An Introduction to Psychological Assessment and Psychometrics

Dr Keith Coaley is a chartered occupational and clinical psychologist, having many years of experience as an applied psychologist, trainer and lecturer at both HE and university levels. After a first undergraduate degree, he did a second degree in psychology with the Open University before a Master’s degree at Cardiff University and another later in forensic and legal psychology at Leicester University. He was awarded his PhD for his research in stress, health and job performance at Manchester. Having extensive experience of psychological assessment in practice, he has researched and published on topics relating to the fields of psychometrics and assessment. He has experience of work in Human Resources, in consultancy and in the National Health Service and prison settings, and has worked in the UK, Ireland, the Far East and Africa.

Chapter 1: Introduction: Individual Differences and Psychometrics
PART I: The Essential Tools of Psychological Measurement
Chapter 2: The Basic Components: Scales and Items
Chapter 3: How Assessment Measures are Made
Chapter 4: Statistics for Psychological Measurement
PART II: The Essential Characteristics of Psychological Measurement
Chapter 5: The Importance of Reliability
Chapter 6: The Significance of Validity
PART III: Theories and Applications of Measurement Techniques
Chapter 7: Theories and Measurement of Intellectual Ability
Chapter 8: Theories and Measurement of Personality Characteristics
Chapter 9: Alternative Perspectives: Theories and Measurement
PART IV: Ethical and Professional Issues
Chapter 10: Best Practice in Measurement
PART V: Practical Skills for Measurement of Individual Differences
Chapter 11: How to Make a Test or Questionnaire