Psychology

Tests and measurements in psychology are used for research, diagnosis or assessment to find the solution of a problem. In most cases, psychological tests evaluate and assess the information that a client gives to a psychologist. This information is usually given in the form of answers on paper or answers to an interview. Ultimately, the accuracy of the test largely depends on how seriously and carefully a client responds and answers the questions.

DISCUSSION
How test and measurements are used in educational and clinical practice
In most cases, psychological tests fall into numerous categories like aptitude and achievement tests, intelligence tests, occupational tests, neuropsychological tests, personality tests and specific clinical tests (Wilson  Reschly, 1996). Aptitude and achievement tests are usually applied in educational establishments or employment settings. These tests usually attempt to determine how much knowledge a person has on different topics for example spelling or mathematics or how much ability a person has to master some materials in a given area.

Intelligence tests normally attempt to measure the intelligence of a person that is, the essential capability to understand the simple things in the world, absorb the way it functions, and apply the relevant knowledge to enhance the quality of a persons life (Norcross, Karpiak  Santoro, 2005). Neuropsychological tests try to measure certain deficits in the cognitive functioning that is their ability to speak, reason and think, which may result from a kind of brain damage. Occupational tests usually endeavor to match a persons interest with the interests of people in their careers. On the other hand, personality tests try to measure a persons basic personality style and are mostly used in forensic settings or in research to help with a diagnosis of a patient.

Differences between testing in clinical and educational settings
In educational settings, the tests that may be used on the students are achievement and aptitude tests and intelligence tests. The main objectives of these tests will be to determine how much a student has on different topics such as in arithmetic as well as measure the intelligence of a student. In a clinical setting, the tests that can be performed on a client are neuropsychological and personality tests. Personality tests are commonly used to aid in clinical diagnoses. The two most common types of personality tests used in the clinical setting are

The Rorschach test is composed of several cards of inkblots where a client is required to give a description of the images and the feelings that they feel, when looking at the inkblots (Wilson  Reschly, 1996).

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test is composed of various yes and no questions.

Implications of tests and measurements either in a clinical or educational setting
Psychological tests are very important as they were created for the following reasons First, the information that is derived from tests is more logically consistent that the information that is derived from a clinical interview. Secondly, it is actually easier to derive information from conducted tests than by conducting any clinical interviews, as people tend to be more open during the tests. Thirdly, it is very hard for a client or a student to give any false information on a test than in an interview because tests usually do not give any clues to what should be answered. Additionally, tests are usually more effective when used in educational settings because the students can never give any false information. At the clinical setting, the test will help the psychologist to quickly derive at a diagnosis and this will enable effective treatment of the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION
Tests and measurements in psychology are used for research, diagnosis or assessment to find the solution of a problem. In most cases, psychological tests fall into numerous categories like aptitude and achievement tests, intelligence tests, occupational tests, neuropsychological tests, personality tests and specific clinical tests. In educational settings, the tests that may be used on the students are achievement and aptitude tests and intelligence tests while in a clinical setting, the tests that can be performed on a client are neuropsychological and personality tests. Therefore, tests are usually more effective when used in educational settings because the students can never give any false information. At the clinical setting, the test will help the psychologist to derive at a diagnosis and this will enable effective treatment of the diagnosis.