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December, 2018 | SAGE Publications, Inc

Foundations of Psychological Testing

A Practical Approach

Sixth Edition
Leslie Anne Miller - Consultant, LanneM TM LLC, Florida, USA
Robert L. Lovler - Senior Vice President, Global HR, Wilson Learning Corp.
592 pages | December, 2018 | 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • Critical thinking questions linked to learning objectives at the end of each chapter provide opportunities for students to check their understanding of the material at higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy.
  • In Greater Depth boxes contain more complex information that instructors can choose to cover or skip at their discretion without losing instructional continuity.
  • More detailed concept maps at the beginning of each section graphically organize the relationship between concepts and ideas presented in each chapter within each section.
  • Brief introductions to validity and survey chapters explain the reasoning for and organization of the chapters in the text.
  • A student workbook to accompany the text actively engages students in the learning process with critical thinking and practical exercises.


 KEY FEATURES:

  • A conversational style is used to present information at a comfortable reading level that  students can easily understand.
  • Real-life examples that illustrate concepts draw from the testing literature and the authors’ own experiences.
  • Section Previews prepare students to receive the material to be covered with detailed concept maps.
  • Chapter-opening narratives provide students with means to identify with the material by relating them to their own experiences.
  • Learning Objectives set expectations for what students should know and be able to do after studying the chapter.
  • For Your Information, In the News, and On the Web boxes provide supplemental coverage of particular topics and resources for further exploration.