The Use of Testing Technicians: Critical Issues for Professional Psychology (Coursework Sample)

The Use of Testing Technicians: Critical Issues for Professional Psychology Name Institution Psychology testing is one of the defining functions for psychologist. It has contributed widely in the field of behavioral science, in the society. Psychology testing can be regarded as the highest technical achievement in the field of psychology. The test is useful in making critical decisions that may have a long-term impact on people's lives. Test misuse and user qualification have become an important concern among the professional groups of practitioners. The test should be of high reliability and validity; otherwise, the results do not only damage the reputation of the psychologists, but also harm the public. These papers will discuss the major concerns of testing relative to the standards of testing, and how the concerns affect the general principles of psychology code of conduct (Hall, Howerton, & Bolin, 2005) Committee of test and standards (1952) argues that the psychological test should be carried out by psychologists who are certified, licensed and credentialed by the appropriate statutory body as a state, or provincial body of psychology. However is has been noted that testing technicians also participate in administering test, despite, their lack of required qualification. Testing technicians are required to work under a licensed psychologist and should only administer selected psychological test, because, they have not received graduate level instruction in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of the tests. Psychological test requires an in-depth understanding of testing and psychology in addition to supervised experience in the proper use of test devices. Technicians hold an undergraduate degree in psychology or related field; they mostly lack an advanced degree in psychology, required for licensing. The use of testing technician violates the general principles of psychology code of conduct that requires that the test administers to meet the required qualification in terms of education, supervised training, experience, and credentials, and should operate on their line of competence. The code also stipulates that test users should take responsibilities for their use of test and should only instruments for which they are qualified (general guidance for providers of psychology services, 1987). The code further insists on the integrity and security of the test. According to NASP, the test administer must have gone through rigorous training that involves; test development and standardization, statistics and measurement the theory and practice, selection administration, scoring, and interpretation of a wide range of assessment devices, extensive supervision including direct observation and education, factors that affect test performance and interpretation(Hall, Howerton, & Bolin, 2005). In conclusion, NASP states that the test technician fall short of the mentioned qualifications and, therefore, are no eligible to administer the test, their conduct is termed unethical and out of moral, technical and legal guidelines. The test technicians must therefore, work under the guidance of a licensed psychologist, in performing defined tasks like secretarial and clerical assignment, none psychometric data gathering, and administering proctoring or scoring none projective assignment and include self-report inventories and do not require psychological education (Hall, Howerton, & Bolin, 2005) . Barth (2002), when addressing the issue of use of test technicians asserts that most psychology bodies like, APA, AACN, and NAN accept the use of test technicians. The writers state that the use of the test technicians extend the service to broader populations, who are not in a position to receive the services of the few available registered psychologist. The writers whoever insist on the test technicians working under the silenced psychologist who must be responsible for the actions the test technicians, they must further ensure that the test technicians only perform the task that match their competency. Clinical neuropsychology conforms to the two studies on the use of test technicians in psychology according to, use of testing technicians in the delivery of psychological and neuropsychological services (2014). The study states that the use of the technicians helps in maintaining the objectivity of data collection and minimizes potential bias, increasing the reliabili...