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Guidelines and other scientific documents

Below you will find updated versions of Guidelines in the areas of Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment, as well as other related documents.

These Guidelines provide important information on a particular topic and are intended to guide psychologists on what something should be or how something should be carried out with regard to professional practice, research and the teaching of psychological assessment, and the use of tests and other instruments.

The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide standards, procedures, scientific answers or regulatory recommendations as well as to assist psychologists in making informed decisions about topics, problems or conditions in such fields as: Assessment process; Standards for the use of Psychological Tests; Review model for the description and evaluation of psychological assessment instruments; Test Safety; Use of revised and new psychological and neuropsychological tests; Effects of practice in neuropsychological assessment; Presence of Third Party Observers in neuropsychological assessment; Test revisions and obsolete tests; Translation and Adaptation of Tests; Evaluation of effort, response bias and malingering; Code of ethics.

Developed by groups of experts/specialists, the Guidelines reflect a consensual understanding and are structured, substantiated documents that come from a comprehensive evaluation of the available evidence (e.g. relevant empirical and theoretical research, references).

The Guidelines regulate behaviour and are constantly being updated as new studies become available and knowledge advances.

Most of these Guidelines are open access.

References

  1. Almeida, L. S., Simões, M. R., Rocha, A. M., Seabra-Santos, M. J., Pires, A. & Ribeiro, R. B. (2003) [Comissão Portuguesa]. Directrizes Internacionais para a Utilização de Testes. Cegoc.
  2. American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education (AERA, APA, & NCME). (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing.
  3. American Psychological Association, APA Task Force on Psychological Assessment and Evaluation Guidelines (2020). APA Guidelines for Psychological Assessment and Evaluation. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/guidelines-psychological-assessment-evaluation.pdf
  4. American Psychological Association (2020). New APA guidance: How to do psychological testing via telehealth. https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/health-codes/testing/psychological-telehealth
  5. Bártolo-Ribeiro, R., Ferreira, C., Gavela, J., Machado, M., Novo, R., Sá, J. S., & Simões, M. R. (2022a). Sistema de Acreditação de Provas e Testes Psicológicos: Critérios e Linhas Orientadoras. [Psychological Test Accreditation System: Criteria and Guidelines] Documento produzido pelo Grupo de Trabalho constituído a partir do Conselho Consultivo para a Acreditação de Testes e Provas Psicológicas da Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses.
    https://recursos.ordemdospsicologos.pt/files/artigos/sistema_de_acredita____o_de_provas_e_testes_psicol__gicos-4.pdf
  6. Bártolo-Ribeiro, R., Ferreira, C., Gavela, J., Machado, M., Novo, R., Sá, J. S., & Simões, M. R. (2022b). Sistema de Acreditação de Provas e Testes Psicológicos: Critérios e Orientações para Submissão e Avaliação [Accreditation System for Psychological Tests: Criteria and Guidelines for Submission and Evaluation]. Documento produzido pelo Grupo de Trabalho constituído a partir do Conselho Consultivo para a Acreditação de Testes e Provas Psicológicas da Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses.
  7. Boone, K. B., Sweet, J. J., Byrd, D. A., Denney, R. L., Hanks, R. A., Kaufmann, P. M., Kirkwood, M. W., Larrabee, G. J., Marcopulos, B. A., Morgan, J. E., Paltzer, J. Y., Mindt, M. R., Schroeder, R. W., Sim, A. H., & Suhr, J. A. (2022). Official position of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology on test security. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 36(3), 523-545. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2021.2022214

  8. Boone, K. B., Kaufmann, P. M., Sweet, J. J., Leatherberry, D., Beattey Jr, R. A., Silva, D., Victor, T. L., Boone, R. P., Spector, J., Hebben, N., Hanks, R. A., & James, J. (2024). Attorney demands for protected psychological test information: Is access necessary for cross examination or does it lead to misinformation? An interorganizational position paper. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2024.2323222

  9. Bush, S. Jerry, Sweet, J., Bianchini, K. J., Johnson-Greene, D., Dean, P. M., & Schoenberg, M. R. (2018). Deciding to adopt revised and new psychological and neuropsychological tests: An inter-organizational position paper. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 32(3), 319-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2017.1422277
  10. Calamia, M., Markon, K., & Tranel, D. (2012). Scoring higher the second time around: Meta-analyses of practice effects in neuropsychological assessment. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 26(4), 543–570. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2012.680913
  11. Chafetz, M. D., Williams, M. A., Ben-Porath, Y. S., Bianchini, K. J., Boone, K. B., Kirkwood, M. W., Larrabee, G. J., & Larrabee & Ord, J. S. (2015). Official position of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology Social Security Administration Policy on validity testing: Guidance and recommendations for change. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29(6), 723-740. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2015.1099738
  12. Duff K. (2012). Evidence-based indicators of neuropsychological change in the individual patient: Relevant concepts and methods. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 27(3), 248–261. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acr120
  13. European Federation of Psychologists Associations, Task Force of the Board of Assessment of EFPA (2013). EFPA Review Model for the description and evaluation of psychological instruments: Test Review Form and Notes for Reviewers (Version 4.2.6). http://assessment.efpa.eu/download/650d0d4ecd407a51139ca44ee704fda4
  14. Fernandez-Ballesteros, R., De Bruyn, E. E. J., Godoy, A., Horke, L. F., Laak, J. T., Vizcarro, C., Westhoof, K., Westmeyer, H., & Zaccagini, J. L (2001). Guidelines for the Assessment Process (GAP): A proposal for discussion. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 17(3), 187-200. https://doi.org/10.1027//1015-5759.17.3.187
  15. Glen, T., Barisa, M., Ready, R., Peck, E., & Roebuck-Spencer, T. M. (2021) Update on third party observers in neuropsychological evaluation: An interorganizational position paper. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 35(6), 1107-1116. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2021.1901992
  16. Guilmette, T. J., Sweet, J. J., Hebben, N., Koltai, D., Mahone, E. M., Spiegler, B. J., Stucky, K., Westerveld, M., & Conference Participants (2020). American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology consensus conference statement on uniform labeling of performance test scores. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 34(3), 437-453. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2020.1722244
  17. Heilbronner, R. L., Sweet, J. J., Attix, D. K., Krull, K. R., Henry, G. K., & Hart, R. P. (2010). Official position of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology on serial neuropsychological assessments: The utility and challenges of repeat test administrations in clinical and forensic contexts. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 24(8), 1267–1278. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2010.526785
  18. Heilbronner, R. L., Sweet, J. J., Morgan, J. E., Larrabee, G. J., Millis, S. R., & Conference Participants1. (2009). American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology Consensus Conference Statement on the neuropsychological assessment of effort, response bias, and malingering The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 23(7), 1093–1129. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854040903155063
  19. International Test Commission (ITC) (2015). Guidelines for practitioner use of test revisions, obsolete tests, and test disposal. https://www.intestcom.org/files/guideline_test_disposal.pdf
  20. International Test Commission (ITC) (2017). The ITC Guidelines for Translating and Adapting Tests (Second edition). https://www.intestcom.org/files/guideline_test_adaptation_2ed.pdf
  21. Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (2024). Código Deontológico. https://www.ordemdospsicologos.pt/pt/cod_deontologico
  22. Roebuck-Spencer, T. M, Glen, T., Puente, A. E., Denney, R. L., Ruff, R. M., Hostetter, G., & Bianchini, K. J. (2017). Cognitive screening tests versus comprehensive neuropsychological test batteries: A National Academy of Neuropsychology Education paper. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 32(4), 491-498. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acx021
  23. Sweet, J. J., Benson, L. M., Nelson, N. W., & Moberg, P. J. (2015). The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, National Academy of Neuropsychology, and Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (APA Division 40) 2015 TCN Professional Practice and ‘Salary Survey’: Professional Practices, Beliefs, and Incomes of U.S. Neuropsychologists. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29(8), 1069–1162. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2016.1140228
  24. Sweet, J. J., Heilbronner, R. L., Morgan, J. E., Larrabee, G. J., Rohling, M. L., Boone, K. B., Kirkwood, M. W., Schroeder, R. W., Suhr, J. A., & Conference Participants (2021). American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) 2021 consensus statement on validity assessment: Update of the 2009 AACN consensus conference statement on neuropsychological assessment of effort, response bias, and malingering. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 35(6), 1053-1106. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2021.1896036

Psychological Reports

The Psychological Report is a means of written communication of the process, main results and conclusions of the Psychological Assessment. This document includes an objective characterisation and an integrative and meaningful synthesis of important attributes of psychological functioning (intellectual/cognitive, personality, emotional, behavioural, adaptive), identified mainly from techniques such as interviews, tests and other instruments with known psychometric properties.

The report describes how the assessment process was implemented, through sections presented in an organised and logical sequence. It also sets out the psychologist’s reasoning and argumentation in communicating the evidence, the comprehensive formulation of the case and the conclusions reached.

The Report often contains confidential information and constitutes a record of the assessment carried out, which is useful for potential later use, including long-term reassessments, thus facilitating the analysis, control and monitoring of the evolution of the person’s functioning (progress, deterioration).

In this respect, writing a report is a fundamental skill for addressing and applying the knowledge of psychology in an increasingly demanding and scrutinised specialised activity.

References

  1. Moniz, M., Paulino, M., Duro, D., & Simões, M. R. (2024, in press). O Relatório Neuropsicológico [The Neuropsychological Report]. In Diana Duro & Mauro Paulino (Coords.), Neuropsicologia Clínica [Clinical Neuropsychology]. Pactor.
  2. Simões, M. R. (2001). Informes psicológicos en contexto forense [Forensic psychological reports]. In F. Jiménez Gómez (Coord.), Evaluación psicológica forense – Vol. III: Ámbitos delictivos, laboral y elaboración de informes [Forensic Psychological Assessment - Vol. III: Criminal, work-related and report writing] (pp. 157-186). Amarú.
  3. Simões, M. R. (2004). Forensic psychological report. In R. A. Gonçalves, R. Roesch, C. Machado, & F. Winkel (Eds.), Victims and offenders: Chapters on psychology and law (pp. 217-225). Politeia.
  4. Simões, M. R. (2005). Relatórios psicológicos: Exercícios de aproximação ao contexto forense [Psychological reports: Exercises in approaching the forensic context]. In R. A. Gonçalves, & C. Machado (Eds.), Psicologia forense [Forensic Psychology] (pp. 55-102). Quarteto Editora.
  5. Simões, M. R., & Paulino, M. (2022). Relatórios (Neuro)Psicológicos Forenses [Forensic (Neuro)Psychological Reports]. In F. C. Real, A. Santos, L. Cainé & E. Cunha (Coords.), Tratado de Medicina Legal [Legal Medicine Treatise] (pp. 1083-1098). Pactor.
  6. Simões, M. R., & Sousa, L. B. (2011). Traumatismos crânio-encefálicos no âmbito do Direito de Trabalho: Avaliação (neuro)psicológica e elaboração de relatório para tribunal [Traumatic brain injury in the context of Labour Law: (neuro)psychological assessment and court report writing]. In M. Matos, Rui A. Gonçalves, & C. Machado (Coords.), Manual de Psicologia Forense: Contextos, prática e desafios [Handbook of Forensic Psychology: Contexts, practice and challenges] (pp. 351-374). Psiquilibrios Edições.
  7. Simões, M. R., & Sousa, L. B. (2024, in press). Avaliação (neuro)psicológica e elaboração de relatório para Tribunal: O caso dos Traumatismos Crânio-Encefálicos no âmbito do Direito de Trabalho [(Neuro)psychological assessment and preparing a report for court: The case of Traumatic Brain Injury in the scope of Labour Law]. In M. Matos & Rui A. Gonçalves (Coords.), Manual de Psicologia Forense (2.ª ed.) [Handbook of Forensic Psychology, 2nd ed.]. Psiquilibrios Edições.
  8. Simões, M. R. (Book in preparation). Relatórios psicológicos: Teoria, prática e investigação.[Psychological reports: Theory, practice and research]

Master's dissertations [Empirical studies]

  1. Vieira, A. R. (2020). Forensic psychological reports: An empirical study about the quality assessment criteria according to psychologists and psychology students focus groups. Dissertação de Mestrado em Psicologia Forense. Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra.https://hdl.handle.net/10316/94527
  2. Ferreira, I. O. (2015). Relatórios Psicológicos em Contexto Forense: Análise de Relatórios elaborados na Direção Geral de Reinserção e Serviços Prisionais (DGRSP) [Psychological Reports in a Forensic Context: Analysis of Reports prepared at the Department of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP)]. Dissertação de Mestrado em Psicologia Forense. Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra. https://hdl.handle.net/10316/28896

Courses

Case Studies, Report Writing and Ethics in Neuropsychology. Master degree in Clinical Neuropsychology: Assessment and Rehabilitation. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal. [2019 – Current].

Assessment Instruments and Psychological Reports. Integrated Master in Psychology. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal. [2007-2019].

Online course: Psychological Assessment Reports

A course organised by the Portuguese Psychologists' Association (OPP) as part of the "Valuing Myself" training offer. The course consists of five (5) modules, has a total of 25 hours and 12.5 credits. It is accredited for the general training/speciality areas of Clinical and Health Psychology, Educational Psychology and Work, Social and Organisational Psychology. The course has already been taken by 2126 psychologists (49 editions; 2013-current). Author: Mário R. Simões.