CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC14048 Advanced Psychological Assessment
Advanced Psychological Assessment
All details in this unit profile for PSYC14048 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The aim of this unit is to provide basic theoretical, empirical, and practice knowledge necessary to acquire the skills required to conduct and evaluate psychological assessment. Lectures and readings are aimed at conveying the basic assessment process that occurs within psychological contexts, regardless of therapeutic orientation. The general expectations of this unit are to demonstrate theoretical, empirical, and practice-focused knowledge of assessment frameworks and techniques. As a student, you should expect to gain an increased understanding of basic frameworks and specific assessment procedures involved in psychological assessment (and therapy) contexts.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in CC42 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours).

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2020

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 15%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 45%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from 1) Have your say - student evaluation

Feedback

Feedback was given by students that the volume of reading and additional material provided was too much.

Recommendation

Additional recordings such as interviews with psychologists in the field (e.g., with Neuropsychologists and Forensic Psychologist) and additional readings (such as ethical scenarios relating to testing) will continue to be used to support learning; however, resources that are in addition to core material will be clearly noted as such. It will be clearly noted on the Moodle site and reinforced in tutorials that this information is there to enhance / deepen learning. If the material is not directly assessable this will be noted.

Feedback from 1) Have your say 2) Discussions with students 3) email

Feedback

Request for greater clarification of what will be assessed and examples how the types of questions that will be asked (particularly for online quizzes where past exam questions are not available).

Recommendation

A distinction between what is assessable and what is additional material to support learning and contextualise the practice of assessment will be made in the Moodle site. Examples of quiz questions and final exam questions will be given in each tutorial and discussed. Time will be allocated in tutorials to discuss / answer questions about the assignments.

Feedback from 1) Have your say - student evaluation 2) Discussions with students

Feedback

A further suggestion was made to more clearly differentiate the material that was essential to the unit (and directly assessable) and what was optional.

Recommendation

The Moodle site will be organised so as to clearly distinguish material that is core/essential and additional readings. A statement regarding this will be made on the Moodle site and in the first tutorial.

Feedback from 1) Have your say - student evaluation

Feedback

A low rating for Moodle site navigation (particularly when students may need to search for this information under exam conditions).

Recommendation

Logical grouping of resources and material under relevant subheadings will be undertaken to facilitate the location of this information under exam conditions.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Use effective strategies and decision-making processes in psychological assessment
  2. Select and integrate psychological assessment processes across a number of themes and paradigms
  3. Apply the core principles of ethical and professional assessment practice
  4. Use psychological assessment data and decision-making strategies in case-study presentations.

Learning outcomes fulfil the level 2 pre-professional core competencies required by the updated Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines. The learning outcomes also meet the study criteria as specified by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and as appropriate for study at level 8 as stated by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Online Test - 45%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Online Test - 45%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

CONDUCTING PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: A GUIDE FOR PRACTITIONERS

(2010)
Authors: Wright, A.J
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Southern Gate Southern Gate , Chicester , United Kingdom
ISBN: 9780470536759
Binding: Paperback
Prescribed

ESSENTIALS OF ASSESSMENT REPORT WRITING

2nd Edition (2018)
Authors: W. Joel Schneider, Elizabeth O. Lichtenberger, Nancy Mather, Nadeen L. Kaufman, Alan S. Kaufman
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , United States of America
ISBN: 978-1-119-21868-5
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)

7th Edition (2019)
Authors: American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
Washington Washington , DC , USA
ISBN: 9781433832161
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Electronic versions may be available and may be cheaper than the hard copy version.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
John Baranoff Unit Coordinator
j.baranoff@cqu.edu.au
Tina McAdie Unit Coordinator
t.mcadie@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to psychological assessment

Chapter

Textbook - Wright, ch 1

Textbook - Lichtenberger, ch 1

Readings on Moodle (week one)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial -

Interviewing skills and the Mental Status Examination (MSE)

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Test selection and ethical issues in psychological assessment

Chapter

Textbook - Wright, ch 2

Readings on Moodle (week two) 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial


Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Testing and integrating data

Chapter

Textbook - Wright, ch 3 and ch 4

Readings on Moodle (week three)

Events and Submissions/Topic

 Zoom tutorial scheduled

Case conceptualisation exercise on Moodle instead (see Moodle, week three for further details)

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Psychological reports and providing feedback

Chapter

Textbook - Wright, ch 5 and ch 6

Textbook - Lichtenberger

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial

Vacation Week Begin Date: 07 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 14 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Clinical psychological assessment

Chapter

Textbook - Wright, ch 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

and Video clip on Moodle

Online QUIZ due: To be completed between 9.00am AEST Friday the 18th December and 5.00pm AEST Saturday the 19th of December.


Online Quiz Due: Week 5 Friday (18 Dec 2020) 12:00 am AEST
Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Cognitive assessment

Chapter

Readings on Moodle (week six)

Events and Submissions/Topic

No Zoom Tutorial 

Video clips on Moodle and interview recording 

Vacation Week Begin Date: 28 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 04 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Forensic psychological assessment

Chapter

Readings on Moodle (week seven)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial and interview recording 

Week 8 Begin Date: 11 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Organisational psychological assessment (particularly focusing on the area of Occupational Health Psychology)

Chapter

Readings on Moodle (week eight)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial 

Critical Evaluation Report due: 9am (AEST) on Monday the 11th of January.


Critical Evaluation Report Due: Week 8 Monday (11 Jan 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 18 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Response bias and malingering

Chapter

Readings on Moodle (week nine)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial

and video clips on Moodle

Week 10 Begin Date: 25 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Risk assessment

Chapter

Readings on Moodle (week ten)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial

Week 11 Begin Date: 01 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Professional practice issues

Chapter

Readings on Moodle (week eleven)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial

Week 12 Begin Date: 08 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Past, present and future of psychological assessment

Chapter

Readings on Moodle (week twelve)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial for test preparation; test preparation materials on Moodle

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Feb 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Final exam


Online Test Due: Exam Week Monday (15 Feb 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz

Task Description

Objective: This online, open-book, multiple choice quiz will provide the opportunity to evaluate your working knowledge of the core areas of psychological assessment. The format of this assessment requires you to demonstrate comprehension of the process and content of the key principles in this unit.

Task: 50 questions. The quiz is timed (60 minutes) and will be available online through the Moodle unit site for 32 hours only. Single attempt only. Please plan ahead and do not leave your attempt to complete the quiz till the last hour. Please ensure you have reliable internet access during this period.


Number of Quizzes


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (18 Dec 2020) 12:00 am AEST

The quiz will be open from 09:00hrs (AEST) Friday 18th December until Saturday 17:00hrs (AEST) 19th December


Return Date to Students

At the conclusion of the quiz period, the results will be given to students automatically


Weighting
15%

Assessment Criteria

Multiple choice quiz


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Select and integrate psychological assessment processes across a number of themes and paradigms


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Critical Evaluation Report

Task Description

This written assignment will take the form of a written report, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of a single psychological assessment technique or test. Further details are available on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Monday (11 Jan 2021) 9:00 am AEST

due 9.00am AEST on Monday the 11th of January 2021


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Monday (1 Feb 2021)

Marking will be completed 3 weeks after the due date


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

Download Assessment Two Details PDF from Moodle site for further details and grading matrix


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Use effective strategies and decision-making processes in psychological assessment
  • Apply the core principles of ethical and professional assessment practice
  • Use psychological assessment data and decision-making strategies in case-study presentations.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Test

Task Description

This test will assess your knowledge of the areas covered throughout the term.



Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Monday (15 Feb 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

To be held in Exam Period with date to be announced


Return Date to Students

Within 3 weeks of completion of exam


Weighting
45%

Assessment Criteria

No Assessment Criteria


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Use effective strategies and decision-making processes in psychological assessment
  • Select and integrate psychological assessment processes across a number of themes and paradigms
  • Apply the core principles of ethical and professional assessment practice
  • Use psychological assessment data and decision-making strategies in case-study presentations.


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?