Admission requirements
Knowledge of the subjects taught in the first-year Methodology courses. Students must have passed at least one of these courses.
Description
The course will include the following topics:
Introduction to psychometrics
Wcaling and standardisation
Reliability
Validity, factor structure and item analysis
Item-response theory
Classification and predictive discriminant analysis
Test construction and revision
NIP/COTAN assessment criteria
Psychometric assessment report
Questionnaires
Recruitment and selection
Course objectives
The course has the following objectives:
Students will acquire knowledge of basic aspects of classical and modern test theory and of scaling methods, including those aspects required in psychodiagnostics. This also includes acquiring some skill in test analysis by conducting a number of practical assignments using SPSS and EQS.
Students will acquire knowledge of the theory and use of tests in such fields as educational, recruitment and vocational psychology.
Timetable
Psychometrics (2013-2014):
Mode of instruction
The Psychometrics course will be taught over seven successive weeks. Each course week will comprise a lecture (2 hours) followed by a practical (1 hour) and a work group session (2 hours). This will be in conjunction with independent study and assignments. The lectures will not only cover the material from the course book but will also focus on teaching the students the knowledge required for the practical and work group assignments. The assignments for the practicals and work group sessions are included in the Psychometrics Workbook. The course will conclude with a seminar.
Assessment
The examination will comprise 40 multiple-choice questions. Students will have passed the course if:
They have passed the examination (a grade of 6 or higher)
They have attended all seven practicals
Their work in the practical assignments is considered to be of a satisfactory quality.
The students’ examination grade will be adjusted to include a possible bonus for the work groups (homework assignments submitted, active participation and presentations). This is then the final grade for the course. Students can consult uSis to see whether they have passed the practical and examination. There will be a review of the examination afterwards (see Blackboard for the time and place).
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences implemented the Ephorus system on 1 January 2006, for use by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the information concerning fraud .
Blackboard
The following can be found on Blackboard: supplementary material, lecture slides, the data from the assignments, examination answer keys and practice exam questions.
Reading
Compulsory reading for the examination alongside the lecture material:
Furr, R.M. & Bacharach, V.R. (2008). Psychometrics: An introduction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN 9781412927604.
Meyers, LS, Gamst, G, & Guarino, AJ. (2006). Applied multivariate research: design and interpretation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN 1-4129-0412-9 (cloth). This book is also required for the Multivariate Data Analysis course in the second semester.
De Vocht, Basishandboek SPSS, or an equivalent basic guide to SPSS version 16 or higher.
Psychometrics Workbook (additional texts and assignments). Students should refer to Blackboard for additional texts.
The workbook can be ordered from Readeronline
Study book service
Members of the Labyrint study association can purchase the books at a reduced rate from the Labyrint study book service on producing their Labryint membership card. Alternatively, there are the academic bookshops.
Registration
Course
Registration for the course is compulsory. Registration for the work groups and practicals is on a first come, first served basis. If a particular work group is full, students will have to attend it at another time.
Examinations
Registration for examinations and resits is compulsory. Students can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the examination date. Students who do not register on time will not be allowed to sit the (re)examination
Contact
(Coördinator)
Dr C.M. van Putten (until 1 September 2013) and Dr M. Hickendorff (from 1 September 2013)
Methodology Unit, rooms 3B15 and 3B18
Tel.: +31 (0)71 527 3378 and 3765
E-mail: putten@fsw.leidenuniv.nl and hickendorff@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
The supervisors at the practicals and the work group lecturers can answer any specific questions. Drs. C. Verduin coordinates the practicals.