Examining perception of competency through practicum competencies outline
European Journal of Training and Development
ISSN: 2046-9012
Article publication date: 1 September 2015
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the self-perceived competencies of 231 Italian students enrolled in a psychological degree program and involved in a practicum. It analyzes the subjective perception of the competences that students expect to develop, acknowledge as developed and that might be inferred from tasks performed during the practicum; the level of expertise (novice, intermediate or advanced) of these competences; and the relation between the practicum facility and the competences.
Design/methodology/approach
This study administered an ad hoc survey comprising open-ended questions and used the Practicum Competencies Outline (Hatcher and Lassiter, 2007) as a framework for the content analysis.
Findings
The results revealed poor perception of some competency domains, such as Diversity: Individual and Cultural Differences; Development of Leadership; Application of Research and Ethics; and a frequent acknowledgment of Psychological Assessment and Professional Development. Before the practicum, the students expected to develop competence mainly at a novice level of expertise; after the practicum, the intermediate level of competences acknowledged as developed and inferred from performed tasks increased.
Research limitations/implications
The findings have implications for research on competence-based training, such as the necessity of self-assessment training evaluation.
Practical implications
Undergraduate psychology students must reflect on the value of psychological competences during their formative training to re-orient their learning process and build a competent professional role. Moreover, psychological facilities and university must share common objectives in training undergraduate students.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to analyze Italian college students’ subjective perceptions of psychological competencies expected or developed during practicum .
Keywords
Citation
Esposito, G., Freda, M.F. and Bosco, V. (2015), "Examining perception of competency through practicum competencies outline", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 39 No. 8, pp. 700-720. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-05-2015-0037
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited