units

EDF5514

Faculty of Education

18 September 2017 28 April 2024
Monash University

Postgraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

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

LevelPostgraduate
FacultyFaculty of Education
OfferedClayton Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Kate Jacobs

Synopsis

This unit provides students opportunity for advanced exploration and analysis of the psychological assessment process. It involves scholarly consideration and debate of quantitative and qualitative approaches to psychological constructs, their dominant underpinning theories, means of assessment, as well as exploring associated issues of validity and reliability, cultural and ethical considerations, and linguistic factors. Students acquire skills in the administration, scoring and interpretation of pertinent psychological tests, the integration of multiple sources of assessment data, and appropriate report writing. The unit also covers constructive critical appraisal and skills in making clinical judgement for the assessment and diagnostics of disabilities, psychopathology and human strengths (positive psychology). The unit also provides guided rehearsal and development of skills relating to general professional psychological practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. identify and understand the varied aspects of psychological test validity
  2. critically appraise psychological tests, including the theories that underpin them
  3. effectively integrate multiple forms of assessment data
  4. appreciate the impact of culture, linguistic load, and bias on the psychological assessment process
  5. understand the pertinent ethical issues that arise when conducting psychological assessments and reporting results
  6. clearly and succinctly report the results of a psychological assessment via a written report
  7. think critically about psychological constructs, psychopathology and appropriate assessment.

Fieldwork

Supervised practicum related activities are undertaken in this unit which contribute to the total placement hours required in EDF5517.

Assessment

Psychological report including critical reflection component (4000 words, 50%)
Theoretical essay (3000 words, 40%)
Maintenance of a practice log, compilation of an e-journal and weekly quiz (1000 words equivalent, 10%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Kate Jacobs

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload equals 24 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

  • 2.5 hour lecture/workshop per week
  • 0.5 hour per week supervision of placement-related activity

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

  • independent study to make up the required minimum hours per week

Prerequisites

Successful completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four year sequence in psychology.