Let's Talk Terms
A systematic method used to draw inferences about characteristics of people, objects, programs, and places.
What is Assessment
Assessments DON'T do these two things.
What is......
Generalize outside of the norm group intended.
Identify innate characteristics.
Identify a client's worth.
Describe the totality of behaviors, skills, symptoms.
A specific type of relationship that measures how strongly two things are connected.
What is a correlation
DOUBLE THE POINTS if you can name whether this indicates a positive correlation or a negative correlation (pic in google drive)
A counselor can and should provide a diagnosis based on one test, particularly when an electronic interpretive report is included with the results.
What is False
Diagnoses should always be based on multiple data points, including but not limited to behavioral observations, clinical interview, and at least 2-3 tests measuring that construct.
A construct or concept that can take on more than one value, and is sometimes described as dependent, independent, or extraneous.
What is a variable
Two methods counselors DO use to gather information during an assessment include:
What is....
Interview
Behavioral Observation
Client self monitoring
Testing
The 4 scales of measurement include:
What is Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio
DOUBLE THE POINTS If you can name the two used most with standardized tests because more meaning can be derived from the results.
Test publishers determine what level of training and education is needed to access, administer, and interpret each test.
What is True
The meaning of each test publishers levels (A, B, C) vary. Therefore, it is important to check each one before attempting to purchase a test. Level A tests tend to be more universally seen as free and accessible to most people.
A counselor is asked to observe their client's ability to focus in class. The counselor requests that another provider sit in with them to also track these behaviors. They choose to break the hour into 6, 10 minute intervals, independently record the number of times the child gets off task within each 10 minute period, and compare their results in order to increase this type of reliability.
What is Interrater
Note: Cohen's Kappa is one formula used to calculate interrater reliability.
DOUBLE THE POINTS if you can name two other types of reliability used in testing
A test that measures what it is intended to measure is considered this.
What is Valid
Ex: A test designed to measure the intensity of depressive symptoms is found to actually capture general distress rather than depression. This would have a very low validity coefficient.
DOUBLE THE POINTS if you can finish this sentence: A strong validity coefficient typically falls around ____.
Assessments have one set of ethical guidelines to follow.
What is False
Each state has their own guidelines, as well as the American Counseling Association, and National Board for Certified Counselors, among others.
Four multicultural considerations in assessment include:
What is....
Age & generational influences; Disability (acquired or developmental); Religion; Ethnic & Racial Identity; SES; Sexual Orientation; Indigenous Heritage; National Origin; Gender Identity
Values; Beliefs towards counseling; Relationship dynamics; Education; Occupational history; Marital status; Perspectives about mental health diagnoses; Geographic location
Client's always have a right to their results.
What is False
Most of the time client's are entitled to a report of their results, unless they are sent by a third party (court, doctor, job, etc). The counselor must verify the legalities of the contract with the third party as well as their licensing/state guidelines.
Also, raw data is NEVER given to anyone that is not trained to interpret it. Mostly just a brief writeup of results.