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Course profile

Measurement in Psychology (PSYC3020)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
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


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
Tutorial/ Problem Set Tutorial worksheets 20%

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 29/07/2024 - 2/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 5/08/2024 - 9/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 19/08/2024 - 23/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 26/08/2024 - 30/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 2/09/2024 - 6/09/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 9/09/2024 - 13/09/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 16/09/2024 - 20/09/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 30/09/2024 - 4/10/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 14/10/2024 - 18/10/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024

Quiz 10 online quizzes 40%

1/08/2024 - 2/08/2024

8/08/2024 - 9/08/2024

22/08/2024 - 23/08/2024

29/08/2024 - 30/08/2024

5/09/2024 - 6/09/2024

12/09/2024 - 13/09/2024

19/09/2024 - 20/09/2024

3/10/2024 - 4/10/2024

10/10/2024 - 11/10/2024

17/10/2024 - 18/10/2024

You can complete the online quizzes at any time between Thursday 9am and Friday 4pm on the designated week.

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Main assignment - test development proposal
  • Hurdle
40%

11/10/2024 2:00 pm

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

Tutorial worksheets

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
20%
Due date

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 29/07/2024 - 2/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 5/08/2024 - 9/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 19/08/2024 - 23/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 26/08/2024 - 30/08/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 2/09/2024 - 6/09/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 9/09/2024 - 13/09/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 16/09/2024 - 20/09/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 30/09/2024 - 4/10/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 14/10/2024 - 18/10/2024

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in your designated tutorial 21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

• In the 10 tutorials, you will be completing group-based activities that require mentoring support from your tutor (such as statistical analysis). You will complete 10 tutorial worksheets (1 per tutorial) that will contribute to your course mark, and will usually reflect the outcomes of your group’s activities that week. • If you miss a tutorial for an appropriate reason (e.g. illness, SAP, unanticipated transport disaster) then you can complete an alternative online tutorial worksheet (to be submitted within four days of the last tutorial to complete that particular worksheet) to make up for your missed tutorial activities and worksheet (this is different from the quizzes). You will need to complete a declaration stating your appropriate reason (see Blackboard for details). Note that completing the alternative worksheet will probably be substantially more work than attending the tutorial because you will not be provided with support from your tutor and you will have to do activities on your own that otherwise would be completed as part of your team.

Submission guidelines

You will complete the tutorial worksheets in each tutorial. Your tutor will provide you with access and submission instructions.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

If you miss a tutorial for an appropriate reason (e.g., illness, carer duties, SAP, or unexpected transport catastrophes) then you can complete an alternative online tutorial worksheet. This is to be submitted within four days of the last tutorial session for that worksheet (click on the “I missed a tutorial” link in the Blackboard menu). The alternative tutorial worksheets are different from the weekly quizzes. You do not need to obtain advanced permission to complete an alternative worksheet, but you will be asked to complete a statutory declaration statement at the beginning of the worksheet, confirming your appropriate reason for missing the tutorial. Note that completing the alternative worksheet will probably be a more difficult option than coming to the tutorial, because your tutor will not be present to guide you through the activities, and you will have to do activities on your own that otherwise would be distributed throughout your team.

Late submission

If you miss a tutorial for an appropriate reason (e.g., illness, carer duties, SAP, or unexpected transport catastrophes) then you can complete an alternative online tutorial worksheet. This is to be submitted within four days of the last tutorial session for that worksheet (click on the “I missed a tutorial” link in the Blackboard menu). The alternative tutorial worksheets are different from the weekly quizzes. You do not need to obtain advanced permission to complete an alternative worksheet, but you will be asked to complete a statutory declaration statement at the beginning of the worksheet, confirming your appropriate reason for missing the tutorial. Note that completing the alternative worksheet will probably be a more difficult option than coming to the tutorial, because your tutor will not be present to guide you through the activities, and you will have to do activities on your own that otherwise would be distributed throughout your team.

10 online quizzes

Mode
Written
Category
Quiz
Weight
40%
Due date

1/08/2024 - 2/08/2024

8/08/2024 - 9/08/2024

22/08/2024 - 23/08/2024

29/08/2024 - 30/08/2024

5/09/2024 - 6/09/2024

12/09/2024 - 13/09/2024

19/09/2024 - 20/09/2024

3/10/2024 - 4/10/2024

10/10/2024 - 11/10/2024

17/10/2024 - 18/10/2024

You can complete the online quizzes at any time between Thursday 9am and Friday 4pm on the designated week.

Learning outcomes
L01

Task description

There are 10 open-book online quizzes that will be completed via Blackboard from Week 2. The scores from all ten of these quizzes will make up 40% of the student's final course mark.

Submission guidelines

The online quizzes are run via the PSYC3020 Blackboard site. Click on "Assessments" and "Quizzes" to access them.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

If you miss the two-day window for a quiz for an appropriate reason (e.g., extended illness or extended technical problems), then you can take a make-up quiz the following week instead (click on the “I missed a quiz” link in the Blackboard menu). You do not have to obtain permission to take a make-up quiz. However, when you do take it, you MUST submit an online declaration (accessed via a link in Blackboard) explaining the reason for taking the relevant make-up quiz, or your attempt will not be accepted. Acceptance of your reason’s legitimacy is up to the discretion of the course co-ordinator.

Late submission

If you miss the two-day window for a quiz for an appropriate reason (e.g., extended illness or extended technical problems), then you can take a make-up quiz the following week instead (click on the “I missed a quiz” link in the Blackboard menu). You do not have to obtain permission to take a make-up quiz. However, when you do take it, you MUST submit an online declaration (accessed via a link in Blackboard) explaining the reason for taking the relevant make-up quiz, or your attempt will not be accepted. Acceptance of your reason’s legitimacy is up to the discretion of the course co-ordinator.

Main assignment - test development proposal

  • Hurdle
Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
40%
Due date

11/10/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L03

Task description

You will be writing a research proposal to develop a behavioural measure. Full details will be provided in the Assignment Briefing, available on the PSYC3020 Blackboard site (click on "Assessments").

Hurdle requirements

A reasonable attempt must be submitted to pass the course

Submission guidelines

Assessment should be submitted online via the 'Assignment Submission' link on the PSYC3020 Blackboard page. NOTE: You will no longer receive an automatic submission receipt from Turnitin confirming your assignment has been received. You should download a copy of the digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard and keep this as a record. NB: This is the last major assessment piece for the course. As such, marks for the Research Proposal assignment will be withheld until Grade Release.

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.

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.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 19.99

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 20 - 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 - 71.99

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 72 - 81.99

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 82 - 89.99

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 90 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

  • You’ll notice that the grade cut-offs for PSYC3020 are higher than is typical. However, raising these cut-offs has led to students achieving higher grades than before (that is, you are more likely to get a HIGHER grade than students of this course before cut-offs were raised).
  • This is because it is now easier to achieve a higher course mark, thanks to our mastery learning approach. For instance, I would expect most people to score close to 100% for their tutorial worksheets (worth 20% of the course mark) – as these are primarily intended as formative activities.
  • Also, the written assignment marks are automatically scaled to take the grade cut-offs into account. The tutor scores the written assignment by assigning grades to a number of marking criteria (rather than marks), which are converted into an overall mark by a spreadsheet formula that takes account of the grade ranges. This means that, if grade cut-offs are higher, assignment marks will also automatically become higher to compensate.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

The main assignment is compulsory. ᅠYou need to submit a reasonable attempt at this to pass the course (otherwise, the maximum grade you can receive is 3, even if your course mark reflects a higher grade).

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.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

Information technology session

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

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Tutorial

Tutorial 1

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 1.

Learning outcomes: L01

Information technology session

Online Quiz 1

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 2: Standardisation

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

Tutorial

Tutorial 2

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 2.

Learning outcomes: L01

Information technology session

Online Quiz 2

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 3: Reliability

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

Tutorial

Tutorial 3

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 3.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Information technology session

Online Quiz 3

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 4: Validity

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

Tutorial

Tutorial 4

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 4.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Information technology session

Online Quiz 4

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 5

5.1 How to create a test;
5.2 Individual score interpretation 1

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Information technology session

Online Quiz 5

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)

Tutorial

Tutorial 5

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 5.

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 6

6.1 Individual Score Interpretation 2;
6.2 Controversies in Intelligence

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Tutorial

Tutorial 6

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 6.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Information technology session

Online Quiz 6

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 7: Measuring Intelligence

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Tutorial

Tutorial 7

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 7.

Learning outcomes: L01

Information technology session

Online Quiz 7

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 8: Personality

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Information technology session

Online Quiz 8

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 9: Test Bias and Test Utility

Learning outcomes: L01

Tutorial

Tutorial 8

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 8.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Information technology session

Online Quiz 9

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 10: Extreme Psychometrics

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Tutorial

Tutorial 9

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 9.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Information technology session

Online Quiz 10

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Lecture 11: Assessment in clinical psychology

Guest lecture by Dr James Kirby

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

Tutorial

Tutorial 10

Tutorial activities.
Tutorial worksheet 10

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:

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: