Test Yourself: Developmental Psychology

I am afraid I am not very impressed with a textbook that any of us could produce, as it is basically an MCQ like those we all use at the end of a lecture to make sure students have followed. -- Caroline Floccia * drupal *
I think this resources is excellent (for tutors) and certainly gave me some good ideas about what to include in the MCQs at Coventry University. However, I would not like to recommend a text that basically just gives students questions and answers through MCQs. -- Dr Andrew Holliman * drupal *
Similar to other books in this range, this title offers an excellent resource for students. Whilst I would be unlikely to recommend it as essential (or order copies for the library) I would certainly recommend it as a study aid and revision tool for students. -- Dr Chris Bale * drupal *
It was too basic - tested rote learning rather than understanding -- Dr Christine Campbell * drupal *
The quizzes are very thorough yet I teach Lifespan Development so will only be using the text for certain revision aspects of the course. -- Dr Esther Burkitt * drupal *
Too specific- questions asked will be dependent on individual lecture content. -- Dr Gayle Brewer * drupal *
Very useful. -- Dr Jacquie Don * drupal *
A very useful addition to developmental courses as it encourages students to get into the habit of checking their own knowledge. -- Dr Karen Goodall * drupal *
I liked the range and level of MCQ essay questions and fill-in-the-blank questions; a useful resource. The book could be improved by recommending text books on which the tests are based. These “learning through assessment” books are well-structured and contain an impressive database of relevant test questions at an appropriate level. The individual books would be suitable for undergraduates and some postgraduates in psychology. The subjects covered are a good match for the range of topics being taught in psychology departments today; all major research areas are well covered. \
The main strength of the series are the multiple choice questions, which have been well researched and follow good practice guidelines for the construction of this type of question. The “Succeeding at MCQs” tips at the beginning of the books are a strength, as are the “extended” MCQ questions. Less of a strength are the very short chapter introductions, which could be expanded to give the student a more accurate idea of what is being tested. Some key references might be appropriate here also. The suggested sample essay questions at the end of each chapter are useful as examples. It is likely however that each higher education institution teaching these subjects will take a different approach and it would be appropriate to emphasise this diversity of approaches in the introduction to the essay questions. The guidelines on “Writing an Essay: a Format for Success” is useful but could be expanded (especially in light of the almost blank second page of this section). More detail should be given on essay structure and referencing, and a selection of carefully selected websites on essay writing would also be helpful. Similarly, the dangers of plagiarism in student essays is very important and is not mentioned.\
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Overall this series is impressive and students should be attracted. (It is very rare for universities to include MCQs in release of past papers to students, and the Test Yourself series may fill this gap.)\
I would recommend the individual texts to individual students with an interest in the individual subjects, rather than as a core text books for any particular course -- Dr Martin Campbell * drupal *
We have two large first year modules which contains a multiple choice exam at the end. Both of these modules include an element of Developmental Psychology so this text would be a useful recommendation for students to help them with their revision. I like the fact that there are 4 possible answers (as this is the format we use for our tests so it will be familiar to students), and the questions are organised into introductory and advanced. I also like the inclusion of some practice esay questions, although I would have liked to see more discussion of these in terms of example answers, example essay plans and discussion of the meaning of key words e.g. critically discuss, critically evaluate etc. -- Dr Rachel Maunder * drupal *
Like- original, only test yourself book I have come across. Well designed inside, good price. Dislike- N/A. -- Dr Sarah Logan * drupal *
Useful test stock to link to lecturing in accessible way. Some quotations seem idiosyncratic to author′s approach. -- Dr Sarah Norgate * drupal *
Great resource for students. Good variety of MCQ questions. -- Dr Sarah Rose * drupal *
This book has been recommended for supplemental reading on the developmental module at undergraduate level. I found it a very useful source that I feel will help those students wishing to test their understanding and therefore supplement the lecture and test materials used at the university -- Dr Sharon Preston * drupal *
I was hoping they would be useful as a stand-alone resource for 1st/2nd year and I think they will do that to some extent as some of the question will not have been covered in the lectures and textbooks that they have been reading. We will order some of these for the library I think and advise the students that study groups would find these very useful as well as individuals for study -- Dr Steve Kelly * drupal *
This is an excellent idea for learning about developmental psychology. The author orients the reader clearly and the organisation of the material flows and builds around a deep knowledge of the subject. -- Mr Paul Buckley * drupal *
I feel this text could be used as a support and encouragement of wider reading. -- Mrs Deborah Regan * drupal *
This book is an excellent resource for those students embarking on Psychology for the first time as an undergraduate. -- Ms Jean Davies * drupal *
It was rather clear and useful. I like the variety of MCQ styles but I thought they were a bit easy. -- Ms Morag MacLean * drupal *
These texts are next to useless for students. Staff will nick the odd question but that′s about it. Unlike A Levels there is no standard curriculum and so giving students questions that they cannot answer except by reading outside of the areas that they are being taught. The texts are not a good idea unless they are supported by a text that has closely mapped chapters. Further ..... too much of the book is made up of mcq .... at HE we are trying to get students to develop argument rather than knowing fact - I won′t be recommending them! -- Stuart Ross * drupal *