Students

PSYN8853 – Advanced Evidence-Based Neuropsychological Assessment

2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jennifer Batchelor
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MClinNeuro
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to an evidence-based approach to neuropsychological assessment and familiarises students with the Wechsler scales that are commonly used in advanced neuropsychological practice. Detailed theoretical and clinical information is provided, as well as training in the administration and scoring of selected instruments. Tests covered include those typically employed to assess intellectual function and memory, and both adult and child assessment techniques are addressed. Students are introduced to the Advanced Clinical Solutions that include tests of premorbid function, performance validity, reliable change and demographic adjustment that advance the use and interpretation of clinical assessment. To support the first supervised clinical placement, a structure for clinical interviewing and history taking is introduced; counselling and assessment skills are presented to use to support distressed and to assess suicidal clients.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.
  • ULO2: Apply an evidence-based framework for judging the quality of psychometric measures, and demonstrate understanding of flexible hypothesis testing in neuropsychological assessment.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate skills in suicide and risk assessment, and responsibility in ethical practice.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
WISC-V Pass out Examination 0% Yes Week 13
Report using ACS Software 30% Yes Week 13
WAIS-IV Take home scoring Exam 15% Yes Week 13
WMS-IV Take home scoring Exam Part 1 15% Yes Week 13
WMS-IV Pass out Examination 0% Yes Week 13
Ethics Assignment 15% Yes Week 13
WAIS-IV Pass out Examination 0% Yes Week 13
Suicide and Risk Assessment Quiz 10% Yes Week 13
WMS-IV Take home scoring Exam Part 2 15% Yes Week 13

WISC-V Pass out Examination

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

The pass-out examination involves the student administering the WISC-V to an examiner who will assess their competency in test administration

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.

Report using ACS Software

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Students will generate four reports using the Advanced Clinical Solutions (ACS) software.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.
  • Apply an evidence-based framework for judging the quality of psychometric measures, and demonstrate understanding of flexible hypothesis testing in neuropsychological assessment.

WAIS-IV Take home scoring Exam

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 15%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

This is a take home scoring exercise based on the WAIS-IV

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.

WMS-IV Take home scoring Exam Part 1

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 15%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

This is a take home scoring exercise based on the WMS-IV

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.

WMS-IV Pass out Examination

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

The pass-out examination involves the student administering the WMS-IV to an examiner who will assess their competency in test administration

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.

Ethics Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 15%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

This is a 1000-word written assignment based on the Ethics Workshop

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate skills in suicide and risk assessment, and responsibility in ethical practice.

WAIS-IV Pass out Examination

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

The pass-out examination involves the student administering the WAIS-IV to an examiner who will assess their competency in test administration.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.

Suicide and Risk Assessment Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Students will complete 6- 7 short answer and 3- 4 multiple choice questions online. No time limit to complete. Test is open for 1 week.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate skills in suicide and risk assessment, and responsibility in ethical practice.

WMS-IV Take home scoring Exam Part 2

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 15%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

This is a take home scoring exercise based on the WMS-IV

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Administer, score, and interpret results on a variety of neuropsychological tests, taking into account base rates in clinical interpretation.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Lectures and workshops

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook