Essentials of Psychological Testing - (Essentials of Behavioral Science) 2nd Edition by Susana Urbina (Paperback)

About the Book

"An engaging, practical guide to psychological testingEssentials of Psychological Testing, 2nd Edition is a fully updated and revised overview of the basic principles of psychometrics, including the information needed to understand and evaluate tests. It contains everything you need to know about the science of measuring knowledge, abilities, attitudes, personality traits, and education level, and introduces readers to the most relevant reference works in the field. This guide was written specifically for active professionals and students in fields ranging from clinical mental health and social work to education and human resources. In Essentials of Psychological Testing, 2nd Edition, even the most complicated psychometric principles are made interesting and easy to comprehend. More importantly, you will learn how to translate this new knowledge into practice by selecting the right tests, administering them appropriately, and correctly interpreting results.Dr. Susana Urbina describes the science of psychometrics, along with its history, providing important background information for the sections that follow. You'll find detailed information on testing procedures, score interpretation, reliability and validity, and "Test Yourself" questions that help activate your knowledge. In addition, the Second Edition has been updated to include: Information from the revised Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing New examples from the most recent versions of psychological tests Discussion of new test administration technologies, such as the Q-Interactive Illustrations and easy-to-find reinforcement of key concepts Dr. Urbina is recognized as a leading expert in the field of psychometrics, and her enjoyable writing style makes it easy to master this complex subject. Essentials of Psychological Testing, 2nd Edition is required reading for anyone who needs to know what psychological tests are and how to use them in a professional, consistent, scientifically sound manner"--

Book Synopsis

An easy-to-understand overview of the key concepts of psychological testing

Fully updated and revised, the second edition of Essentials of Psychological Testing surveys the basic principles of psychometrics, succinctly presents the information needed to understand and evaluate tests, and introduces readers to the major contemporary reference works in the field.

This engaging, practical overview of the most relevant psychometric concepts and techniques provides the foundation necessary for advanced study in the field of psychological assessment. Each clear, well-organized chapter includes new examples and references, featuring callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as "Test Yourself" questions that help gauge and reinforce readers' grasp of the information covered. The author's extensive experience and deep understanding of the concepts presented are evident throughout the book, particularly when readers are reminded that tests are tools and that, like all tools, they have limitations.

Starting with a basic introduction to psychological tests, their historical development, and their uses, the book also covers the statistical procedures most frequently used in testing, the frames of reference for score interpretation, reliability, validity and test item considerations, as well as the latest guidelines for test selection, administration, scoring and reporting test results. Whether as an orientation for those new to the field, a refresher for those already acquainted with it, or as reference for seasoned clinicians, this book is an invaluable resource.

SUSANA URBINA, PHD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of North Florida, where she taught courses in psychological testing and assessment. A Diplomate of the American Board of Assessment Psychology and a licensed psychologist, Dr. Urbina practiced in the field of psychological assessment for over a decade. She coauthored the seventh edition of Psychological Testing with Anne Anastasi and has published numerous articles and reviews in the area of psychological testing.

From the Back Cover

An Easy-to-Understand Overview of the Key Concepts of Psychological Testing

Fully updated and revised, Essentials of Psychological Testing, Second Edition surveys the basic principles of psychometrics, succinctly presents the information needed to understand and evaluate tests, and introduces readers to the major contemporary reference works in the field.

This engaging, practical overview of the most relevant psychometric concepts and techniques provides the foundation necessary for advanced study in the field of psychological assessment. Each clear, well-organized chapter includes new examples and references, featuring callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as "Test Yourself" questions that help gauge and reinforce readers' grasp of the information covered. The author's extensive experience and deep understanding of the concepts presented are evident throughout the book, particularly when readers are reminded that tests are tools and that, like all tools, they have limitations.

Starting with a basic introduction to psychological tests, their historical development, and their uses, the book also covers the statistical procedures most frequently used in testing, the frames of reference for score interpretation, reliability, validity, and test item considerations, as well as the latest guidelines for test selection, administration, scoring, and reporting test results. Whether as an orientation for those new to the field, a refresher for those already acquainted with it, or as reference for seasoned clinicians, this book is an invaluable resource.

About the Author

SUSANA URBINA, PHD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of North Florida, where she taught courses in psychological testing and assessment. A Diplomate of the American Board of Assessment Psychology and a licensed psychologist, Dr. Urbina practiced in the field of psychological assessment for over a decade. She coauthored the seventh edition of Psychological Testing with Anne Anastasi and has published numerous articles and reviews in the area of psychological testing.