Introduction
The interpretation of test scores in psychology utilizes several techniques such as standardization and descriptive statistics. These techniques are used to derive correct interpretations.
When interpreting tests scores, numerical data is involved. Descriptive statistics is used to summarize and organize the tests scores in a manner that the interpretation process is done easily thereafter. Descriptive statistics is used in the form of histograms, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts and other forms of descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics help in showing how the test scores are distributed. Presenting test score information in descriptive statistics allows for easy comparison, analysis of trends and result evaluation.
Standardization
Standardization is the streamlining of the collected test score data into one compatible form of measurement. When test scores are obtained, they are in different measures, and this affects interpretation. Standardization allows the psychologist to measure all test results using the same scale.
Example
A psychologist wants to determine the emotional intelligence of workers in three departments of an organization. He has to do a survey on a sample of workers in each department. He interviews all the workers and records their test scores. The practitioner standardizes this information by establishing an identical scale of measurement for all scores across all three departments. The next step is to plot bar graphs with the test scores on the y-axis and respondent name on the x-axis. There will be one bar graph for each department. From then on, the interpretation can be done by simply observing the scores of respondents from each department.
Conclusion
Therefore, descriptive statistics and standardization are useful in the interpretation process of test scores. They make the process of interpretation easy and efficient.
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