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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 301"
COURSE NAME: "Psychometrics"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Angelo Brandelli Costa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: PS 208, PS 210
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an introduction to the theory, concepts, and statistical foundations of psychological measurement. Students will explore the theoretical underpinnings of psychometrics, and the methods involved in the construction, validation, and use of psychological measures. The course will cover topics such as classical test theory, item response theory, factor analysis, and the development and validation of psychological scales, with an emphasis on computing various statistics (e.g., reliability) and on the interpretation of measurements analyses. Students will learn how to construct and assess a scale, manage a database and analyze data using statistical software.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is divided into 3 modules:
Psychometric Theory: Covers the foundations of measurement, ethical issues in psychometrics, classical test theory, item response theory, and factor analysis.
Scale Evaluation and Statistical Analysis: Focuses on the development and validation of psychological scales, including item writing, pilot testing, reliability and validity analysis, and scale refinement. This introduces advanced statistical techniques relevant to psychometrics, such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.
Scale Construction Database Management: Provides hands-on experience with database management systems, including data cleaning, manipulation, and analysis.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Understand the historical and theoretical foundations of psychometrics. (LOS 1)
Evaluate the psychometric properties of assessment instruments. (LOS 2)
Apply appropriate statistical techniques to analyze data and draw conclusions about the validity and reliability of assessments. (LOS 2)
Effectively communicate the results of psychometric analyses in written reports, using clear and concise language. (LOS 3)
Apply ethical principles to the assessment process. (LOS 4)
Develop and refine project management skills through the design, implementation, and evaluation of a scale construction project. (LOS 5)
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Psychological Testing: A Practical Approach to Design and Evaluation | Kline, T. | Sage Publications. | 1412905443 | | | Hard Copy | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Essentials of psychological testing | Susana Urbina (Author), Alan S. Kaufman (Series Editor), Nadeen L. Kaufman (Series Editor) | Wiley | 9781118680483 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Standards for educational and psychological testing | American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education (Eds.). | American Educational Research Association | 0935302352 | | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Tests | There will be 2 tests throughout the semester, including a midterm and final exam, covering the course content. These tests will assess students' understanding of key concepts, theories, and applications of psychological assessment. The tests will not be cumulative, focusing on the material covered since the previous test.
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| Scale Development Project | The Scale Development Project will assess students' ability to integrate theory and practice in assessment scenarios by requiring them to develop a new psychological scale, administer it, and analyze the data using psychometric principles. The project will be divided into several stages, starting with defining the construct and writing items, then conducting pilot testing, and collecting data. Students will then manage the database, conduct item analysis, perform factor analysis, and assess the scale's reliability and validity. Finally, they will prepare a comprehensive report in APA style and present their project to the class. | 40 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Module 1: Psychometric Theory
- Week 1: Introduction to Psychometrics and Measurement
- Week 2: Scaling and Levels of Measurement
- Week 3: Fairness and ethical issues in the history of psychometrics
- Week 4: Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory
· Week 5: Review and Test 1 (covering Weeks 1-4)
Module 2: Scale Evaluation
- Week 6 Validity (e.g., content, criterion-related, construct)
- Week 7: Exploratory factor analysis
- Week 8: Confirmatory factor analysis
- Week 9: Reliability (e.g., test-retest, internal consistency, inter-rater)
- Week 10: Review and Test 2 (covering Weeks 6-9)
Module 3: Scale Construction and Database Management (Scale Development Project development)
- Week 11: Scale Development and Item Writing
- Week 12: Pilot Testing and Item Analysis
- Week 13: Data Cleaning and Manipulation
- Week 14: Data Visualization and Interpretation
- Week 15: Final presentation of Scale Development Project
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