The midterm will be an in-class, closed-book exam worth up to 100 points.

The midterm will consist of two sections.  Part A will consist of five terms which you must define in one or two sentences.  For example, if the term is "criterion-referenced test", you may define it as "a test in which the respondent's score is compared to some actual level of functioning or specific behavior."  Each definition is worth up to five points.

Part B will consist of three short essay questions (1-2 written pages).  These questions will require you to write a well-constructed answer consisting of at least a few paragraphs.  In addition to the accuracy, clarity, organization, thoughtfulness, and thoroughness of your answer, spelling and grammar will be graded.  Each essay question will be worth up to 25 points.

PART A GUIDE: 5 of the following definitions will appear on the midterm, each worth up to 5 points.

phases of clinical assessment
standardized test
ipsative interpretation
norm-referenced interpretation
percentile
T score
test-retest reliability
internal consistency reliability
standard error of measurement
standard error of estimate
confidence interval
sensitivity versus specificity
face validity
criterion-related validity
incremental validity
inviolacy
worldview
level of acculturation
test bias
transliteration
interview tactic
Mental Status Exam
fund of information
treatment plan
psychological report - impressions and interpretations
RIASEC
group-difference approach to measuring interests
 

PART B GUIDE: 3 of the following essay questions will appear on the midterm, each worth up to 25 points.

1. Describe the role of assessment in the work of a clinician by addressing these questions.  First, what does assessment accomplish?  Second, what is the domain of constructs with which assessment is concerned?  Third, how does assessment differ from testing?  Finally, based on Groth-Marnat's (2009) conceptual model for interpreting assessment data, how would you summarize the process of assessment?

2. Because assessment can have a profound effect on clients' lives, clincians need to consider clients' rights.  Appropriate and ethical assessment entails consideration for what is in a client's best interests.  In particular, it is critical that clinicians attend to issues related to the right of privacy, the right to results, the right to confidentiality, and the right to the least stigmatizing label.  Articulate these rights and explain their importance.

3. Many tests used in clinical practice utilize norm-referenced interpretation strategies.  What is the role of the standardization sample in this method of interpretation?  What are some important issues with respect to the standardization sample?  Finally, what are examples of how an individual's test score might be expressed in norm-referenced tests and when are these ordinarily used?

4. Describe the concept of reliability of measurement and discuss why it is important in the assessment process.  As part of your response, describe at least two methods of estimating reliability along with the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

5. Compare and contrast content, construct, and criterion-related validity.  What information does one get about assessment procedures from each form of validity?  In what ways are they distinct from one another?  Which, if any, is the "best" form of validity?

6. What are the assets and liabilities of the assessment interview?  Address your remarks specifically to unstructured versus structured interview formats.  Provide an informal cost-benefit analysis of the assessment interview in light of its clinical functions and psychometric properties.

7. You have just finished developing a new test to diagnose eating disorders.  While examining data from the standardization sample of your test, you notice that African-American respondents scored 10 T-score points higher than European-American respondents.  What additional data, if any, do you need to assess the extent to which you test is racially or cultural biased and how would you go about making this determination?  What are the implications of this test being biased?  Finally, describe a way in which the bias may be reduced without changing item content.

8. Groth-Marnot describes seven dimensions relevant to treatment planning.  Briefly describe each of these and mention how you might plan treatment for different people with different levels of these dimensions (you can address this one dimension at a time).

9. Support the view that the assessment of interests is an important skill for clinicians.  Enumerate both general and specific domains of interest that are measured by the SII and describe how the scales that measure these domains of interest were constructed.  Articulate a general strategy for interpreting SII results to clients and how you would approach interpretive challenges, such as flat profiles, elevated profiles, and opposed interests.  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the SII from psychometric and clinical perspectives?  Finally, what domains in addition to interests should be assessed in order to facilitate career decision-making?