NCJ Number
86436
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (1982) Pages: 126-132
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the psychological report writing skills of a representative group of correctional personnel responsible for writing such reports.
Abstract
Although psychological testing and report writing skills are not typically required to obtain positions as correctional psychologists, probation officers, and probation supervisors, their recommendations are widely used by judges and strongly influence their sentencing decisions. Participants in this study were 22 correctional psychologists, probation officers, and probation supervisors involved in a community diagnostic program. Their current skills in psychological report writing were assessed according to the criteria of (1) inclusion of only relevant material, (2) absence of overspeculation, (3) reasonable organization, (4) appropriate word usage, (5) conclusions supported by the data obtained, (6) statements clearly written and easily understood, and (7) report being relevant to the referral question. A number of the participants exhibited unacceptable and minimally acceptable report writing abilities. Several months after the assessment, the same group attended a 3-day workshop designed to increase competency in psychological report writing. The first half-day session consisted of lecture and discussion of the basic factors of psychological report writing. The second half-day session involved a discussion of the basic factors as applied to examples of a well-written and a poorly-written psychological report. The third half-day session consisted of observation of a role-played interview by the instructors. Based on observation of the role play, each participant wrote a psychological report, which was assessed by the instructor. The final half-day session involved a discussion of the overall strengths and weaknesses of the student reports. The effectiveness of the training was tenuous, indicating a need for further research into training methods. Sixteen references are listed.