Test Use in Spain, Portugal and Latin American Countries

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Muñiz ◽  
Gerardo Prieto ◽  
Leandro Almeida ◽  
Dave Bartram
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Test Construction ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Psychometric Characteristics ◽  
Testing Practices ◽  
Professional Psychologists ◽  
Test Use ◽  
Latin American Countries

Summary: The two main sources of errors in educational and psychological evaluation are the lack of adequate technical and psychometric characteristics of the tests, and especially the failure to properly implement the testing process. The main goal of the present research is to study the situation of test construction and test use in the Spanish-speaking (Spain and Latin American countries) and Portuguese-speaking (Portugal and Brazil) countries. The data were collected using a questionnaire constructed by the European Federation of Professional Psychologists Association (EFPPA) Task Force on Tests and Testing, under the direction of D. Bartram . In addition to the questionnaire, other ad hoc data were also gathered. Four main areas of psychological testing were investigated: Educational, Clinical, Forensic and Work. Key persons were identified in each country in order to provide reliable information. The main results are presented, and some measures that could be taken in order to improve the current testing practices in the countries surveyed are discussed. As most of the tests used in these countries were originally developed in other cultures, a problem that appears to be especially relevant is the translation and adaptation of tests.

Testing Practices in the 21st Century

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Evers ◽  
José Muñiz ◽  
Dave Bartram ◽  
Dusica Boben ◽  
Jens Egeland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Countries ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Standing Committee ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Testing Practices ◽  
Professional Psychologists ◽  
Test Use ◽  
And Training ◽  
Total Item

The main goal of the European Federation of Psychologists’Associations (EFPA) Standing Committee on Tests and Testing (SCTT) is the improvement of testing practices in European countries. In order to reach this goal, the SCTT carries out various actions and projects, some of which are described in this paper. To better inform its work, it decided to survey the opinions of professional psychologists on testing practices. A questionnaire of 33 items was administered to a sample of 12,606 professional psychologists from 17 European countries. The questionnaire was based on, but not identical to, one used in 2000. The new data show that the positive attitude of the respondents toward the use of tests that was obtained in 2000 has increased in most countries, with a high percentage of the surveyed psychologists using tests regularly. Five main dimensions explained 43% of the total item variance. The dimensions involve items relating to: Concern over incorrect test use, regulations on tests and testing, Internet testing, appreciation of tests, and knowledge and training relating to tests and test use. Important differences between countries were found on these five dimensions. Differences were found according to gender for four of the five dimensions and in relation to field of specialization for all five dimensions. The most commonly used tests are the classic psychometric tests of intelligence and personality: WISC, WAIS, MMPI, RAVEN, 16PF, NEO-PI-R, BDI, SCL-90. Finally, some future perspectives are discussed.

Testing Practices in European Countries

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Muñiz ◽  
Dave Bartram ◽  
Arne Evers ◽  
Dusica Boben ◽  
Kruno Matesic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Active Role ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Technological Tools ◽  
Personality Questionnaires ◽  
Testing Practices ◽  
Professional Psychologists ◽  
The Right ◽  
Depression Scales

Summary: Tests constitute one of the technological tools most frequently used by psychologists in their professional practice. Like any other scientific technology, tests can be used both in appropriate and inappropriate ways. Currently, various institutions, both national and international, are developing projects and activities aimed at improving testing practices. In Europe, the Task Force on Tests and Testing created by the European Federation of Professional Psychologists' Associations (EFPPA) designed a questionnaire to sample the opinions of professional psychologists about tests and testing in order to help in making the right decisions for improving testing practices in Europe. This paper presents the results obtained using the EFPPA Questionnaire. A sample of 3,455 Spanish, 2,407 English, 2,079 Dutch, 321 Slovenian, 218 Croatian, and 210 Belgian psychologists responded to the questionnaire. In general, European psychologists show a positive attitude toward tests and testing, while at the same time expressing the need for institutions to adopt a more active role in promoting good testing practices. Results show that the tests most frequently used are intelligence tests, personality questionnaires, and depression scales. Finally, the results are analyzed in detail, and some possible measures for improving testing practices in Europe are discussed.

Guidelines for Test Users: A Review of National and International Initiatives

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Bartram
Keyword(s):  
Good Practice ◽  
The United States ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Standing Committee ◽  
National Initiatives ◽  
Professional Psychologists ◽  
Test Use ◽  
Innovation And Change ◽  
Test User

Summary: The paper describes why we need guidelines on test use and why, in particular, we need international agreement on what these guidelines should be. The work of the International Test Commission (ITC) is described and the ITC 's International Guidelines on Test Use are reviewed. Various other important national initiatives in Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States are described together with the work of the European Federation of Professional Psychologists Associations (EFPPA) Standing Committee on Tests and Testing. While there is considerable agreement on what constitutes good practice in test use, there is wide diversity in the ways in which different countries have attempted to implement good practice or regulate test use. The need for guidelines and test user qualification procedures to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate innovation and change in assessment practices is stressed.

Statement of Principle

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-227
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
International Child ◽  
The World ◽  
Latin American Countries

Since its inception, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been concerned with child health throughout the world. Although dramatic successes have been scored, the change of fundamental conditions necessary to produce major improvements in the lives and well being of children in many instances has not occurred. Morbidity and mortality rates for children remain tragically and unacceptably high. Low birth weight, malnutrition, preventable infections, waterborne diseases, diarrhea, alcohol and drug abuse, armed conflict, and other calamities take a heavy toll on children. Efforts to help stem the tide of disabling and lethal diseases in children have been mounted by many private, public, and multinational agencies. The AAP applauds and supports UNICEF, the Child Survival Programs, and other agencies in their efforts to promote mass immunizations, develop safe water supplies, improve nutrition, and foster the delivery of health services to children worldwide. The Academy believes the ultimate key to improving primary health care for all children is the development of partnerships in service, education, research, and advocacy by pediatricians throughout the world. To achieve this goal, a Task Force on International Child Health was established in 1987 to make and implement recommendations for improving global child health. The task force was recently assigned provisional committee status. The Academy's past international efforts have been principally focused in this hemisphere. Latin American countries were officially organized as districts and chapters in 1942, and a Committee on International Child Health was formed in the 1960s to facilitate collaboration between the United States and Latin American countries.

The History and Organization of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA)

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard P. J. Freeman ◽  
Sabine Steyaert
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Support ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Executive Council ◽  
Task Forces ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Professional Psychologists

In 1981, the European Federation of Professional Psychologists’ Associations (EFPPA) was formed with 13 member associations (one per country) and no centralized administrative support. Thirty years later, EFPPA has become EFPA with 35 member associations representing about 300,000 psychologists across Europe. EFPA is now based in offices in the center of Brussels, the administrative heart of Europe, with a Director and staff who support the work of the EFPA Executive Council and the various Standing Committees, Task Forces, and Working Groups. In this article, the development of EFPA and the challenges faced, and mostly overcome, are outlined.

Test movement in Ibero-Latin American countries

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange Muglia Wechsler ◽  
Maria Perez Solis ◽  
Conceicao Ferreira ◽  
Isabel Magno ◽  
Norma Contini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Latin American Countries

The Spanish Translation of Les Leçons de chimie élémentaire: On the Legal Status of Translation and its Various Values

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 201-215
Author(s):  
Tania P. Hernández-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Complex Network ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Spanish Translation ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Translation Rights ◽  
International Legal System ◽  
Latin American Countries ◽  
Legal Battle

Throughout the nineteenth century, European booksellers and publishers, mostly from France, England, Germany and Spain, produced textual materials in Europe and introduced them into Mexico and other Latin American countries. These transatlantic interchanges unfolded against the backdrop of the emergence of the international legal system to protect translation rights and required the involvement of a complex network of agents who carried with them publishing, translating and negotiating practices, in addition to books, pamphlets, prints and other goods. Tracing the trajectories of translated books and the socio-cultural, economic and legal forces shaping them, this article examines the legal battle over the translation and publishing rights of Les Leçons de chimie élémentaire, a chemistry book authored by Jean Girardin and translated and published in Spanish by Jean-Frédéric Rosa. Drawing on a socio-historical approach to translation, I argue that the arguments presented by both parties are indicative of the uncertainty surrounding the legal status of translated texts and of the different values then attributed to translation.

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