In this course, you will extend your theoretical knowledge and skills in psychological assessments.

The course has a strong applied emphasis and you will learn how to select, administer and interpret the results of major standardised tests. You will also acquire advanced skills in interviewing, assessment of risk and the use of taxonomies.

You will learn how to communicate assessment findings, synthesise information from multiple sources and develop formulations that are culturally, socially and developmentally appropriate and which inform intervention planning.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of theory, research and ethical practice in psychological assessment and testing.
2. Reflect critically on psychological assessment, including cultural, social and developmental considerations.
3. Select, administer, score and interpret major standardised tests and assessment techniques commonly used in professional psychology.
4. Communicate findings appropriately in oral and written formats suitable for professional and service user audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

Psychological assessment is a core skill of psychologists. In the first assessment course, you developed the underlying competencies that drive evidence-based psychological assessment. Advanced Assessment draws upon these concepts to inform the administration of three psychological assessments - Andrew, Andy, and Lily. Each assessment will require different skills, conceptualisations, and approaches. Importantly, you will get to experience all stages of conducting your group based psychological assessment: referral, planning, administration, scoring, and feedback.

Field Trips

NA

Additional Course Costs

NA

Examination Material or equipment

NA

Required Resources

Required resources:

Lichtenberger, E. O., & Kaufman, A. S. (2012). Essentials of WAIS-IV assessment (Vol. 96). John Wiley & Sons.

Zuckerman, E. L. (2019). Clinician's thesaurus: The guide to conducting interviews and writing psychological reports. Guilford Publications.

Morey, L. C. (2003). Essentials of PAI assessment (Vol. 29). John Wiley & Sons.

Suggested resources:

Psychological Assessment (PSYC8413) course content. This material forms the foundational knowledge for the advanced assessment course. Students are expected to understand and utilise this information throughout the course.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on assignments.
• Verbal comments.
• Feedback to the whole class.
• To groups; and
• To individuals.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

This course is integrated within the Master of Professional Practice (MPP) program. All students must comply with all requirements outlined in the Master of Professional Practice Handbook; including course attendance, ethics, performance, and hurdles. Please read this handbook carefully, and detailed information regarding the program and the handbook will be covered during orientation.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Overview, MINI introduction	You will be asked to prepare a summary of a psychometric principle for your peers.
2	MINI practice, design of assessment approach for Learning Set 1
3	MINI administration and scoring	Team administration of MINI in class (Simulated Psychological Evaluation 1). Score and interpret MINI before next week.
4	Assessment feedback session and report discussion	Feedback session to Client 1
5	WAIS-IV introduction	Written Assessment Report 1 and Simulated Psychological Evaluation recording 1 due before class start
6	WAIS-IV practice, design of assessment approach for Learning Set 2
7	Administer WAIS-IV and additional measure/s	Team administration of WAIS-IV in class (Simulated Psychological Evaluation 2).
8	Assessment feedback session and report discussion	Feedback session to Client 2
9	PAI self-completion, reflection, case discussion, and measure selection	Written Assessment Report 2 and Simulated Psychological Evaluation 2 due before start of this class
10	PAI review, interpretation, design of assessment approach
11	PAI scoring, report writing, and formulation	Score and interpret PAI before next week
12	Assessment feedback session and report discussion	Feedback session to Client 3.

Tutorial Registration

NA

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Written Assessment Report 1 (hurdle)	10 %	2,3,4
Written Assessment Report 2 (hurdle)	10 %	2,3,4
Written Assessment Report 3 (hurdle)	10 %	2,3,4
Reflective Tasks (hurdle)	20 %	1,2
Simulated Psychological Evaluations (hurdle)	50 %	3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Given the nature of the course and learning outcomes, students will be expected to attend all workshops in line with the standards of a professional training program. Workshops are not recorded and absences without appropriate documentation will result in missing course content. Please contact the course convenor in advance if unable to attend specific workshops.

This course is delivered entirely on campus/in person. For more detailed information on Covid-19 policy, see:  https://www.anu.edu.au/covid-19-advice.

Examination(s)

Students will be marked in accordance with detailed criteria and/or a rubric for each assessment task. 

There is no exam for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Written Assessment Report 1 (hurdle)

This written assessment report will be the first in the series of three reports, one for each client. These will be group submissions, one report per assessment team (3 members per team) with a different team member leading each report. Each of the three assessment reports will be evenly weighted (10% per case).

Assessment 1 - M.I.N.I assessment of Ash

Due before start of class in week 5

Value: 10%

Submitted Pieces:

One group report per case. Electronic format (through Wattle portal).

The word limit for each report is 10 Pages not including Appendices. Most students will find that 8 pages is roughly what they need. Raw results should be included in the Appendices where applicable. Include only standardised / summary results in the main report document.

Feedback will be provided in written in format. More detailed information on assessment requirements and marking will be made available on the course site at the start of the relevant lecture (first lecture of this set). Face-to-face feebback is also avaliable upon request (and encouraged).

Assessment Task 2

Written Assessment Report 2 (hurdle)

This written assessment report will be the second in the series of three reports, one for each client. These will be group submissions, one report per assessment team (3 members per team) with a different team member leading each report. Each of the three assessment reports will be evenly weighted (10% per case).

Assessment 2 - WAIS-IV assessment of Andy

Due before start of class in week 9

Value: 10%

Submitted Pieces:

One group report per case. Electronic format (through Wattle portal).

The word limit for each report is 10 Pages not including Appendices. Most students will find that 8 pages is roughly what they need. Raw results should be included in the Appendices where applicable. Include only standardised / summary results in the main report document.

Feedback will be provided in written in format. More detailed information on assessment requirements and marking will be made available on the course site at the start of the relevant lecture (first lecture of this set). Face-to-face feebback is also avaliable upon request (and encouraged).

Assessment Task 3

Written Assessment Report 3 (hurdle)

This written assessment report will be the third in the series of three reports, one for each client. These will be group submissions, one report per assessment team (3 members per team) with a different team member leading each report. Each of the three assessment reports will be evenly weighted (10% per case).

Assessment 3 - PAI assessment of Lily

Due: Tuesday of ANU end-of-semester exams period, examination week 2 (any time on this day)

Value: 10%

Submitted Pieces:

One group report per case. Electronic format (through Wattle portal).

The word limit for each report is 10 Pages not including Appendices. Most students will find that 8 pages is roughly what they need. Raw results should be included in the Appendices where applicable. Include only standardised / summary results in the main report document.

Feedback will be provided in written in format. More detailed information on assessment requirements and marking will be made available on the course site at the start of the relevant lecture (first lecture of this set). Face-to-face feebback is also avaliable upon request (and encouraged).

Assessment Task 4

Reflective Tasks (hurdle)

This PAI Reflection task provides students with the opportunity to continue developing their self-reflective practice. This task will focus on student's feelings towards their self-completion of the PAI, vulnerability in providing a psychologist with personal assessment results, and how they can be mindful of this.

Length: 600-800 words.

Due: Exam week 2: submitted with Report 3

Assessment Task 5

Simulated Psychological Evaluations (hurdle)

Two assessments and feedback. One for the MINI and one for the WAIS-IV,. Assessments will be conducted in class time and sections of the assessment divided between the assessment team. These assessments will be recorded by the team members using an appropriate recording device. One video file per team per assessment is required.

Due: Recording for Case 1 due with Report 1: Week 5

Recording for Case 2 due with Report 2: Week 9

Value: 50% total (Case 1 Recording + Feedback 25%; Case 2 Recording + Feedback 25%)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignments. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin and Wattle.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

For all course assessment

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments are required to be submitted electronically via the Wattle site and will be returned approximately two to three weeks after the submission date.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Grading in the Master of Professional Psychology program reflects achievement of competencies as appropriate to developmental level. As such, students will be provided with grades indicating that competency has been met Course Requirement Satisfied (CRS) or not met (Fail).

Failure to submit an assignment of a high standard which meets requirements for a passing grade (50%) will result in a student receiving feedback on the area/s requiring remediation and one opportunity for resubmission of the assignment to address these issues. This opportunity is provided only in circumstances where a genuine attempt to address the assignment requirements was determined to be made in the first submission. If the resubmission satisfactorily addresses the issues identified, a grade of CRS will be awarded for the task. The need to re-submit the same assignment twice due to inadequate performance will result in overall failure of the assessment piece, and thus the course, which will need to be repeated in a future offering.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students