|
" Testing Practices in Africa: Developments and Attitudes towards Testing and Test Use "
Scheepers, Gary Norman
Odendaal, Aletta
| Document Type
|
:
|
Latin Dissertation
|
| Language of Document
|
:
|
English
|
| Record Number
|
:
|
1058964
|
| Doc. No
|
:
|
TL58081
|
| Main Entry
|
:
|
Scheepers, Gary Norman
|
| Title & Author
|
:
|
Testing Practices in Africa: Developments and Attitudes towards Testing and Test Use\ Scheepers, Gary NormanOdendaal, Aletta
|
| College
|
:
|
University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
|
| Date
|
:
|
2020
|
| Degree
|
:
|
M.Com
|
| student score
|
:
|
2020
|
| Note
|
:
|
93 p.
|
| Abstract
|
:
|
Orientation: Psychological tests are essential tools for psychologists in the decision making process in many countries all around the world, however standards of practice and test use vary considerably between countries. In the European context, there have been various studies aimed at addressing the testing attitudes and practices of psychological and psychometric test users and the implications on test development. There has been research within countries in Africa on testing attitudes and practices, however a benchmark study that can be used as a baseline for comparison between African countries and between the African and European contexts has never been implemented. Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the testing attitudes and practices of psychology practitioners within the African context to enable comparison with testing attitudes and practices within the European context. In addition, the aim was to contribute towards a better understanding of the state of psychological testing worldwide. Motivation for the study: Despite the widespread use, psychological tests continue to receive critique regarding potential misuse and incorrect application by unqualified test users. Given contextual differences between countries within Europe and Africa it was deemed important to get a better understanding of the weaknesses and challenges as perceived by practitioners and to put measures in place to advance test use and mitigate associated risks. The outcome of the study could further guide the actions and measures taken by regulatory bodies, professional associations and other stakeholders. Research design: A quantitative, cross-sectional research design using snowballing as sampling technique was adopted to obtain data at a single point in time regarding current testing attitudes and practices within the African context. The research utilised a web-based survey design based on the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations Questionnaire on Test Attitudes of Psychologists (EQTAP) that was adapted from similar studies conducted in European countries to enable comparisons across countries. The African sample consisted of psychological professionals from different domains of psychology within the respective countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Uganda). The Psychological Societies identified in the respective countries, emailed the link to the web-based survey to their membership. Analyses/results were restricted to South Africa and Nigeria due to low response rates from the other countries. Main findings: A total of 141 responses were received from the African survey, with the addition of the Nigerian sample of 103 collected as part of the European survey, the total came to 244 with only 225 valid responses for analysis. The five scales constructed as part of the European study in 2016, were used as an organising framework in this study for further analysis on item level and for comparisons between countries. There were noticeable mean differences on item level as well as statistically significant differences at scale level between the countries in relation to the five scales: Concerns over incorrect test use (scale 1), Regulations on tests and testing (scale 2), Internet testing (scale 3), Appreciation of tests (scale 4), and Knowledge and training (scale 5). There were positive attitudes from the South African sample for scales 1 – 4 with a neutral attitude towards scale 5. Nigeria had positive attitudes towards scales 1, 2, 4, and 5 (although 5 was borderline neutral), whereas they had an overall negative attitude towards scale 3. European countries had positive attitudes towards scales 1, 2, and 4, with negative attitudes towards scales 3 and 5. Implications: This was a first attempt at obtaining a baseline measurement on testing attitudes and practices in the African context. Due to the low response rate the results cannot be considered representative of the countries surveyed, and the cross-sectional research design does not allow for data that is captured at a single point in time to be generalised to the population. However, the outcome of this study has highlighted areas of importance for future research, which could assist developments towards gaining an in depth understanding of the current state of testing attitudes and practices of psychological professionals in Africa. Contribution and value-add: The outcome of the research makes a contribution towards best practices with regards to test use in Africa and could be used by policy makers to set standards. The survey is furthermore intended to be a baseline measurement for future research to be conducted in the area of testing practices, to make comparisons across counties and to detect changes and developments over time.
|
| Descriptor
|
:
|
Attitudes
|
|
|
:
|
Internet
|
|
|
:
|
Occupational psychology
|
|
|
:
|
Psychologists
|
|
|
:
|
Quantitative psychology
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
Odendaal, Aletta
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
|
| |