APA Code of Ethics in Testing

According to the American Psychological Association; it identifies nine areas in the Ethics code
in regards to psychological Testing.

These nine areas include competence, informed consent, knowledge of results, confidentiality,
test security, test construction and publication, automated scoring/interpretation systems,
qualified persons, and test user qualifications.

1. Competence: The first area in the ethics code dealing with psychological testing is
identified by the APA as competence. In order to administer and employ tests correctly, one has
to be competent, according to Hogan, in the assessment concepts and methodology. Hogan
goes on to state that the concepts a psychologist must be familiar with are norms, reliability,
validity, and test construction, and in regards to methodology administration, scoring, and
technical characteristics. Psychologists who administer psychological tests must always stay
current on their understanding and expertise concerning psychological tests.

2. Informed consent: The second area of the ethics code recognized is informed consent.
This basically means that a subjects participation in testing must be voluntary. In order for it to
be voluntary, a person has to be informed in words they will understand exactly what they are
agreeing to by consenting to take part in the testing. The participant must also be informed
according to Hogan that they may withdraw consent at any time. For example, if an
individual is taking a test on racial ethnicity and after page three feels uncomfortable with a
concept he/she is being questioned on, the test taker has the right to withdraw their consent
and opt to stop the testing.

3. Knowledge of results: In addition to competence and informed consent, another
area of the ethics code is knowledge of results. A person that participates in a test has the right
to know their results. These results should be easy to comprehend for the participant and above
all they should walk away knowing exactly what their results meant.

4. Confidentiality: The next area of the ethics code is confidentiality. Only under
extreme circumstances is confidentiality broken without consent. Otherwise a psychologist
should keep the results and information gained from the testing completely confidential. This
confidentiality also carries over, as stated by Hogan, into record keeping. The records should
be safe and secure at all times unless consent is given by the test taker to have the results
released to another professional.

5. Test security: Then, test security is the fifth area of the ethics code. None of the secrets
of how the material is scored and interpreted should be released to anyone. There are
exceptions to this oath such as in training new psychologists on how to use the instrument.
Other than that, however, the oath to preserve the integrity of the psychological testing
methods should be kept within the profession of Psychology.

6. Test construction and publication: Additionally, test construction and publication
plays an important role in the ethics code. As explained by Hogan, test developers must
maintain high standards in developing tests and refrain from making unwarranted claims
about the quality of their products. These developers must be knowledgeable in their field and
understand the relevance of their test. Hogan points out that the test developer should also be
extremely familiar with the concepts of reliability, validity, and norms and apply that
knowledge when constructing their own tests.

7. Automated scoring/ Interpretation systems: Another point in the ethics code is
automated scoring/interpretation systems. The advances in technology within the psychology
field have now created computer programs that can interpret the tests. Nevertheless,
psychologists are still responsible for the correct interpretation of the results. As part of the code
of ethics, psychologists cannot transfer the blame of invalid test interpretation to the softwares
creator.

8. Qualified Person: Furthermore, under the code of ethics, Hogan goes on to explain
that psychologists are responsible to make sure that unqualified people that are connected to
them do not have any part in the testing process. Unqualified people are not allowed to
administer the test nor interpret the results. Psychologists have to again take care to preserve
the integrity of the tests and only allow trained professionals to assist them in their testing
should they need assistance.

9. Test user qualification: And lastly, test user qualifications are a very important
aspect in the code of ethics. Test users have to have specific qualifications to order and
administer tests. According to Hogan, Standards established a three-tier system to define test
users credentials; tier one is called Level A which requires minimal training, reading simple
directions. Level B calls for some knowledge of technical characteristics of tests and Level C
wants advanced training in test theory.

APA Code of Ethics in Testing

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

APA Code of Ethics in Testing

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

APA Code of Ethics in Testing

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

According to the American Psychological Association; it identifies nine areas in the Ethics code

in regards to psychological Testing.

You might also like