Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

Students will be introduced to a number of neuropsychological tests and scales, designed to assess all aspects of cognitive functioning. They will learn how to select which tests are most appropriate in specific clinical situations and how to administer, score and interpret each measure. The skills required to document the assessment results will be imparted. Issues in assessing people from other cultural and linguistic backgrounds will also be discussed. On a broader level, students will be taught to be critical consumers of the neuropsychological literature.

Objectives

The primary aim of this unit is practical, being to familiarise students with the selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of the measures of cognitive functioning they will use in their clinical work.
On completion of the unit students will:

1. be familiar with a wide range of neuropsychological measures currently used to evaluate many different aspects of cognitive functioning;
2. understand the principles involved in evaluating the psychometric properties, validity and reliability of neuropsychological measures;
3. feel confident in their selection of measure in specific clinical contexts, so as to plan and execute a hypothesis-driven assessment process;
4. be proficient in the administration and scoring of the measures in accordance with published guidelines;
5. be able to evaluate the test scores objectively but with sensitivity to factors which may influence their validity in clinical settings;
6. be able to interpret and document the results of a comprehensive assessment of a number of cognitive skills;
7. be critical and informed consumers of any new neuropsychological which may be developed in the future.

Assessment

Students will be required to develop a comprehensive folio of test material, including relevant normative data, administration guidelines and scoring information. This folio will equip them for their future practice as a clinical neuropsychologist.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Georgia Lowndes