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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Principles of Assessment (Face-to-Face)

PSY 3430-01

Course: PSY 3430-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 12325

Course Description

This course reviews the theory and application of assessment used in psychology and education. Content includes a review of the statistics used in assessment, measurement theory, test development, and the major instruments used to assess intelligence, achievement, and personality. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): PSY 3435 Prerequisite(s): PSY 1010 and PSY 2010 and PSY 3010 and PSY 3015 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Required: “Tests and Measurement for People (Who Think They) Hate Tests and Measurement, 4th Edition; Neil, J. Salkind & Bruce B. Frey. Sage Publications, ISBN: 978-1-0718-1717-9. (2023).

Learning Outcomes

  1. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World –This course will address issues of measurement across cultures and contexts.
  2. Inquiry and Analysis –Students will show basic proficiency in utilizing the principles of psychological measurement through the completion of a class project and during in-class assignments.
  3. Critical Thinking –Students will think critically about applying principles of measurement during the creation of a new measurement instrument or via a psychometric evaluation of an existing measurement.
  4. Communication –Students will express ideas about psychometric principles and psychological assessment in writing and during class discussion.   
  5. Teamwork – Students will collaborate within groups to design and complete a class project 
Quantitative Literacy –Students will enhance their quantitative 

Course Requirements

Graded Learning Activities

LSOE’s: (10 Points)

Students will complete 10, 5-question LSOE’s worth approximately 1 point each. 

 

Take Home Learning Activities: (150+ Points)There will be three Take Home Learning Activities. Each is comprised of multiple choice, True-False, short answer, or calculation problems. Students will be allowed to use class resources  to complete the learning activity. THLA’s will take place on Canvas and students may use their own mobile technology or their home computer or school computer. Access to SPSS will be required. 

 

Final Skills Assessment: (150 Points) The primary value of this course is skill development. As such, students will demonstrate their mastery of course content by an in-class Final Skills Assessment. There are 13 In-Class Final Skills Assessment items on Canvas. On the day of the scheduled PSY 3435 Final Examination, students will be randomly assigned three of these 13 problems to complete and submit. Each is worth 50 points. Final Skills Assessment items include may require conducting and interpreting SPSS analyses, performing psychometric calculations, doing data organization, etc.). Students are encouraged to review all 13 In-Class Final Skills Assessment Items and practice completing the tasks. 

            

Attendance and Participation: (50 Points)Class attendance will be randomly taken once per week throughout the semester. An absence will be recorded for each missed class. Permittable absences include university sanctioned events, medical situations, and extreme family emergencies. Other absences are considered optional and will not be immune to point deductions. Even with permittable absences, points will be deducted if a student does not notify the instructor beforehand, and follow up with the instructor regarding missed work afterward. Scoring will proceed as follows:

                1-2 Absences = 50 Points

                3-4 Absences = 30 Points

                5-6 Absences = 10 Points

                7+  Absences =  0 Points

 

Office Hour Visits: (20 points)Students will be required to attend at least one posted office-hour at least two times during the semester, one during the first half and one during the second half of the semester. To receive credit, you must ask at least one question from class! Should my posted Office Hours conflict with your schedule, I will plan to meet you in my office at a time that works for you. Each visit will be worth 10 points. 

 

Research Project and Presentation: 

Research Project:

                Each student will employ the scientific method in a hands-on research project. This can be 

accomplished in one of two ways. We will be working on the research project both in class (PSY 

3430) and in the lab section (PS 3435) of this course. While credit for the project is granted in PSY 3430, many of the tasks and assignments we do in lab directly support what is required for completion of the project. It is imperative research groups ask the type of research 

question relevant to this class. Only projects that focus on establishing psychometric quality of a measurement instrument are valid. Project credit is assigned in the 3430 course. 


 

Option #1: You may decide to accomplish this project as part of a research group or team (randomly assigned). Each team is responsible to produce a research project using test and measurement principles.  Preferred projects are those that attempt to establish reliability or validity of existing instruments, design, administer, and evaluate a new instrument, compare several different measures of a similar construct, or assess the quality of a program or agency. This is an ambitious project and could require a lot of time and energy. You are encouraged to spread the work throughout the group but do not simply put one person in charge and then try to cobble things together at the end. The steps involved include:

v  Review the literature for research ideas

v  Coming up with a specific research idea

v  Becoming an expert in that idea by extensively reviewing available literature 

v  Identify gaps or holes in the literature that your group can answer 

v  Formulate a project outline based on what you have read and learned 

v  Submit an IRB proposal Worksheet

v  Carry out the project and collect relevant data

v  Analyze the data

v  Report on the results

 

This project will be completed within the 14-week semester. You will each evaluate the 

contribution of fellow team members. This is a lot of work, so getting started early is by far the best approach. Much of the work for this project will be done outside class, but we will devote a good deal of the course  and lab time to project-based activities. 

 

IRB Proposal: Each student research group will complete a Full IRB Proposal and submit for review. 

 

Once my approval for the project has been granted, you will need to complete a formal 

 

Ø  a brief description of the project including a short literature review

Ø   a methods section (how you plan to do what you want to do)

Ø   a statistical analysis section (what statistical analyses will you run)

Ø   what is hoped to be gained by doing the project 

Ø  any potential risk to participants

Ø  remediation plans for those participants that may be affected or harmed

Ø  Verification the participants are 18 years of age or older 

 

The IRB will notify you of their decision regarding your project. Research CANNOT begin without IRB approval. 


 

Project Presentation: Each group will make a formal presentation of their project. I expect that all projects 

will be presented in a professional-like manner in class during the final exam scheduled for the course (PSY 3430). This type of work will take extra time and effort. Plan on it! Your presentation will be evaluated with the rubric at the end of this syllabus. 

 

Your Project Presentation score will be calculated as follows:

                50% Instructor and TA ratings

                50% Class ratings

                Your group composite score weighted by the average group member contribution score 

you receive from your group 

 

Option #2:  You may decide to do a project independently. The academic rigor and expectations for you 

are the same as for the research groups. You would have the option of developing your project this semester and then actually conducting the research in the following semester as your Independent Research II (PSY 4925) Capstone project. For this class, it is expected that you develop your idea, do an extensive literature review, formalize your project, and obtain IRB Approval for the research project. You will also give a presentation scored with a modified rubric.  Data collection, analysis, and report will be required for IR-II credit.

 

Grades:

                Grades in the class will be given according to university policy and using standard grade cutoff 

scores.  Final grades in the course will be calculated from total points achieved from each of the following sources:

Course Outline

Course Outline and Goals 

This course reviews the theory and application of assessment approaches used in psychology, education, business, and other areas. Three major areas of emphasis will include measurement theory, psychometrics, and assessment. A comprehensive overview of this topic requires three components:

 

First, we will cover testing theory and measurement, the need for testing, test/survey construction 

and development along with a review of the necessary statistical functions used in high quality measurement. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, reliability and validity analysis, and utility of psychological measurements. As PSY 3010 and 3015 are prerequisites for this class, a good working knowledge of statistics is expected. We will review statistical principles used in psychometrics including probability, percentile, area under the curve, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, standardized scores, normative scores, correlation, regression, factor analysis, confidence intervals, etc.)

 

Second, the application of these principles will be experienced firsthand as each student will 

participate in an experimental group that will generate, plan, and conduct a project using psychological tests, questionnaires, surveys, etc.  Projects may include, but are not limited to:

 

-doing a reliability and validity study of an existing instrument

-devising and testing a new instrument

-comparing several existing instruments

-statistically evaluating an AI-generated measure (based on a specific psychological theory) 

-assessing the goals or objectives of an agency or program 

 

Data from each project is to be coded, entered, and analyzed statistically with a computerized statistical package (SPSS [Statistical Package for the Social Sciences is available on the SUU Student Server]). A professional-quality, in-class presentation at the end of the semester will, in part, determine your final grade. You will also rate your group-mates on their contributions to the project as part of their final grade. You may elect to present your findings at the Annual Psychology Department Fall Symposium, and/or the Annual Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, the SUU Festival of Excellence, etc. but additional IRB requirements may exist.  

   

Finally, we may review several different types of tests used in Psychology and counseling practice 

today. Discussion of specific testing issues will take place throughout the course. Although the course is called Principles of Assessment and is offered in the psychology department, comprehensive assessments are becoming more popular in business, industry, education, and other related fields. The principles learned in this course could be beneficial in many different occupational settings.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Testing, Grading, and Evaluation: LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL

Attendance Policy

Attendance and Participation: (50 Points)Class attendance will be randomly taken once per week throughout the semester. An absence will be recorded for each missed class. Permittable absences include university sanctioned events, medical situations, and extreme family emergencies. Other absences are considered optional and will not be immune to point deductions. Even with permittable absences, points will be deducted if a student does not notify the instructor beforehand, and follow up with the instructor regarding missed work afterward. Scoring will proceed as follows:

                1-2 Absences = 50 Points

                3-4 Absences = 30 Points

                5-6 Absences = 10 Points

                7+  Absences =  0 Points

Course Fees

Aside from SUU College of HSS Program fees, there are not course fees. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.