IOP3701 EXAM
PACK 2023
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
,
,Study Unit 1
Your company has tasked you with finding out exactly what will be needed to construct a valid and reliable questionnaire
for measuring work satisfaction
(a) Provide relevant information that will emphasise the need for obtaining proper psychometric information and explain
what this information will entail and how sufficient information can be gathered (5)
The assessment process is multidimensional in information gathering. Explain. (5)
Psychometrics – systematic and scientific way in which psychological measures are developed and the technical
measurement standards required of measures.
The assessment process is multidimensional in information gathering:
It entails the gathering and synthesizing of information as a means of describing and understanding functioning.
It can inform appropriate decision-making and intervention.
By gathering a wide array of data in the assessment process a richer and broader sampling of behaviour functioning
can be achieved.
However the assessment battery (combination of measures used) must be tailored to an individual, group or
organisation needs.
Information gathering is multi-dimensional:
Sources of infor Examples
Multiple Different types of assessment measures such as norm-based and criterion-referenced tests, interviews,
measures behavioural observation, rating scales completed by teachers or supervisors, and ecologically-based
measures that describe the social or occupational context of an individual should be used.
Multiple The following could be assessed, e.g.: attention; motor, cognitive, language-related, non-verbal, an
domains personality-related functioning; scholastic achievement; and job performance.
Multiple sources Consult with other professionals, teachers, parents, extended family members, and employers.
Multiple settings Assessment should take place in a variety of settings and social arrangements to get as broad a
perspective as possible of a person’s functioning and the factors that influence it.
Multiple For assessment to be relevant, valid, and accurate, patterns of functioning have to be identified over a
occasions period of time and not merely in a single assessment session.
Testing and assessment forms one of the major areas in the work of an industrial psychologist. Discuss the important role
played by testing and assessment within the work context. In your discussion, mention the different types of assessment
and what information they provide for decision making in the work context. (10)
Psychological tests are tools used to obtain information about individuals, groups or even organisations in order
improve decision making. Assessment is used to make informed decisions to the benefit of the employee and th
employer -- for evaluation, placement, training, promotion, developmental activities etc.
The use of tests is central to the work of psychologists
Valid assessment a necessary condition for equity and efficient management of personal development in a multicultural
country.
Since tests are objective in nature, it can be used as an alternative or additional method to interviews.
Tests provide structure for providing baseline information which can be used for various interventions.
High unemployment has resulted in many people applying for positions even if they do not qualify for those positions;
testing and assessment – when used in combination with other processes – is a more reliable, valid, fair and co
effective way to identify qualified candidates.
Types of tests used :
Intelligence/ability tests
Aptitude tests (specific ability acquired with training)
Personality questionnaires
Interest questionnaires
Aptitude scales etc
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, Psychological assessment measures or tests are often used in work context. List and briefly discuss the key characteristics
of psychological tests. (5)
Assessment measures have been defined as objective, standardised measures that are used to gather data for a specific
purpose. Describe in detail the main characteristics of assessment measures. (10)
Characteristics of assessment measures
Assessment measures include many different procedures that can be used in psychological, occupational, and
educational assessment and can be administered to individuals, groups and organisations
Specific domains of functioning (e.g. intellectual ability, personality, organisational climate) are sampled by assessment
measures. From these samples, inferences can be made about normal and abnormal behaviour.
Assessment measures are administered under carefully controlled (standardised) conditions.
Systematic methods are applied to score or evaluate assessment protocols.
Guidelines are available to understand and interpret the results of an assessment measure. Such guidelines may make
provision for the comparison of an individual's performance to that of an appropriate norm group or criterion (e.g.
competency profile for a job), or may outline how to use test scores for more qualitative classification purposes (e.g. into
personality types or diagnostic categories).
Assessment measures should be supported by evidence that they are valid and reliable for the intended purpose. (This
evidence is usually provided in the form of a technical test manual.)
The appropriateness of an assessment measure for an individual, group, or organisation from another context, culture, or
society, cannot be assumed without an investigation into possible test bias (i.e. whether a measure is differentially valid
for different subgroups).
Assessment measures may vary in terms of:
How they are administered
Whether time limits are imposed. In a speed measure, there is a large number of fairly easy items of a similar level of
difficulty. These need to be completed within a certain time limit. In power measures time limits are not imposed.
However, the items in a power measure get progressively more difficult
How they are scored
How they are normed (e.g. by using a comparison group or a criterion)
What their intended purpose is (e.g screening versus diagnostic, competency-based testing)
The nature of the items (e.g. verbal items, performance tasks)
The response required by the test-taker
The content areas that they tap (e.g. ability or personality related)
Discuss the importance of doing a thorough job analysis in testing and assessment in the work context. (5)
For fair & equitable testing & assessment in the work context, the starting point is that the job must be described, explain
why this would be important (5)
The first step and main emphasis in the decision making process is a thorough job analysis
A job analysis is a systematic study of the tasks, duties, responsibilities of a job and the knowledge, skills and abilities
required to perform it.
Job analysis consists of:
Job description – indicates the tasks that need to be done in the job.
Job specification – specific characteristics required of a person to perform well in the job.
Performance criteria - means for evaluating a workers success in performing a job.
Job evaluation - formal assessment of the relative value of a job to an organisation
Fair and equitable testing and assessment:
to know exactly what the job entails and what qualities, characteristics, qualification and experience are required
to be successful in the job.
Important to also list specific requirements that are not often stated, but only come out when certain candidates
cannot be considered for a particular position. Clarity about exactly what the stated and unstated requirements
are.
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