Question 1

It is important that, when clients are asked to write an autobiography, strict instructions are given as to what areas are to be covered.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is important that, when clients are...

Question 2

Generally, there is little error in the application of rating scales.

Accepted Answer

While rating scales can be useful tools for measuring subjective experiences or perceptions, there is always a risk of error or bias in their application. Factors such as the wording of the scale, the experience and subjective perspectives of the rater, and the context in which the rating is made can all influence its accuracy and validity. Therefore, it is important to use rating scales with caution and to be aware of their limitations.

Question 3

It is unusual to find one conducting an observation of an individual that includes both event and time sampling.

Accepted Answer

It is not unusual to find one conducting an observation of an individual that includes both event and time sampling. In fact, it is common practice in many fields, including psychology and education research.

Question 4

A school psychologist is asked to observe the acting out behaviors of a student. He is concerned, however, that "acting out" has not been clearly defined. His concern is justified, as it relates the strongest to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The concern of the school psychologist about the lack of clear definition of "acting out" relates to the validity of the observation. Validity refers to whether an observation accurately measures what it intends to measure. Without a clear definition of the behavior being observed, the psychologist cannot be sure that he is accurately observing and interpreting the behavior of concern.

Question 5

Although having two raters increases reliability and accuracy when using observation, it may create issues with practicality.

Accepted Answer

Having two raters may be time-consuming and require additional resources. It can also lead to disagreements between the raters, which may need to be resolved through additional training or discussion.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT true about performance-based assessment?

Accepted Answer

Performance-based assessment may measure various skills and abilities, but speed and agility are not necessarily the focus. Instead, they are often geared towards measuring competencies related to specific tasks or responsibilities.

Question 7

Informal assessment techniques are not particularly practical because one has to painstakingly take time to create them.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Informal assessment techniques can be quick and easy to create, such as observation checklists or exit tickets. They may not be as standardized as formal assessments, but they can still provide valuable information about student learning.

Question 8

A school psychologist is asked to observe the behaviors of a student. She is concerned that "inappropriate" has not been clearly defined, and if she will be the only individual observing this student, her analysis could be compromised. This concern is mostly related to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A school psychologist is asked to observe...

Question 9

Which of the following are you NOT likely to find on a genogram?

Accepted Answer

Genograms are comprehensive family diagrams that include information on family relationships, health history, and significant events, which can encompass all the options listed: family history of illnesses and mental disorders, age or dates of birth and death, substance use, and relationships and cultural issues.

Question 10

In which of the following does cross-cultural fairness impact informal assessment techniques?

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural fairness impacts informal assessment techniques because unconscious or conscious bias may result in misinterpretation of verbal or nonverbal behaviors of minority clients. This can impact the examiner's judgment and accuracy when using informal assessment techniques.

Question 11

Due to the subjectivity of rating scales, the halo effect is probably minimal.

Accepted Answer

The halo effect can occur in any situation where subjective judgments are being made, including rating scales. It refers to the tendency for an overall impression of a person, product, or situation to influence judgments about specific aspects of it. For example, if a teacher has a high overall impression of a student, they may rate all of their work as excellent, even if some of it is only average.

Question 12

Rating scales are subjective and the evaluation or assessment is based on the rater's "inner judgment" and can be filled with biases.

Accepted Answer

Rating scales rely on the subjective judgment of the rater, which can be influenced by personal biases or opinions. Therefore, ratings may not accurately reflect the actual performance or behavior being assessed.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT true about portfolio assessments?

Accepted Answer

Portfolio assessments are not just a "paper" project, as they can also include physical artifacts or digital media.

Question 14

Validity of informal assessment techniques has to do with how well the examiner is defining that which is being assessed.

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the extent to which an assessment tool is accurately measuring what it is intended to measure. In the case of informal assessment techniques, such as observations or interviews, the validity depends on how well the examiner defines and understands the behavior or skill being assessed. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 15

Because informal assessment procedures are developed by the examiner, they are less prone to cross-cultural bias.

Accepted Answer

Informal assessment procedures can still be influenced by the examiner's own cultural biases and perspectives, leading to potential cross-cultural bias. It is important for the examiner to be aware of their own biases and make efforts to minimize their impact on the assessment process.

Question 16

Two expert raters are trained to rate the ability of graduate students to use different kinds of questions when gathering information. After three weeks of training, their interrater reliability is .60. These raters:

Accepted Answer

An interrater reliability coefficient of .60 is considered moderate and indicates that the raters still have some way to go before achieving high interrater reliability.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT true relative to the practicality of informal assessment techniques?

Accepted Answer

Informal assessment techniques are not necessarily cross-culturally free of bias. The cultural background of the person being assessed as well as the person administering the assessment can affect the results. It is important to consider cultural factors when selecting and interpreting informal assessments.

Question 18

Interrater reliability measures the agreement or consistency among two or more evaluators observing a behavior or phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of interrater reliability.

Question 19

Despite the fact that informal assessment techniques are easily affected by bias, they still can offer much in the assessment process.

Accepted Answer

While it is important to recognize the potential for bias in informal assessment techniques, they can still provide valuable information about a student's progress and understanding. Informal techniques such as observation, conversations, and performance tasks can provide a more holistic view of a student's abilities and can help to identify areas where additional assessment may be needed.

Question 20

Some environmental assessments are professionally constructed. Which of the following is true regarding these instruments?

Accepted Answer

All of these statements are true regarding professionally constructed environmental assessments. They are typically more rigorous than informal assessments, examples include the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, observation is often a key component, and they provide a less distorted view than many other forms of assessment.

Quiz 12: Informal Assessment: Observation, Rating Scales, Classification Methods, Environmental Assessments, Records and Personal Documents, and Performance-Based Assessment