Leaders in Distance Learning

Level 3 Diploma in Psychometrics

Course Synopsis

This Ascentis Quality Assured Level 3 Diploma in Psychometrics is designed for managers with responsibility for staff selection and development, but not necessarily with a Human Resources background, who would like to increase their understanding of personality testing, including the underlying theory. This course will also provide an appreciation of the range and type of measures available, and of the importance of using them with an ethical approach.

Psychometrics (measures of peoples' aptitudes and personality) are increasingly used in organisations for staff selection and development. Personality testing is a source of fascination for some but evokes scepticism in others. It is difficult for a non-specialist to identify well-established tests with a robust statistical basis in a situation in which tests are strongly marketed as commercial products. Managers are usually obliged to leave the choice, administration and interpretation of tests to suitably qualified experts. Yet, they may feel the need to know more, without having the time or inclination to becoming fully qualified in psychometrics.

The course refers briefly to ability and aptitude testing, but focuses on measures of personality. It is designed to enable people to make informed decisions as to whether they wish to qualify e.g. for the British Psychological Society-approved Level A and B Certificates in Occupational Assessment (a pre-requisite for many psychometric tests). It will provide you with some useful introductory information which will prepare you to undertake these interesting and intensive courses. Similarly, it includes relevant points on which to base a decision to become an accredited assessor for a number of other commercially provided tests.

Please note that this course is an independent review of the subject, designed for managers, and is not recognised by any supplier or accreditor of psychometric tests.

Course Content

Module 1 - An Overview for Managers of the Nature, Purpose and Use of Psychometric Testing

This module defines psychometrics, and discusses various attitudes to personality profiling. It briefly introduces ability and aptitude testing in relation to intelligence tests. Emotional Intelligence is also mentioned in the overall context. The course defines personality at this stage.

There is a major section on the importance of ensuring that tests are reliable and valid, to address any doubts about their use. The pitfalls of testing, and scope to "cheat" are also addressed. The use of psychometric tests is justified in comparison with other common selection methods e.g. interviewing. The Module considers the issue of measuring the "value added" by using personality tests. Advice is given on general principles to be followed in the choice of test. The Module concludes with some examples of the wide range of "tools" available: these are covered in more detail in Module 5.

Module 2 - The Theoretical Background to Psychometric Testing - An Introduction to Personality Testing for Managers

Module Two aims to summarise from personality theory, a complex and fascinating subject, the key points which it is useful for a manager to know when dealing with psychometrics. The level covers in outline to what a non-psychologist would need to know to qualify in e.g. Level B Occupational Assessment.

The Module approaches personality theory under the categories of different theories e.g. physical, psycho-analytical or social learning theory. The aim is to explain these, and highlight their relevance, in an interesting and accessible way. The Module concludes with an introduction to the trait-based model of personality, which is of great importance in personality testing. This is the focus of attention in Module 3. There is also an initial consideration of personality type theories, with an emphasis on personality type indicator tests forming the basis of Module 4. Module 2 concludes with an introduction to "The Big Five", a model which identifies five over-arching factors of personality e.g. Extraversion and Conformity.

Module 3 - The Interpretation and Use of Trait-Based Tests with Focus on 15FQ+

Module 3 takes the student through the process of administering and scoring a typical test, with an emphasis on good practice and an ethical approach. Although it provides a brief comparison of the 16 PF, 15FQ+ and OPP tests, the focus is on the 15FQ+ purely in order to provide specific examples to explain points. The course emphasises the importance of corroborating tendencies indicated by a test e.g. the need to obtain evidence from the respondent to support a high score for Introversion or Social Boldness.

The Module concludes with a discussion of the use of trait-based tests, both in terms of their limitations, and as predictors of job performance.

Great care is taken throughout not to promote any particular test, nor to include negative assessments. Students are advised to consult the British Psychological Society if in doubt.

Module 4 - The Interpretation and Use of Type Indicator Tests with Focus on the Jung Type Indicator (JTI) and Myers-Briggs MBTI ®.

Starting with a definition of type indicator tests, the course moves on to expand on the theories behind these, building on information covered in Module 2. Brief explanations of test questionnaire design, scoring and interpretation are provided. A major section is included on the 16 personality types developed from the work of Jung. The Module also explains the difference between Myers-Briggs/JTI and Keirsey's Temperament Sorter. It concludes with an evaluation of type indicator tests with reference to e.g. the Forer Effect, or tendency of people to rate statements as highly accurate descriptors of themselves, when they could equally apply to others. The Assignment provides an opportunity for students to take a type indicator test and discuss the results with their tutor (a qualified assessor). There will be an extra charge to cover the cost of the purchase of the test and scoring procedure.

Module 5 - A Review of the Use of Additional "Tools" for Personality Profiling

This Module encourages the student to digest information from previous sections, by stressing the basic pattern for trait-based testing to be most suitable for staff selection, whereas type indicator tests are more appropriate for staff development.

The main body of the Module presents a review of a selection of widely-known tools in current use, categorised as: measures of values, preferences, interests and styles e.g. OIP+, VMI and California Personality Inventory (CPI); tools suited to staff development, team-building and constructive working relationships e.g. The SDI, Margerison-McCann Work Wheel; "instruments" designed to meet new developments e.g. for 360 degree appraisal. The student should not attach any significance to the omission of any test from the large number available.

The underlying aim is to enable students to adopt a suitably judicious approach to "tools", many of which are strongly promoted commercial products but which vary considerably in the extent to which they are "statistically valid". As already stated, this Module does not favour or reject any specific test. It makes the point that, even if a measure if relatively new and does not have a generally accepted robust theoretical basis, it may have a useful part to play in staff development and team building.

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