Academic support to Universities and Students |
We have drawn up guidelines for universities and students who want to apply to Psytech for academic support. This document outlines our current research priorities and also explains what we expect from students and universities who want to make use of our academic support offer.
This document can be accessed from our Academic page.
| Standardisation
samples sought for new instruments |
We have a number of instruments for which we need standardisation samples and we would be very glad to cooperate with clients in obtaining sufficient norm, reliability and validity data to launch these tests in South Africa and have them classified if they are psychological tests.
These following tests have high priority:
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The Psytech Learning Styles Inventory
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A stand-alone Abstract Reasoning Test with a matrix completion item format (preliminary analyses indicate that this test has good reliabilities even across cultures).
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The Occupational Interest Profile Plus (OIP+) and expanded version of the OIP that includes better coverage of personality dimensions and also some values. This test needs to be fully researched and submitted for classification.
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The Industrial Proficiency test battery developed by Opra in New Zealand, including:
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A test of understanding of English instructions
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A very basic numeracy test
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A checking test
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A symbolic reasoning test (This is the only one of these tests that assesses a psychological construct - it will have to be submitted for classification, but the other tests are pure proficiency tests and will not be submitted)
Even though the Industrial Proficiency Test Battery consists largely of non-psychological tests, it still needs to be researched and validated to comply with the Employment Equity Act.
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Any clients who are interested in cooperating with this research effort should contact Nanette, Gillian or Mandy at our offices.
Psytech will make available booklets and credits for scoring and where feasible, calculate reliabilities and preliminary norms on the sample.
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Talk to us before you place your order |
Recently we have had some clients place large orders for test materials without consulting with us first, only to discover at a later stage that there is a more suitable instrument available for the project they wanted to run. Because we are an economically priced supplier, it has happened that some clients tender for large projects based on our website or catalogue and our price list without ever having had personal contact with us - and sometimes they even get the business. By then it is too late for us to help them, because they may be committed to executing the proposal on which they were awarded the tender.
We are more than willing to discuss your needs with you before you place an order. If you are a new client, tell us. We want you to succeed.
Unfortunately, we do not accept returns on pencil and paper materials. It is therefore very important that you should make sure that the instruments you order are appropriate for the project that you plan.
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Training |
Training courses will now be held mainly at our training venue at our offices in Greenside. The 2007 training schedule is available.
We have applied for registration as a CPD training provider, and are awaiting a response from the HPCSA. Because the course content was submitted for approval, clients are now encouraged to choose from our existing course offerings rather than to expect us to provide abbreviated or customised courses, since those will in all likelihood not qualify for CPD.
Is training essential?
Many of our clients use the Psytech tests without coming on training, and soon become expert users. Some clients struggle on their own and need guidance. We believe that the difference between these groups has something to do with whether they actually use the manuals and documentation. While we do not make training a requirement for access to the instruments, specific training on the use of the instruments is highly recommended, even for Psytech users who are all registered professionals.
If you do choose to use the tests without attending product-specific training, please make the effort to study the manuals and to familiarise yourself with the South African research background for the instruments. Our manuals and research information are extremely accessible. Knowing the tests and their usage considerations in South Africa is essential to ensure that you use the tests for the correct target populations, and that you interpret the scores correctly.
Psytech also offers training in the use of the software. Many users only scratch the surface of what the GeneSys software can do. Do yourself a favour and book a session for advanced GeneSys training and learn to use the Profiler system. It will save you so much trouble and time in the future.
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Using Psytech tests to assess competencies |
Recently a number of clients have presented us with extremely extensive competency models and asked us if we can assess those competencies with the Psytech tests (sometimes they specify a particular test battery).
The short answer (can it be done?) is almost always "yes".
The long answer - which relates to how it should be done, is usually a consulting project. We can tell you how to go about it, but to actually do it, can involve quite a lot of consulting time if the competency model is very big and you want us to do the work. Lately we have been presented with sets of more than 20 competencies.
Preferably a validity study should be done to establish the grounding for your mapping to competencies. Sometimes we can draw on earlier research or research done elsewhere.
At this stage the most appropriate Psytech technology to employ, is the Profiler module. You need the GeneSys software, and specific training in how to use it. Alternatively you can employ a spreadsheet to do the mapping to competencies.
People who want us to write a customised competency based report to address their in-house competencies, must expect a quote involving several days of consulting time. It can be done, but it takes time. If you are familiar with the competencies and with our tests, doing it yourself may be the best option.
Very soon Psytech will launch a competency-based reporting aid which should take a lot of the pain our of reporting on competencies from psychometric tests. This product will address the competency model on which the Psytech 360 degree appraisal instrument is based. Reporting on in-house, customised competencies, will always involve some conceptual work. It is quite possible to do this yourself, and some of our clients have done excellent work along these lines, sometimes with our help, and sometimes completely independently.
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Online testing takes off in a big way |
Psytech's online testing offering is proving very popular, especially with practitioners who are just starting out in a new practice. This option gives users access to online test administration and reporting without having to purchase the software, and it is much more economical than bureau scoring. The interface has been upgraded and now offers a state of the art appearance, ease of use, security and interactivity. The test administration process is also extremely robust, enabling users to recover from testing sessions that have been interrupted due to power or connectivity problems, with no loss of data. Reports can now be directly downloaded from the website, which means that you don't have to wait for a report to be emailed to you. This also bypasses problems that some clients have experienced with firewalls blocking their test results.
Online users please note - the "GODM" interface that was previously used is no longer in use. Online tests are now accessed directly through www.genesysonline.net. To use the online testing service, you need to have Flash Player version 8 or later installed on your computer. Flash Player is essential for the interface to work, and it is a free download. If your Flash Player is not up to date, online testing will not work.
Psytech online testing gives new users almost immediate access to the tests, with no license fee and no compulsory training.
If you have any problems accessing online testing or installing Flash Player, please contact Lolly:
If you want to request online access, please contact Gillian. Elzette or Loren
Before you will be given access to online testing, there are some documents to sign and we need to verify that your registration with the Health Professions Council is current.
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New instruments - standardisation samples sought |
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Academic support |
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Before placing your order |
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Training |
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Assessing competencies |
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Online testing |
