Research Practical Psychometrics

Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience

Research Practical Psychometrics

Full course description

This skills training provides a thorough overview of the basic principles of psychological measurement (i.e., psychometrics). Topics that are covered include classical test theory, reliability analysis (e.g., test-retest, parallel forms, split-half, Cronbach’s alpha), validity (e.g., content, criterion, construct), principal component analysis, factor analysis (exploratory and confirmatory), and item response theory. R (and SPSS/LISREL) will be used for the analyses.

The final assessment for this course is pass or fail - and not a numerical grade between 0,0 and 10,0.

Course objectives

Students will be able to understand:

  • the classical test theory (CTT) model;
  • methods for estimating the reliability of measurements based on the CTT;
  • various types of validity (content, criterion, and construct validity);
  • how to use the Spearman-Brown equation;
  • how to use the correction for attenuation and range restriction;
  • how to apply and interpret the results of a principal component and exploratory factor analysis;
  • how to apply and interpret the results of a confirmatory factor analysis;
  • basic principles of item response theory (IRT).
PSY4531
Period 5
7 Apr 2025
6 Jun 2025
Print course description
ECTS credits: 
2.0
Instruction language: 
English
Coordinator:
Teaching methods: 
Assignment(s), Lecture(s), Work in subgroups, Skills
Assessment methods: 
Attendance, Final paper
Keywords: 
Psychometrics, reliability, validity, factor analysis, item response theory