Principles of Psychological Assessment (PSYC90030)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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This subject introduces students who are studying clinical psychology or clinical neuropsychology at the graduate level to the principles and practice of psychological and neuropsychological assessment, covering childhood and adulthood. Current trends in the theoretical understanding of personality, psychopathology and cognitive ability will provide the conceptual basis assessment practice. It will be shown that psychological and neuropsychological assessment is best understood to include all aspects of the clinical encounter which lead to diagnostic case formulation. In particular, the subject content will address the application of techniques derived from psychological science to enhance correct classification of psychological conditions.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should:

Knowledge

  • Describe a range of assessment techniques useful for the evaluation of psychological conditions in children and adults with an emphasis on cognitive ability assessment and the clinical contexts they are relevant in.
  • Demonstrate mastery of the principal criteria practicing psychologists use to evaluate the quality of psychological data, as they relate to the clinical assessment of individuals.

Skills

 

On completion of this subject students should be able to: 

  • Apply criteria for evaluation of psychological test reliability and validity to enhance the accuracy of psychological classification decisions.

 Application of Knowledge and Skills


On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate practical implementation a critical understanding of the strategies employed in evaluating the validity of psychological opinions.

Generic skills

Written, oral and interpersonal communication skills
Analytic, information integration and synthesizing skills
Ability to evaluate the quality of data against formal criteria

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission into or selection of one of the following:

  • 527CL Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
  • 527CN Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)
  • 080CL Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)/Doctor of Philosophy
  • 080CN Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/Doctor of Philosophy
  • GD-CLINPSY Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Completion of psychology studies to fourth-year (Honours) level. At the beginning of the subject it will be assumed that students are familiar with basic concepts of psychological assessment in particular the concepts of validity and reliability as covered in introductory tests such as:

Anastasi, A., & Urbini, S. (1997). Psychological Testing (7th E). Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

or

Cohen R.J., & Swerdlik M.E., (2005). Psychological Testing and Assessment. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill, Boston, or equivalent.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

A written report

  • 1000 words
Hurdle requirement: For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement		Mid semester40%

A written examination

  • 1.5 hours
Hurdle requirement: For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. Submitting only part of an assessment (e.g. only the title page) or an assessment on an irrelevant topic will not meet this hurdle requirement.		During the examination period60%
Hurdle requirement: Hurdle requirement of at least 80% attendance at all coursework and seminar activities associated with this subject. Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorCharles Malpas
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours1.5 hours of lectures/seminars per week for a 12-week semester
    Total time commitment85 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    Dr Charles Malpas

    charles.malpas@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

85 hours

What do these dates mean

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  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025