Exam 7: Selecting,administering,scoring,and Interpreting Assessment Results
The best way for a counselor to familiarize himself/herself with a test is to:
D
You are a gerontological counselor who works with elderly people and their families.You need to evaluate a new depression inventory to determine if it would be appropriate to use with your clients.Using the information provided below,describe the strengths and weakness of the instrument make sure to address all information necessary in evaluating and selecting an assessment instrument).Based on your evaluation,would you use this instrument? Why or why not?
Depression Inventory for the Elderly DIE)
Purpose: Designed for assessment of self-rating of depressive symptoms in older adults.
Population: Adults,age 65 and older.
Score: The inventory provides a Total Score and five Primary Dimensions: Negative Mood,Interpersonal Problems,Ineffectiveness,Anhedonia,and Negative Self Esteem.
Time: 35 minutes
Description:
The DIE has been designed to measure depressive symptoms for elderly individuals.The self-administered inventory consists of 90 items related to such depressive symptoms as depressed mood,withdrawal,feelings of guilt and worthlessness,difficultly making decisions,vegetative functions,self-evaluation and interpersonal behaviors.
Scoring:
The inventory uses a 5-point scale of distress 0-4),ranging from "not at all" 0)to "extremely" 4).The DIE yields raw scores and T scores for the Total Score and Primary Dimension scores.Results are hand scored.T scores above 65 on the Total Score and the Primary Dimensions are considered in the "clinical range."
Norms:
The normative sample included 1266 retired individuals residing in Florida age 65 to 91.There were 350 men between the ages of 65 and 85,and 750 women ages 65 to 91.The population was mostly middle to upper class retirees.
Reliability:
Internal consistency reliability has been found to be range from .71 to .89 with various samples.
Test-retest reliability correlations appear to be acceptable.It is however expected that the symptoms of depression would change over time,and regression to the mean is associated with repeated testing over time.
Validity:
Three research studies have evaluated the DIE in assessing constructs both for concurrent and predictive uses in characterizing symptoms of depression in older adults.The studies report the DIE successfully distinguishes individuals without depression from depressed individuals.
The Depression Inventory for the Elderly (DIE) is a self-administered inventory designed to measure depressive symptoms in older adults, specifically those aged 65 and older. The inventory consists of 90 items related to various depressive symptoms such as depressed mood, withdrawal, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, difficulty making decisions, vegetative functions, self-evaluation, and interpersonal behaviors. The inventory provides a Total Score and five Primary Dimensions: Negative Mood, Interpersonal Problems, Ineffectiveness, Anhedonia, and Negative Self Esteem.
Strengths of the DIE include its comprehensive assessment of depressive symptoms in older adults, as well as its use of a 5-point scale to measure distress. The inventory also yields raw scores and T scores for the Total Score and Primary Dimension scores, allowing for a more in-depth analysis of the results. Additionally, the reliability of the inventory is supported by internal consistency reliability ranging from .71 to .89 and acceptable test-retest reliability correlations.
However, there are also weaknesses to consider. The time required to complete the inventory is relatively long at 35 minutes, which may be challenging for some elderly individuals. Additionally, the normative sample used for the inventory was limited to retired individuals residing in Florida, which may not be representative of the broader elderly population. Furthermore, while the inventory has been found to successfully distinguish individuals with and without depression, it is important to consider the potential for false positives and false negatives in clinical settings.
Based on this evaluation, I would consider using the DIE with caution. While it has strengths in its comprehensive assessment and reliability, the limitations in terms of time required for completion and the limited normative sample raise concerns. It may be beneficial to explore other depression inventories specifically validated for use with elderly populations to ensure the most appropriate assessment instrument is selected for my clients.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the following sources of assessment information: Mental Measurements Yearbook,Publisher's website or catalog,instrument manuals,and research literature.
The Mental Measurements Yearbook provides a comprehensive and critical review of commercially available tests, making it a valuable resource for educators, psychologists, and other professionals. It offers detailed information on the reliability, validity, and practicality of various assessment tools, helping users make informed decisions about which instruments to use. However, the disadvantage is that it may not cover every assessment tool available, and the information may become outdated as new tests are developed.
Publisher's websites or catalogs offer convenient access to a wide range of assessment tools, allowing users to easily compare and select instruments that meet their specific needs. They also often provide detailed information on the administration and scoring of the tests. However, the disadvantage is that these sources may be biased in favor of the publisher's own products, and they may not always provide a comprehensive and critical review of the tests.
Instrument manuals offer detailed instructions on how to administer, score, and interpret specific assessment tools, making them essential resources for practitioners using those instruments. They provide valuable information on the technical aspects of the tests, ensuring that they are used correctly and consistently. However, the disadvantage is that they may not always provide information on the reliability and validity of the tests, limiting the user's ability to make informed decisions about their use.
Research literature provides a wealth of information on the development, validation, and application of assessment tools, allowing users to stay informed about the latest advancements in the field. It offers critical evaluations of tests and their psychometric properties, helping users make evidence-based decisions. However, the disadvantage is that accessing and interpreting research literature requires advanced knowledge and skills, making it less accessible to some users. Additionally, not all assessment tools may have been extensively studied and reported in the research literature.
Information about instruments that are not commercially available may be found in which of the following?
A source of assessment instrument information that may present a biased picture of the instrument is the:
All of the following are examples of practical issues that should be considered when evaluating and selecting assessment instruments,except:
The best source of information and critical reviews about commercial tests is the
Orientation sessions given to individuals prior to testing provide information about:
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is considered an):
Scoring performance assessments typically involve _______________________.
The most cost-effective method of administering assessment instruments is ______________.
The first question to ask when evaluating and selecting an assessment instrument is:
To purchase an)____________ instrument,a practitioner must have a bachelor's degree in psychology,human services,education,or related disciplines;training or certification relevant to assessment;or practical experience in the use of assessment instruments.
The first step in the process of selecting assessment methods is to:
An)_______________________ to interpreting assessment results involves examining score variations across the individuals who took the same test.
As compared to ____________________,____________________is typically easier to perform,less time-consuming,requires scorers with less training,and produces fewer scoring errors.
_________________________________ must occur prior to administering an assessment instrument.
Tests that are administered by examinees reading the instructions themselves and then taking the test are ________________________ tests.
______________ instruments may be used by practitioners who have a graduate degree in psychology,counseling,education,or related disciplines;or have completed specialized training or coursework in assessment;or have licensure or certification documenting training and experience in assessment.
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