Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study
Objectives In Australia, psychological measurement and testing is a core competency for all registered psychologists. This study aimed to provide a current perspective on the views of Australian psychologists in the use of psychological testing given the lack of recent Australian research.Method Psy...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Australian Journal of Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2024.2419682 |
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| author | Peter Macqueen Jo-Anne M. Abbott Nigar G. Khawaja Rebecca Mathews Douglas Scott Bruce D. Watt |
| author_facet | Peter Macqueen Jo-Anne M. Abbott Nigar G. Khawaja Rebecca Mathews Douglas Scott Bruce D. Watt |
| author_sort | Peter Macqueen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives In Australia, psychological measurement and testing is a core competency for all registered psychologists. This study aimed to provide a current perspective on the views of Australian psychologists in the use of psychological testing given the lack of recent Australian research.Method Psychologists (N = 821) completed online a demographic form and the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) questionnaire on Test Attitudes of Psychologists – Modified (EQTAP-M), refined for the Australian setting. Constructs addressed in the survey included test appreciation, training, technology-based testing, attitudes to test use, and self-rated competence. The sample mean age was 50 years, with 84% over 34 years and 20% being males.Results Attitudinal differences, based on demographics and practice endorsement area, were examined. Partial support was obtained for the factorial model of previous EFPA studies. There was no difference in attitudes based upon the gender of the psychologists, but older psychologists reported less favourable attitudes and lower competence for psychological testing. Psychologists holding endorsements in organisational psychology, neuropsychology, and educational and developmental psychology indicated more positive testing attitudes and appreciation than other areas of practice. The application of technology in assessment was identified as an area that warrants further investigation and training.Conclusions The outcome has theoretical and practical implications for professional bodies and educational institutions that develop policies and training programs relevant to psychological measurement and testing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-720981563a32461e8dc715e7ee95f7c2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0004-9530 1742-9536 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian Journal of Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-720981563a32461e8dc715e7ee95f7c22024-12-09T05:33:26ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAustralian Journal of Psychology0004-95301742-95362024-12-0176110.1080/00049530.2024.2419682Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian studyPeter Macqueen0Jo-Anne M. Abbott1Nigar G. Khawaja2Rebecca Mathews3Douglas Scott4Bruce D. Watt5Compass Consulting, AustraliaAustralian Psychological Society, AustraliaQueensland University of Technology, Melbourne, AustraliaAustralian College of Applied Professions, AustraliaMonash University, AustraliaBond University, AustraliaObjectives In Australia, psychological measurement and testing is a core competency for all registered psychologists. This study aimed to provide a current perspective on the views of Australian psychologists in the use of psychological testing given the lack of recent Australian research.Method Psychologists (N = 821) completed online a demographic form and the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) questionnaire on Test Attitudes of Psychologists – Modified (EQTAP-M), refined for the Australian setting. Constructs addressed in the survey included test appreciation, training, technology-based testing, attitudes to test use, and self-rated competence. The sample mean age was 50 years, with 84% over 34 years and 20% being males.Results Attitudinal differences, based on demographics and practice endorsement area, were examined. Partial support was obtained for the factorial model of previous EFPA studies. There was no difference in attitudes based upon the gender of the psychologists, but older psychologists reported less favourable attitudes and lower competence for psychological testing. Psychologists holding endorsements in organisational psychology, neuropsychology, and educational and developmental psychology indicated more positive testing attitudes and appreciation than other areas of practice. The application of technology in assessment was identified as an area that warrants further investigation and training.Conclusions The outcome has theoretical and practical implications for professional bodies and educational institutions that develop policies and training programs relevant to psychological measurement and testing.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2024.2419682Area of practice endorsementAustraliapsychologiststesting attitudestesting surveytraining |
| spellingShingle | Peter Macqueen Jo-Anne M. Abbott Nigar G. Khawaja Rebecca Mathews Douglas Scott Bruce D. Watt Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study Australian Journal of Psychology Area of practice endorsement Australia psychologists testing attitudes testing survey training |
| title | Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study |
| title_full | Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study |
| title_fullStr | Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study |
| title_short | Psychological testing in the profession of psychology: an Australian study |
| title_sort | psychological testing in the profession of psychology an australian study |
| topic | Area of practice endorsement Australia psychologists testing attitudes testing survey training |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/00049530.2024.2419682 |
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