Psychological Testing and Assessment: An Introduction to Tests and Measurement

by Ronald Jay Cohen, Douglas K. Smith, Mark E. Swerdlik

Psychological Testing and Assessment: An Introduction to Tests and Measurement is the standard-setting text that through seven editions has overviewed measurement in psychology with unrivaled depth, breadth, and clarity. Logically organized and lucidly written, this book acquaints readers with important historical, legal, ethical, and cultural issues, and then proceeds to provide readers with the information necessary to understand psychometric concepts such as reliability, validity, and utility. Through writing that effectively anchors abstract concepts to real-life applications--and through the use of innovative teaching tools such as "Just Think" questions and the "Everyday Psychometrics" features in the text--readers will come away with a well-rounded, working knowledge of psychometrics and the assessment enterprise in a contemporary, real world context.

Genres: Psychology, Textbooks, Nonfiction, School, Counselling, Reference

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This textbook is pretty interesting. It goes into histories of different types of tests, their strengths/weaknesses, and how they would best be effective.

Used with Liberty University Online's PSYC 421: Psychological Measurement

[Catastrophe Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My brain hurts.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

sounds suuuuuper exciting, doesn't it??? ;)

[Viviana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the newest edition of the textbook, published in 2018. I found it to be interesting and easy to read.

[Hezekiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this book in full for a while now because Psychological Testing and Assessment is the subject I'm interested in the most when it comes to the field of psychology. I wasn't able to do it during the semester this subject was taught due to the hectic schedule, lending to little motivation and time to do so.

The textbook is interesting and comprehensive for the most part. I liked that it began with providing historical basis for the existence of psychological testing and assessment, and a chapter dedicated to reviewing on the basic statistical terms, which would be necessary in understanding the subsequent chapters. In the core area of the book, it offers separate chapters for the major concepts that assessments aim to measure, as well as, the different fields wherein these assessments may be substantially meaningful.

However, I do feel like some areas of the book are such a slog to get through and contain information that isn't as necessary in nature. For example, the area discussing the MMPI test and history was overly excessive to the extent that I just wanted to get over it with. Additionally, the separate sections colored in blue could have been better placed. I understand that it was structured that way to maximize the pages; however, it feels like it cuts away from the discussion at hand, and you're forced to pick which section to prioritize - the main text or these complementary texts.

[Teresa Mead · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was comprehensive but reinforced gender stereotypes over and over again. The majority of images of women included in the book are of young attractive women (one was even of a "Miss America" pageant and the focus was not on the negative impact of the respective on society's way of thinking of women). I was pretty unimpressed by how outdated it was in this respect. I would recommend something more current with respect to how diverse our society is... oh, and of the fact that 50% of the worlds's population or so is made up of women, and we do age past 25 yrs if lucky and aren't all flawless.

[Julie Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study!

[Daemsien · Rating 5 out of 5]

For psychological assessment, this one’s easy to comprehend.

[Erica Holwager · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but some of the concepts were made more complicated than they needed to be and some of the key terms were not actually mentioned in the chapter.

[Bubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

a hard read, but still the best reference book for Psychological Assessment.

[lunaslost · Rating 1 out of 5]

hated this book while studying for mock boards.. -100/10 never again

[Timotheos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really find this book complements the one written by Kaplan. I gave this book a 4 star rating because some of the concepts are vaguely explained and not all important topics taught by my teachers are found in here (hence the need for the one written by Kaplan). But hey, A for his humor.

PS: I just noticed that Cohen loves to mention TV shows in his explanation.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the testing textbook I used in my first graduate program. Once we mastered this stuff, we were permitted to construct our thesis question.

Not the most exciting stuff, although I enjoyed at the time.

[Krystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really did not enjoy this whatsoever! I have read many statistics textbooks that have been done way better. It could not have interested me any less due to the "dryness" of it. Would not recommend this book to anyone even in a master's program.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Assessment isn't my thing, but this textbook does a pretty phenomenal job of explaining the MANY different areas of psychological testing and assessment. Overall, it's a very readable and interesting text.

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book about testing and assessment, I do wish however it was a little less expensive in price. Additionally, the study guide questions overly focus on the boxes which I find to be a little disturbing since these are traditionally not discussed in class.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors have tried to appeal to students with their writing style but, in my opinion, their elaborate jokes only reduced the overall clarity of the text.

[Abid Rai]

its an amazing book. perfect

[Hope Ong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that discusses Statistics in plain English. I repeat, plain English.

[Emely]

Book Of Class

[Taylor Caruso - Bucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books was alright but outdated. It needed a bigger section for current tests and principles being used.

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

mister cohen i ask you to pray for me this was my rock during my exams 🙏

[Minjhiene · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read it

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good