Buros Institute of Mental Measurement. This website provides online test locator/reviews.

Write a three to five page APA formatted position paper that:

• Discusses the four scales of measurement
• Addresses the advantages and disadvantages of each 
• Includes examples of each type of scale.

Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least three (3) citations in your essay. Make sure to reference the citations using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page do not count towards the minimum word amount.

Goals

After completing this module, you will be able to do the following:

• Describe the use of statistics in assessment
• Describe the scales of measurement, including nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales
• Explain how to construct frequency distributions, histograms, and frequency polygons
• List and explain the properties of the normal curve
• Describe the various measures of relationship
• Describe raw scores and convey their limitations
• Define norm groups and describe their importance in norm-reference score interpretation
• Describe and interpret percentile ranks
• Explain the purpose of qualitative descriptions and assessment scores

Overview

To be competent in effectively conducting assessment, counselors need knowledge about statistical concepts relevant to understanding, interpreting, and communicating assessment results. Statistics proved the rules and procedures needed to organize, summarize, and interpret assessment data. Statistics also help counselors to evaluate the psychometric properties of tests, which is important for evaluating and selecting tests. This module presents the basic statistical concepts required for counselors to be competent in selecting, scoring, and interpreting assessment results.

Counselors are often called upon to interpret the results of tests, rating scales, structured interviews, and various other instruments used in the assessment process. Scores can be expressed in different forms. Sometimes the meaning of various types of scores is confusing to clients because they have little exposure to terminology used in measurement. Therefore, counselors must have knowledge about the different methods of scoring and the ways of communicating those scores in a manner that clients can understand.

Read 

Assessment Procedures for Counselors and Helping Professionals: Chapters 3 and 4

Additional Resources

• The ACT
• Buros Institute of Mental Measurement. This website provides online test locator/reviews. 
• Joint Committee on Testing Practices