For this project, you will be critiquing an original empirical research article that reports the results of testing reliability of an assessment instrument.
You may choose either of the following articles:
Lauth, B., Magnsson, P., Ferrari, P., & Ptursson, H. (2008)
.  An Icelandic version of the Kiddie-SADS-PL: Translation, cross-cultural
    adaptation and inter-rater reliability.  Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 62, 379-385.
In addition to explaining the study design and results, use the information from the textbook as well as the article to explain each type of reliability that was evaluated in the study.  Be sure to answer the following questions in your critique:
a.    Do you have confidence in the research design (e.g., the number of participants, the inclusion criteria, the methods)?  Why or why not?
b.    Do you have confidence in the researchers analyses of the reliability of the instrument? Why or why not?
c.    Would you have confidence in the instrument based on the reliability of the instrument as demonstrated in the study?  Why or why not?
d.    Would you have any reservations using the instrument in future research?  Why or why not?
e.    What additional types of reliability, if any, would you want to determine in future research that were not tested in this study?
f.    Discuss the purpose of demonstrating reliability in the population and culture sampled in the study.  Can these results generalize to other populations (ages, gender, abilities) or cultures?

Question 1: Explain the process of establishing standardized scores for an assessment instrument.  Include each of the following elements in your discussion, and include a peer-reviewed source that demonstrates establishment of norms for a psychological instrument.

a)    Selection of the norm reference group who should be selected, and why?
b)    Normal distribution
c)    Measures of central tendency
d)    Measures of variability
e)    Raw scores
f)    Methods of transforming raw scores into scale scores (discuss at least three)

Question 2: (a)  A researcher has decided to design a test that measures anxiety in job seekers prior to an interview.  Items in the test will be measured using a Likert scale. Describe the process the researcher would undertake in order to construct the initial instrument, test the items, refine the instrument, and demonstrate the validity of the measure.  Be sure to discuss at least three types of validity (other than face validity).

(b)  If the researcher had decided to design an interview rather than a survey, what additional type of reliability (discussed in chapter 4; Gregory, 2016) would need to be demonstrated?

Question 3: Review chapter 5 (Gregory, 2016) and the Hartley and MacLean (2006) article.

a)    Define a learning disability and briefly describe several different types of learning disabilities.
b)    Explain how a learning disability is diagnosed.
c)    What special considerations are necessary in educational testing of children with disabilities?
d)    What special considerations are necessary in psychological testing of adolescents and adults with disabilities?

Question 4: Sources of test bias.  Explain at least three sources of test bias that can threaten validity of the test results.  What steps can be taken to reduce the risk of bias in each case?  Include at least two peer-reviewed sources that give examples of test bias and/or address strategies to reduce test bias.

Question 5: Compare and contrast projective and objective personality testing, including an explanation of the theoretical basis for each category of test.
Describe at least two projective and two objective personality tests and address the reliability and validity data for each test.

Question 6: For each of the issues, address the following:
a.    Identify possible brain structures that may be associated with impairment in functioning
b.    Identify at least two neurological tests (or specific subscales, if applicable) that could be used to test for impairment in functioning
c.    Explain how each neurological test (or subscale) is administered
d.    Explain how possible impairment is identified by each particular test
    Attention/concentration***
    Spatial/manipulatory ability***
    Manipulative speed and accuracy***

Question 7: Forensic:
a.    Explain the difference between competency to stand trial and legal insanity.
b.    Discuss the unique issues involved in assessment of defendants and the legal issues that must be considered when administering tests in a forensic setting.
c.    Identify specific tests used in forensic settings and how they are used to identify malingering and to evaluate competency.

Review the American Psychological Association (2017) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct: Standard 9: Assessment. (https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index?item=12) Pay particular attention to section 9.07, Assessment by Unqualified Persons.  Psychologists do not promote the use of psychological assessment techniques by unqualified persons, except when such use is conducted for training purposes with appropriate supervision. Also review chapter 2 of the textbook (Gregory, 2016) regarding the history of psychological testing.

In a two- to three-page paper, discuss critical issues that must be considered in assessment, including appropriate training, supervision, confidentiality, standard of care, individual differences, and culture, as well as negative effects that may occur if these standards are not followed.  Also include a discussion of the necessary steps that a student in training should take before administering any assessment instrument.