Clinical Psychology

General aims The general objectives of the course are: To provide an in-depth understanding of the theory and methodologies of clinical psychometrics applied to the measurement of mental health and quality of life; Prepare students to critically evaluate and apply psychometric tools in research and clinical contexts; Encourage the adoption of an ethical and scientifically informed approach in measuring the psychological aspects of health. Specific aims Knowledge and understanding Students will acquire knowledge on the following aspects of the discipline: Fundamental principles of psychometrics, including validity, reliability, and standardization techniques; Various scales and instruments used to measure quality of life and mental health; How psychometric measurements influence the assessment of effectiveness of treatments and clinical interventions. Applying knowledge and understanding At the end of the course, students will be able to: Select and apply appropriate psychometric tools based on specific research or clinical practice needs; Interpret the results of psychometric tests and use them to make clinical or research assessments; Adapt psychometric tools to different cultural and social contexts. Making judgments Students will develop the ability to: Critically evaluate research literature on psychometrics applied to mental health and quality of life; Identify limitations of existing psychometric tools and potential areas for improvement; Make informed choices in selecting measurement instruments for specific research or clinical contexts. Communication skills Students will learn to: Effectively communicate psychometric results to colleagues, researchers, and patients, using appropriate and accessible language. Present and defend methodological choices in academic and professional contexts. Learning skills Students will be able to: Continuously update themselves on new methodologies and psychometric tools; Apply the acquired skills to enhance their professional or research practice. Prerequisites To fully benefit from the course, students should have: Basic knowledge of mathematics and statistics; Familiarity with the general principles of clinical psychology as an evidence-based empirical science.