Cumulative) In Regular Classroom on Laptop Can borrow a laptop at MLK, 4 th floor Prepare Final Project Papers
On Canvas in Quizzes section Download & Test Respondus Lockdown Browser 4:00 pm: Career Management: The Do s and Don ts Sunday, Dec. 17, 11:59 pm FINAL PROJECT PAPERS DUE Each student writes about their own parts of the Final Presentation individually, and then put all individual parts together as one, integrated project team paper. NOTE: One team member uploads paper for entire team University Policies Academic integrity Students should know that the University s Academic Integrity Policy is available at http://sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/faculty_and_staff/academic_integrity/index.html. Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University s integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html. Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. If you would like to include in your assignment any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU s Academic Policy F06-1 requires approval of instructors. Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/ to establish a record of their disability.