Getting Started
Finding tests, measures and surveys to use in research is a process. There is a step-by-step approach to take to finding them:
Step 1: Use the Mental Measurements Yearbook , (MMY) an online database, to find out about your test and find reviews on the test. What this database will do for you is give you information on the test itself, and the reviews about using the test. This is important because it gives you some background on the test as well as info other people offer on using the test. Note: MMY does not give you the actual test, it just helps you pick a test and find info about it.
Step 2: Find a copy of the test. To do this, you can contact the person or entity that MMY gives you under "Publisher Information" to get a copy of the test. You can also try to find an article or dissertation that used the test and attached it as an appendix. The easiest way to do this is to use PsycInfo (our online database). On the main search page of PsycInfo, the top search section has a box labeled "Find." Next to that box is a box that says "Default Fields." You can change that box to say "TM Tests & Measures." Then you can type your search in the "Find" box for your topic. The other box that you should check is the box labled "Methodology" (down the page a bit). You should change that to the option that says "Empirical Study." All these changes will tell PsycInfo to search for original research (articles, dissertaions, etc) on your topic that has a test or measure in it.
Step 3: Get permission to use the test. Published tests and measures belong to the person who created it, they are their intellectual property and not just "up for grabs." You must get permission to use the test from the author or publisher of the test.
Things to keep in mind:
1) It takes time to find tests and measures. START EARLY!!!! Since you will be contacting people for permission and/or copies of the tests, this will add to the amount of time it takes you to complete this process.
2) Some authors or pubishers of the tests will expect you to pay for copies of the test. This has to do, again, with the fact that published tests are intellectual property and copyright laws and rules apply.
Here are some links to websites to help you if you need further information:
Tests & Measures Research Guide
This research guide was created by the Psychology librarian here at the CSULB Library. If offers many links and directions to tracking down and using tests, measures and surveys.
Locating Psychological and Educational Tests and Measurements
From the Social Work Library at the University of Michigan, this is a great overall site that goes into great depth explaining about tests and measures, espcially as it relates to Social Work.
FAQ/Finding Information About Psychological Tests
From the American Psychological Association, this great guide offers assistance in finding tests and measures.
ETS Test Collection - TestLink
From ETS, this is an online search engine to allow you to search for tests in the ETS library that have been collected from the early 1900's to the present and aquired from indivudual test authors, as well as test publishers.
Here are some print materials in our library that provide information on tests, measures and surveys:
Gender Roles: A Handbook of Tests & Measures
Ref HM253 B43
Handbook of Multicultural Assessment
Ref BF176 .H36 2001
Handbook of Psychiatric Measures
Ref RC473 P78 A46 2000
Measures for Clinical Practice
Ref BF176 .C66
Measures for psychological assessment : a guide to 3,000 original sources and their applications
Ref BF698.5 .C45
