Official Position Statement of the National Academy of Neuropsychology (original) (raw)

2000, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

A major practice activity of neuropsychologists is the evaluation of behavior with neuropsychological test procedures. Many tests, for example, those of memory or ability to solve novel problems, depend to varying degrees upon a lack of familiarity with the test items. Hence, there is a need to maintain test security to protect the uniqueness of these instruments. This is recognized in the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (American Psychological Association, 1992; Principle 2.1, Maintaining Test Security), which specify that these procedures are to be used only by psychologists trained in the use and interpretation of test instruments (APA Principles 2.01, 2.06, Unqualified Persons). In the course of the practice of psychological and neuropsychological assessment, neuropsychologists may receive requests from attorneys for copies of test protocols, and/or requests to audio or videotape testing sessions. Copying test protocols, video and/or audiotaping a psychological or neuropsychological evaluation for release to a non-psychologist violates the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA, 1992), by placing confidential test procedures in the public domain (APA Principle 2.10), and by making tests available to persons unqualified to interpret them (APA Principles 2.02, 2.06). Recording an examination can additionally affect the validity of test performance (see NAN position paper on Third Party Observers). Such requests can also place the psychologist in potential conflict with state laws regulating the practice of psychology. Maintaining test security is critical, because of the harm that can result from public dissemination of novel test procedures. Audio-or video-recording a neuropsychological examination results in a product that can be disseminated without regard to the need to maintain test security. The potential disclosure of test instructions, questions, and items by replaying recorded examinations can enable individuals to determine or alter their responses in advance of actual examination. Thus, a likely and foreseeable consequence of uncontrolled test release is widespread circulation, leading to the opportunity to determine answers in advance, and to manipulation of test performance. This is analogous to the situation in which a student gains access to test items and the answer key for a final examination prior to taking the test. Threats to test security by release of test data to non-psychologists are significant.