Tests and Measures

General Guide to Finding Tests & Measures

PsycINFO

1. Use of the database thesaurus

A. Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms

Relatively few instrument titles will be found in this list of descriptors (i.e., subject terms). Only some very prominent instruments are included. They should be searched, as the subject of an article, like any other descriptor:

e.g., Bem-Sex-Role-Inventory in DE

It is useful to also conduct a free-text* search on the instrument title:

e.g., Bem Sex Role Inventory

A free-text search will identify other articles which mention the instrument, even if it is not the focus of the article.

B. Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors

No instruments titles will be found in this list of descriptors. Therefore, free-text searches are most appropriate.

___________

* Searching is usually done using a “controlled vocabulary”, a special set of index terms or descriptors that have been assigned to each article or book. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to search the entire record using a term that might not have been included as a key phrase or descriptor. This type of searching is called a free-text search.

2. What if the instrument title does not appear in the database thesaurus?

Just do a free-text search on the title name. In the free-text example, above, the search was not limited to a particular field. This approach will generally yield the greatest number of results.

However, free-text searches can be limited to specific fields if the initial search results are too broad.

e.g., Bem Sex Role Inventory in AB [AB = Abstract]

Bem Sex Role Inventory in TI [TI = Title]

Bem Sex Role Inventory in KP [KP = Key Phrase]

3. Can I search by the acronym for an instrument name instead of the full name of the instrument? Will that affect the results of my search?

In the abstract of a record, any time the acronym for an instrument name appears (e.g., BSRI), the full name of the instrument will also appear at least the first time the acronym is provided. Both the acronym and the full instrument title may appear in the article title; only the full title is likely to appear in the key phrase. Consequently, searching the full title will generally yield a greater number of records than a search restricted to the acronym.

4. In the PsycINFO database, how can I make use of the Content Classification System in my search for information on tests and measures?

Content Classification System categories and codes have to be used judiciously because, in general, only one category/code is assigned to each article indexed. This means that if the category/code selected does not reflect what the indexer thought was the most significant aspect of the article, the article will be missed. Check the appendix of the Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms to a table of the categories and codes. The code for the category of Psychometrics and Statistics and Methodology is 2200. The three subcategories listed with their codes are Tests & Testing (2220), Statistics and Mathematics (2240), and Research Methods & Experimental Design (2260). Let’s say that, for example, Tests and Testing is thought to be the most useful. The code 2220 can be combined, in either of two ways, with the name of a specific instrument (descriptor or free-text) of the descriptor for a type of instrument, For example:

Sample search A

#1 Rorschach-Test in DE

#2 cc=2220

#3 #1 and #2

Sample search B

#1 Projective-Personality-Measures in DE

#2 cc=2220

#3 #1 and #2

Sample search C

#1 Attitudes Toward Women Scale

#2 2220 in cc

#3 #1 and #2

5. How do I handle variant spellings when searching free-text in either database?

Utilize the database index. Instructions on the use of this function (key F5) are provided on the back side of the database Quick Reference Guides at the workstations.

Books to Consult

1. How can I find books in Pelletier Library pertaining to tests and measures?

There are several search categories that can prove quite helpful in finding material in our library. You might begin by using one of the following broad, general categories:

– psychometrics

– psychological tests

– psychology, applied

Then you may wish to limit your search in some fashion to a specific subset of these more general books (e.g., intelligence or personality). However, be careful that you don’t limit your search too much and thereby exclude some useful titles.

Here is a sample of the general books (and one periodical) on tests and measures that are available.

Anastasi, A. (1988). Psychological testing (6th ed.). New York: Macmillan.

[Stacks, 150.28 An15pe]

Bonjean, C. M., Hill, R. J., & McLemore, S. D. (1967). Sociological measurement: An inventory of scales and indices. San Francisco: Chandler Publishing Company.

[Stacks, 016.301 B642s]

Educational and Psychological Measurement

open shelves Vol 1 (1941) – Vol 39 (1979)

microfilm Vol 40 to the present

last five years are on reserve

Kline, P. (1993). The handbook of psychological testing. New York: Routledge.

[Stacks, 150.28 K685ha]

Lake, D. G., Miles, M. B., & Earle, R. B. (eds.) Measuring human behavior: Tools for the assessment of social functioning. New York: Teachers College Press.

[Stacks, 155.28 L148m]

Miller, D. C. (1991). Handbook of research design and social measurement (5th ed.). New Park, CA: Sage.

[Stacks, 301.072 M613hb]

O’Brien, N. P. (1988). Comprehensive test construction: A bibliography of selected sources. Westport, CT: Greenwood.

Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Committee to Develop Standards of Educational Psychological Testing. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

[Stacks, 371.26 Am35s]

2. What are some of the more useful books about tests and measures that the library has on hand?

Pelletier Library has a rather complete collection of books that describe and review various testing instruments. Some of them are kept in the reference area and are available for use within with library while others are on the shelves.

The following list highlights the more important of our holdings. Most of these books are designed to help test users identify and locate testing materials that will be useful for them. To help you identify which sources might be helpful, note the “Key To Content” associated with each title.

Key to Content of Test Reviews

D = Test Development

F = References

P = Publisher/Distributor

R = Reliability

S = Test subjects

T = Test sample

V = Validity

Beere, C. A. (1990). Gender roles: A handbook of tests and measures. Westport, CT: Greenwood.

[Key: D,F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Stacks, 305.3072 B392g]

Beere, C. A. (1990). Sex and gender issues: A handbook of tests and measures. Westport, CT: Greenwood.

[Key: D,V,P,R,S,T]

[Stacks, 155.3 B392s]

Beere, C. A. (1979). Women and women’s issues: A handbook of tests and measures. San Francisco: Josey-Bass.

[Key: D,F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Stacks, 305.4 B392w]

Bishop, L., & Lester, P. E. (1993). Instrumentation in education: An anthology. New York: Garland.

[Key: F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Stacks: 016.3 B541i]

Chun, K., Cobb, S., & French, J. R. (1975). Measures for psychological assessment: A guide to 3,000 original sources and their applications. Ann Arbor, MI: Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research.

[Key: F]

[Stacks, 016.15528 C472m]

Compton, C. (1996). A guide to 100 tests for special education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Globe Fearon.

[Key: P, R, S, V]

[Stacks, 371.26C 739g]

Educational Testing Service. ETS Test Collection Catalog. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.

[Key: P,S]

[Reference, 016.371 Et74a]

Vol. 1: Achievement Tests and Measurement Devices

Vol. 2: Vocational Tests and Measurement Devices

Vol. 3: Tests for Special Populations

Vol. 4; Cognitive Attitude and Intelligence Tests

Vol. 5: Attitude Tests

Vol. 6: Affective Measures and Personality Tests

All volumes of an earlier edition of this work are available. So far only volumes 1 and 2 of the new edition have been published.

Fischer, J., & Corcoran, K. (1994). Measures for clinical practice: A sourcebook (2nd Ed.). New York: Free Press.

[Key: F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Stacks, 150.287 F523ma] (two volumes)

Fredman, N., & Sherman, R. (1987). Handbook for measurements for marriage and family therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

[Key: F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Stacks, 616.8915 F874h]

Goldman, B. A., & Saunders, J. L. (1995). Directory of unpublished experimental mental measures (volume 6). New York: Behavioral Publications.

[Key: F]

[Reference, 150.28 G569d]

Hammill, D., Brown, L., & Bryant, B. R. (1994). A consumer’s guide to tests in print (2nd Ed.). Austin, TX: PRO-ED.

[Key: P]

[Stacks, 371.26 H183ca]

Hersen, M. (ed) (2003). Comprehensive handbook of psychological assessment. Hoboken, N.J. : J. Wiley & Sons.

[Key: D,F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Reference, 150.287 C738 h]

Volume 1: Intellectual and neurological assessment. Volume 2: Personality assessment. Volume 3: Behavioral assessmen. Volume 4: Industrial and organizational assessment

Hersen, M., & Bellack, A. S. (eds) (1988). Dictionary of behavioral assessment techniques. New York: Pergamon.

[Key: D,F,P,R]

[Reference, 150.28 D561.h]

Johnson, O. G., & Bommarito, J. W. (1971). Tests and measurements in child development: A handbook. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

[Key: F, P, R, S, T, V]

[Reference, 155.41 J635t]

Johnson, O. G. (1976). Tests and measurements in child development: Handbook II. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

[Key: F, P, R, S, T, V]

[Reference, 155.41 J635te]

Keyser, D. J., & Sweetland, R. C. (eds) (1984). Test critiques. Kansas City, MO: Test Corporation of America.

[Key: D,F,P]

[Reference, 150.28 T286] (10 volumes)

Keyser, D. J., & Sweetland, R. C. (eds) (1991). Tests: A comprehensive reference for assessment in psychology, education, and business (3rd ed.). Austin, TX: PRO-ED.

[Key: D,F,P]

[Reference, 150.28 T286sb]

Mental Measurements Yearbook. (published irregularly). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.

[Key: D,F,P,R,S,V]

[Reference: 016.1539 B937]

Note: Each edition consists only of commercial tests newly developed or revised since the publication of the previous edition. Therefore, you may need to look at several volumes to find the test you are looking for. We currently have 13 volumes.

Newmark, C. S. (1996). Major psychological assessment instruments (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

[Key: D, F, P, R, S, T, V]

[Reference, 150.28 M288na]

Robinson, J. P., Shaver, P. R., & Wrightsman, L. S. (1990). Measures of personality and social psychological attitudes. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

[Key: D,F,R,V,T]

[Stacks, 155.28 M463r]

Robinson, J. P., & Shaver, P. R. (1973). Measures of social psychological attitudes. Ann Arbor, MI: Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research.

[Key: F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Stacks, 301.1 R563ma]

Note: This updates Measures of Political Attitudes [Stacks, 320.019 R563m) and Measures of Occupational Attitudes and Occupational Characteristics [Stacks, 301.18 R564m].

Speen, O., & Strauss, E. (1981). A compendium of neuropsychological tests: Administration, norms, and commentary. New York: Oxford University Press.

[Key: F,P,R,S,T,V]

[Stacks, 152 Sp78c]

Sweetland, R. & Keyser, D. J. (Eds.). (various) Tests: A comprehensive reference for assessments in psychology, education, and business.  Austin, TX: PRO-ED.

[Key, P, S]

[Reference, 150.28 T289sb]

Touliatos, J. B., Perlmutter, B. F., & Straus, M. A. (1990). Handbook of family measurement techniques. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

[Key: F,P,T]

[Reference, 306.85 H191t]

Electronic Databases for Testing Instruments

In addition to PsycINFO, there are several specialized electronic databases that might be useful in locating a testing instrument for a specific purpose, The Buros Test Review Locator, the ERIC/AE Test Locator, the HaPI database and the ETS TestLink database.

1. The Buros Test Review Locator tells you which publications of the Buros Institute for Mental Measurements contain reviews and descriptions of the test you have identified. The reviews are not in this database, but in the Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print (copies in the library).  Immediate, on-line reviews are available but there is a $15 charge per review.

2. ERIC/AE  is a searchable database that includes tests:

  • appended to or contained in reports in the ERIC database
  • appended to journal articles

ERIC/AE excludes any test that is part of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Test Collection database. Search the ETS Test Collection (see link below to this site).

Tests listed in the collection are NOT available from this web site or from ERIC/AE.

* Tests in appended to or contained in ERIC reports can be ordered through the ERIC Document Reproduction Service. You will need the “ED” number. You can order on-line.

* Tests in journal articles may be obtained in academic libraries, or perhaps ordered through CARL. The Directory of ERIC Collections may help you find an academic library near you.

3. HaPI (Health and Psychosocial Instruments)

HaPI is a database of information about research and survey instruments, such as questionnaires, checklists, and interview forms. It is not a database of journal articles or book chapters on health related issues.

Some tests can be obtained directly from the publisher or the author while others are available from the company that produces HaPI (Behavioral Measurement Database Services).  Delivery of an instrument in the HaPI files from BMDS is $20.  In addition,  BMDS can provide instruments not in their file for $30 each.

Hints for using HaPI:

• The online documentation is useful and relatively complete. Just click Help to use online assistance.

• The truncation symbol in HaPI is ?. Add this to roots of words to retrieve variations. For example, if you are looking for research about alcohol use, type: alcohol? to retrieve alcohol, alcoholic, alcoholism, etc.

4. TestLink(Educational Testing Service) The TestLink database archives descriptions of the world’s largest collection of assessments and measurement devices–many not available anywhere else, including:

  • A variety of tests available from U.S. publishers;
  • Measurement instruments acquired from individual test authors;
  • Research and unpublished measurement devices; and
  • Foreign tests, including some from Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.

Some of these tests are available for immediate down load. The cost is $25 each.  Others are available on microfiche for $15 each..  The rest must be ordered directly from the publisher.  Details are on the web site.

Tests Owned by the Psychology Department

 The Psychology Department maintains a file cabinet with a large number of tests.  Check this link for the complete list, in alphabetical order, of these that are available locally.