University of Surrey - Guildford
Registry
  
 

  
 
Registry > Module Catalogue
View Module List by A.O.U. and Level  Alphabetical Module Code List  Alphabetical Module Title List  Alphabetical Old Short Name List  View Menu 
2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: PSYM010 Module Title: ASSESSMENT AND THE WORKPLACE
Module Provider: Psychology Short Name: PS.M21
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: MCDOWALL A Dr (Psychology)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability

Autumn Semester

Assessment Pattern

Units of Assessment  
Method(s)  
Percentage Weighting
Coursework
 
Assignment 1: Selection Case study
50%
Coursework  
Assignment 2: Academic essay/Case study
50%

Module Overview
Prerequisites/Co-requisites

none

Module Aims

This module aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of theory and practice in accordance with two of the eight Level 1 Division of Occupational Psychology British Psychological Society Chartership areas of competence which are prerequisite for working towards Chartered Status. Specifically the competencies addressed are: ‘Personnel Selection and Assessment’ (Section 3 of the BPS criteria) and components 1-4 of ‘Performance Appraisal and Career Development’ (Section 4 of the BPS criteria).

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
•    Apply the research-practitioner model to the in-depth analysis and conceptualisation of practical issues underlying workplace assessment taking into consideration (a) the wider social, economic and political context (b) legal imperatives [e.g. Equal Opportunities] and (c) micro-political and ethical sensitivities
•    apply skills in the design and application of techniques of assessment for selection/ recruitment and performance appraisal
•    take a critical perspective on relevant theories and frameworks and scrutinise their usefulness given practical ramifications
•    work towards the completion of Level A (Ability) and Level B (Personality) Certificates of testing as independently assessed by a verified British Psychological Society assessor.  Whilst these courses are taught separately from this module, students need to recognise in their studies the link between this module and the certificates of competence.
Module Content

Session 1:    Introduction to case study– selecting the course representative for the MSc in Occupational Psychology using occupational psychology techniques. This will include introduction of different conceptual perspectives, and different techniques in the light of research evidence, such as personality, ability and situational judgment, assessment centres, CVs and application forms (4 hours)    Week 1, 5th October 2010,
9am to 1pm
Session 2:     Case study continued – preparation of tenders for the selection process, selecting the best tenders, implementation (4 hours)    Week 2, 12th October, 9am to 1pm
Session 3:    Running the process. Consideration of alternative techniques. Assignment write up clinic (4 hours student running the process)    Week 3, 19th October, 9am to 1pm
Session 4:     Introduction to theoretical perspectives on performance appraisal and feedback (4 hours)    Week 6, 9th November, 9am to 1pm
Session 5:     Student led seminars on performance appraisal and 360 degree feedback (4 hours)    Week 7, 16th November, 9am to 1pm

Methods of Teaching/Learning

Lectures and seminars. Completion of the module (and the acquisition of 15 course credits) requires a total of 18 contact hours in the form of lectures, workshops and seminars. Students are also required to invest a minimum of 132 hours of study time in completion of the module.

Selected Texts/Journals

Essential Reading
Chmiel, N. (2008, ed.). An introduction to work and organizational psychology. A European Perspective. Oxford: Blackwall Publishing.
Coaley, K. An introduction to psychological assessment and psychometrics. London: Sage
Cook, M. (2004). Personnel Selection and Productivity. Chichester: Wiley.
Rust, J. & Golombok, S. (2008). Modern Psychometrics (2nd ed). Routledge.

The Full Reading List is available on the Library web-site.
Last Updated
19th August 2010