Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
Measurement is fundamental to both civilisation and science. In particular, the ability to evaluate people provides arguably one of the most challenging and yet potentially world-changing applications of measurement theory. This course will provide introductory training in the application of measurement techniques and principles required for research and practice in psychology. Diverse examples of practical applications of this knowledge within psychology and beyond will be provided in order to demonstrate its universal relevance. Topics that will be introduced include psychometric theory, measurement in behavioural research, competent and appropriate use of psychological tests, clinical neuropsychological assessment, personnel assessment, educational testing, intelligence testing, and personality testing. Students will receive hands-on training in how to create and validate their own behavioural measurement instrument. The aim of this course is to provide students with a foundation in how to apply measurement theory in their future careers, whether in the field of psychology or elsewhere.
Thanks for enrolling in PSYC3020 – I hope you enjoy the course! My aim is to help you develop the skills to be able to measure human behaviour effectively and use these skills to increase your future success both in your career and any future education. The course is also designed to help you improve the general graduate skills that your future employers will want. I am also using a number of strategies to minimise the number of students who fail this course, without undermining the value of your degree.
Course requirements
Assumed background
See course recommended pre-requisites above. In particular, a 2nd year level knowledge of statistics is required.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PSYC2010
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Guest lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
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Aims and outcomes
The course provides an introduction to psychometric knowledge which underpins the competent use of psychological tests and which also relates to the conduct of research.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of psychometric issues and how to apply this understanding in a range of situations involving psychological assessment.
LO2.
Create an online survey, deploy it, collect data, upload that data, and analyse it.
LO3.
Create a proposal for a behavioural measure, including how to evaluate its psychometric properties.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
10 Tutorial Worksheets
|
20% Best 7 out of 10 Tutorial Worksheet marks |
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 4/08/2025 - 8/08/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 25/08/2025 - 29/08/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial (though you can also complete this particular one outside of the tutorial) 1/09/2025 - 8/09/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 8/09/2025 - 12/09/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 15/09/2025 - 19/09/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 22/09/2025 - 26/09/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial (though you can also complete this particular one outside of the tutorial) 13/10/2025 - 20/10/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial (though you can also complete this particular one outside of the tutorial) 20/10/2025 - 31/10/2025 You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 27/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
There are 3 worksheets where you can submit them after the tutorials if you want. These are the ones in Weeks 6 and 11 (can submitted up to the following Monday 8am), and the one in Week 12 (can be submitted up to Week 13, Friday 7pm). |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Written Assignment Part 1
|
20% |
19/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Written Assignment Part 2
|
20% |
31/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Examination
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
10 Tutorial Worksheets
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 20% Best 7 out of 10 Tutorial Worksheet marks
- Due date
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 4/08/2025 - 8/08/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 18/08/2025 - 22/08/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 25/08/2025 - 29/08/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial (though you can also complete this particular one outside of the tutorial) 1/09/2025 - 8/09/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 8/09/2025 - 12/09/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 15/09/2025 - 19/09/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 22/09/2025 - 26/09/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial (though you can also complete this particular one outside of the tutorial) 13/10/2025 - 20/10/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial (though you can also complete this particular one outside of the tutorial) 20/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 27/10/2025 - 31/10/2025
There are 3 worksheets where you can submit them after the tutorials if you want. These are the ones in Weeks 6 and 11 (can submitted up to the following Monday 8am), and the one in Week 12 (can be submitted up to Week 13, Friday 7pm).
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
· You will be completing 10 tutorial worksheets (one in each tutorial).
· Your scores for your 7 highest-scoring tutorial worksheets out of 10 will contribute to 20% of your course mark.
· If you do not complete any of the worksheets, then you will receive a score of 0 for those missing worksheets.
· Seven of the tutorial worksheets (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 10) will be ID-verified, closed-book, and invigilated. They can ONLY be completed in your designated tutorial. You will have 20 minutes to complete these worksheets. The timer cannot be paused i.e., if you exit from the worksheet page, the 20-minute timer will continue to count down. You will need to memorise lecture and tutorial content in advance to complete these worksheets.
· The remaining three tutorial worksheets (4, 8, and 9) can be completed outside of the tutorials if you cannot attend (open-book, not invigilated, no preparation required). These three worksheets are untimed. If you are completing these worksheets outside of the tutorial and need help, then you can seek email support from your tutor or use the Q&A forum.
· The tutorial worksheets can be assessed from the course website (https://learn.uq.edu.au/ - Assessment) and will consist of:
o Lecture content questions (these will typically be multiple-choice questions on the previous week’s lecture – see the following table for details).
o Tutorial activity questions (these will typically be based on activities completed during the previous week’s tutorial – see the following table for details).
Submission guidelines
You will complete the tutorial worksheets in each tutorial. Please refer to the Tutorial Worksheet Briefing document in the course website for further details.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
See the Tutorial Worksheet Briefing document for details. Contact the course co-ordinator if you have further questions.
Written Assignment Part 1
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
19/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
You will be writing a research proposal to develop a behavioural measure. The assignment will be submitted in 2 separate parts. Full details will be provided in the Assignment Briefing, available on the course website (click on "Assessments").
Hurdle requirements
To pass this course, you must submit a reasonable attempt for BOTH parts of the written assignment (otherwise your course grade will be capped at 3, regardless of your overall course mark).Submission guidelines
The assignment should be submitted online via the Written Assignment Part 1 Submission link on the PSYC3020 course website.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Written Assignment Part 2
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
31/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
You will be writing a research proposal to develop a behavioural measure. The assignment will be submitted in 2 separate parts. Full details will be provided in the Assignment Briefing, available on the course website (click on "Assessments").
Hurdle requirements
To pass this course, you must submit a reasonable attempt for BOTH parts of the written assignment (otherwise your course grade will be capped at 3, regardless of your overall course mark).Submission guidelines
The assignment should be submitted online via the Written Assignment Part 2 Submission link on the PSYC3020 course website.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
The Final Examination will consist of 80 multiple choice questions on the lecture content, worth 1 point each (i.e., the Final Examination score will be a mark out of 80, that will be converted into a percentage).
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | Unmarked bilingual dictionary. Writing materials. |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 46.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
To pass this course, you must submit a reasonable attempt for BOTH parts of the written assignment (otherwise your course grade will be capped at 3, regardless of your overall course mark).
ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
All learning resources for this course are available from our Blackboard website at learn.uq.edu.auﾠwhich you should check at least weekly. This includes lecture and tutorial slides, quizzes, quiz preparation materials, assignment materials, and much more.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
IT Computing |
Online Refresher Presentation Watch this online pre-recorded presentation during Week 1. The content will be tested in Quiz 1. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Lecture 1: The Scope of Measurement Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Lecture 2: Standardisation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Lecture 3: Reliability Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture 4: Validity Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture 5 5.1 How to create a test; Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Lecture 6 6.1 Individual Score Interpretation 2; Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture 7: Measuring Intelligence Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Lecture 8: Personality Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9: Test Bias and Test Utility Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Lecture |
Lecture 10: Extreme Psychometrics Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 11: Assessment in clinical psychology Guest lecture by Dr James Kirby Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10 Tutorial activities. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Lecture |
Lecture 12: How to get a career Learning outcomes: L01 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: