For each test or a measurement to be considered accurate, it has to be both reliable and valid. This is done by assigning scores to a test for the first results and conducting the test again to assess the consistency of it. For each test to be ruled as being reliable, it has to give a constant score or result for the number of times the test is conducted. When this requirement is met, the one can be sure that the test is valid. However, not all reliable tests are valid. If a test is conducted and the results produced are what was expected, then the test is valid. The validity of a test is dependent on its reliability(Franzen, D et al., 20111). When evaluating reliability, there are three important concepts to consider. These include:
1. Test stability: this involves carrying out a test several times to find out if the results fall in the same category.
2. Alternate test: here, one can perform a test in another different method and if the results are consistent with the one gotten from the first test, then the test will be said to be reliable
3. Internal co-relation: this entails taking two halves of the same test and comparing what the results are then one can tell if completing the test will give accurate scores.
When it comes to the validity of a test, there are also important concepts to put into consideration. They include:
• Content validity: this details the extent to which the content of the test relates to the results intended.
• Criterion validity: this is the extent to which the score correlates to the variables of the test. When the criterion is evaluated at the same time as the construct, criterion validity is said to be concurrent validity; however, when the criterion is evaluated in future, it is referred to as predictive validity as the scores on the measure have a predictive future outcome.
Clinical assessment interview
It is important that a patient goes through a psychological assessment to help understand the root of the problem they are suffering from and the best treatment to give them. At times, some diseases come from having psychological issues. For example, for patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), it is at times hard to just have a look at them and rule out the problem(Hopwood, J., " Bornstein, F. 2014). Gathering information about what could possibly have brought this disorder by formulating diagnostic criteria will help understand what they are going through and a possible treatment will come thereafter. Below are some of the techniques that can be effective during clinical assessments:
1. Open interview: this technique involves asking random questions that relate to the problem the patient is suffering from and making sure the questions are open and friendly so that the patient feels comfortable giving the right answer to help guide the treatment to give them.
2. Listening: when a psychologist asks the patient a question, it is always good to pay close attention to what they answer. More so, when a patient is given time to talk more; they may end up giving more details to the problem they are experiencing. Therefore, being silent and paying attention may give a clinician a better chance to come up with the best diagnostic.
3. Being objective: knowing what to ask the patient, before or during the interview, without being biased or opinionated, can go a long way to making the patient become open enough.
Importance of the client’s non-verbal behavior
As a therapist or a clinician, observing the patient’s non-verbal communication is an important thing as one tends to get more even without the patient saying exactly what is going on. Some people are just not cut for speaking out what they are feeling especially when it comes down to psychological strains. Paying closer attention to facial changes, sitting composure, pacing, eye contact, and other non-verbal behavior will guide the psychologist in their diagnosis.
Pros and cons of Wechsler intelligence scale
Just like any other intelligence tests, the Wechsler intelligence scale is meant to measure both the skills and abilities or knowledge of a person; not entirely academic. Generally, it measures one’s cognitive abilities and it is used not only for intelligence purposes but also for clinical assessments.
The advantage of using the Wechsler intelligence test is that it is one of the best well-designed tests to measure intelligence. The most recent version of this test WISC-IV, is that has a wide range of profiles and scales that allow the diagnosis of several cognitive implications and a more accurate person’s intelligence (Wechsler, D. 2003). This test is used to measure intelligence for both children and adults. However, the accuracy of the results directly depends on the person who is administering the test and therefore it requires a professional otherwise the results will not be of much help to evaluate a person’s cognitive levels
References
Franzen, M. D., Robbins, D. E., " Sawicki, R. F. (2011). Reliability and validity in neuropsychological assessment. New York: Springer.
In Hopwood, C. J., " In Bornstein, R. F. (2014). Multimethod clinical assessment.
Wechsler, D. (2003). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Marrickville, N.S.W: Psychological Corporation.
