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Measurement Tools/Research Instruments

Tips on how to find information about research instruments such as questionnaires.

Sample Scenario

You are a school counselor who has been told to lead a support group for students at-risk for school dropout. You need to do an initial self-assessment of each child and have been told to use the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. You are unfamiliar with the test and its administration.

Where can you find a copy of this test?

Preliminary Questions

  • Do you have the correct name or title of a test?
  • What is the test supposed to measure?
  • Is this test appropriate for your subjects?
  • Do you need a full copy of the test?
  • Do you know how to administer the test?

Verify Test Information

  • To obtain or view a test, be sure to have correct test information such as the full title and author.
  • There are a number of sources available for you to verify test information. These consist of both commercial and non-commercial sources.
  • View the entire resource table.
  • These sources contain records describing thousands of test instruments.
  • These sources do not generally include the full-text of tests.

ETS Test Collection

Detailed Description | Search Tips
A database of descriptive information for over 25,000 tests from varying fields with an emphasis on education; includes Tests in Microfiche.

REDCap Shared Library

Detailed Description  
A repository for REDCap data collection instruments and forms that can be downloaded and used by researchers at REDCap partner institutions.

Tests in Print (TIP)

Detailed Description | Search Tips | Sample Pages [pdf]
A multi-volume publication consisting of descriptive listings and references to commercially published tests that are in print and available for purchase and use.

Check Other Test Sources

  • Other sources of verification include specialty directories and journal databases.

  • Tests listed in these sources are referred to as unpublished tests and measures.

Directory of Unpublished Experimental Mental Measures

Detailed Description | Search Tips | Sample Pages [pdf]
Directory of noncommercial experimental test instruments.

JOURNAL DATABASES: CINAHL , ERIC , PsycInfo , Sociological Abstracts , etc.  

Locate the Full Text of a Named Test

  • To obtain or view a test, be sure to have correct test information such as the full title and author.
  • There are a number of sources available for you to verify test information. These consist of both commercial and non-commercial sources.
  • View the entire resource table.
  • These sources contain records describing thousands of test instruments.
  • These sources do not generally include the full-text of tests.

ETS Test Collection

Detailed Description | Search Tips
A database of descriptive information for over 25,000 tests from varying fields with an emphasis on education; includes Tests in Microfiche.

REDCap Shared Library

Detailed Description  
A repository for REDCap data collection instruments and forms that can be downloaded and used by researchers at REDCap partner institutions.

Tests in Print (TIP)

Detailed Description | Search Tips | Sample Pages [pdf]
A multi-volume publication consisting of descriptive listings and references to commercially published tests that are in print and available for purchase and use.

Check Other Test Sources

  • Other sources of verification include specialty directories and journal databases.

  • Tests listed in these sources are referred to as unpublished tests and measures.

Directory of Unpublished Experimental Mental Measures

Detailed Description | Search Tips | Sample Pages [pdf]
Directory of noncommercial experimental test instruments.

JOURNAL DATABASES: CINAHL , ERIC , PsycInfo , Sociological Abstracts , etc.  

Locate Test Publisher or Author

  • Commercially available tests are usually purchased through test publishers.
  • Publishers hold copyright to tests they distribute and they maintain copies of tests, test manuals, and scoring keys.
  • Contact publishers directly for policies, forms, and purchase information.
  • If you plan on using commercial tests, allow time for order and delivery.
  • For tests that may be out of print commercially or may belong to the original author, contact the original author who developed the instrument and/or subsequent authors who used the instrument to learn more information on how to obtain the instrument.

ETS Test Collection

Detailed Description | Search Tips
A database of descriptive information for over 25,000 tests from varying fields with an emphasis on education; includes Tests in Microfiche.

Google

Detailed Description | Search Tips
A popular Internet search engine.