Contents
[hidetoc]GETTING STARTED
Finding psychological tests and information on them is easier than ever
if you know how to look.
The fastest and best way available today is by using Mental Measurements
Yearbook (MMY) and Tests in Print (TIP) available
from EBSCOhost. This database contains information from MMY Yearbooks
9 through 17 and the current edition of Tests in Print. However,
there are additional resources in print that should also be consulted.
- Start at the library's Indexes and Databases page.
- Under the Major Vendors list, click on EBSCOhost, then click EBSCOhost Web
- Click in the check boxes for Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print.
- Click the Continue button
- You will now be able to search both of these at one time.
SEARCHING MMY AND TIP ON EBSCOHOST
Search by Keyword
- In the Find box, type keywords (ex: preschool and anxiety).
- Then, click the Search button. You will receive a results list (sorted by relevance) and on this list will be all the tests related to preschool and anxiety.
Search by Test Title
- Click the Advanced Search link from the Basic Search Screen (under the search box).
- In the Find box, type the title of a test (ex: Slosson Intelligence). If you enter a full test name and do not find it, do another search using only the main words in the test.
- Select Title from the drop down box and click Search.
Search by Test Category
- This is useful to see a list of tests that can be used for a broad topic such as personality.
- It is not necessary to enter a keyword, but can if need to be more specific.
- Click the Advanced Search link (below search boxes) if not in this search mode.
- Highlight the Test Category desired.
- Click the Search button.
Search by Index (Must search MMY and TIP separately in order to get to the Indexes searches)
- This search is useful for: acronyms, administration mode, author, publisher name, scores, test category, test code, test name, time and year of publication.
- In EBSCOhost, select ONE of the databases, either MMY or TIP.
- Once in the database, on the green menu bar, click on Indexes.
- Select an index to browse.
- Example: Select Acronym, then enter an acronym such as SIT, then click Browse. Mark a box, then click the Search button to retrieve a list of tests with that acronym.
- Example: Select Scores, then enter a keyword such as depression, then click Browse. Mark a box, then click the Search button to retrieve a list of tests which are used to test for depression.
- Also able to browse an entire index.
- Example: Select Publisher Name, and click the Browse button. Mark a box by desired publisher. Click the Search button to retrieve a list of all tests by that publisher.
View Results
Sample Record
MMY: A typical record will contain the test citation (author, title, date, publisher, etc.), test description with reliability and validity, test review(s), and references.
TIP: Records contain the test citation and references.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
Reliability and validity are essential to measurements and research procedure designs. These two concepts are distinct yet related. While high reliability does not warrant validity, a study cannot achieve validity without reliability.
- Reliability is the consistency of your measurement, or the degree to which an instrument measures the same way each time it is used under the same condition with the same subjects and the testing procedure is free from random errors of measurement.
- Validity is how close what is being measured on the paper is to what we intend to measure in our theory. It eventually leads to how close our conclusion based on the measurement results are to the truth.
Look for these in the Mental Measurements Yearbook test review. If not there, or more is needed, search for journal articles which may include them.
- Do a search in EBSCOhost, selecting both PsycInfo and PsycArticles.
- Add the terms "Reliability" or "Validity" to the
search. Example: In the Find box, type slosson intelligence and
validity
TEST INFORMATION FROM BUROS INSTITUTE ON MMY AND TIP
(text courtesy of the Buros Institute)
- If you know the title of the test, use the alphabetical page headings to go directly to the test entry.
- If you do not know, cannot find, or are unsure of the title of a test, consult the Index of Titles for possible variants of the title or consult the appropriate subject area of the Classified Subject Index for other possible leads or for similar or related tests in the same area.
- If you know the author of the test, consult the Index of Names and look up the author's titles until you find the test you want.
- If you know the test publisher, consult the Publishers Directory and Index and look up the publisher's titles until you find the test you want.
- If you are looking for a test that yields a particular kind of score, look up the score in the Score Index and locate the test or tests that include that score.
- Once you have found the test or tests you are looking for, read the descriptive entries for these tests carefully so that you can take advantage of the information provided. A description of the information provided in these test entries will be presented later in this section.
- Read the test reviews carefully and analytically. The information and evaluation contained in these reviews are meant to assist test consumers in making well-informed decisions about the choice and applications of tests.
- Once you have read the descriptive information and test reviews, you may want to order a specimen set for a particular test so that you can examine it firsthand. The Publishers Directory and Index has the address information needed to obtain specimen sets or catalogs.
Making Effective Use of the Test Entries
The test entries include extensive information. For each test, descriptive information is presented in the following order:
- titles. Test titles are printed in boldface type. Secondary or series titles are set off from main titles by a colon.
- purpose. For each test we have included a brief, clear statement describing the purpose of the test. Often these statements are quotations from the test manual.
- population. This is a description of the groups for which the test is intended. The grade, chronological age, semester range, or employment category is usually given.
- publication date. The inclusive range of publication dates for the various forms, accessories, and editions of a test is reported.
- acronym. When a test is often referred to by an acronym, the acronym is given in the test entry immediately following the publication date.
- scores. The number of part scores is presented along with their titles or descriptions of what they are intended to represent or measure.
- administration. Individual or group administration is indicated. A test is considered a group test unless it may be administered only individually.
- forms, parts, and levels. All available forms, parts, and levels are listed.
- manual. Notation is made if no manual is available. All other manual information is included under Price Data.
- restricted distribution. This is noted only for tests that are put on a special market by the publisher. Educational and psychological restrictions are not noted (unless a special training course is required for use).
- price data. Price information is reported for test packages (usually 20 to 35 tests), answer sheets, all other accessories, and specimen sets.
- foreign language and other special editions. This section concerns foreign language editions published by the same publisher who sells the English edition. It also indicates special editions (e.g., Braille, large type) available from the same or a different publisher.
- time. The number of minutes of actual working time allowed examinees and the approximate length of time needed for administering a test are reported whenever obtainable. The latter figure is always enclosed in parentheses. Thus, "50(60) minutes" indicates that the examinees are allowed 50 minutes of working time and that a total of 60 minutes is needed to administer the test.
- comments. Some entries contain special notations, such as: "for research use only"; "revision of the ABC Test "; "tests administered monthly at centers throughout the United States"; "subtests available as separates"; and "verbal creativity." A statement such as "verbal creativity" is intended to further describe what the test claims to measure.
- author. For most tests, all authors are reported. In the case of tests that appear in a new form each year, only authors of the most recent forms are listed. Names are reported exactly as printed on test booklets. Names of editors generally are not reported.
- publisher. The name of the publisher or distributor is reported for each test. Foreign publishers are identified by listing the country in brackets immediately following the name of the publisher. The Publishers Directory and Index must be consulted for a publisher's address.
- foreign adaptations. Revisions and adaptations of tests for foreign use are listed in a separate paragraph following the original edition.
- sublistings. Levels, editions, subsets, or parts of a test available in separate booklets are sometimes presented as sublistings with titles set in small capitals. Sub-sublistings are indented and titles are set in italic type.
- cross references. For tests that have been listed previously in a Buros Institute publication, a test entry includes - if relevant - a final paragraph containing a cross reference to the reviews, excerpts, and references for that test in those volumes. In the cross references, "T3:467" refers to test 467 in Tests in Print III, "8:1023" refers to test 1023 in The Eighth Mental Measurements Yearbook, "T2:144" refers to test 144 in Tests in Print II, "7:637" refers to test 637 in The Seventh Mental Measurements Yearbook, "P:262" refers to test 262 in Personality Tests and Reviews I, "2:1427" refers to test 1427 in The 1940 Yearbook, and "1:1110" refers to test 1110 in The 1938 Yearbook. In the case of batteries and programs, the paragraph also includes cross references--from the battery to the separately listed subtests and vice versa--to entries in this volume and to entries and reviews in earlier Yearbooks. Test numbers not preceded by a colon refer to tests in the current Yearbook; for example, "see 45" refers to test 45 in this Yearbook.
ADDITIONAL TEST RESOURCES
Print Sources Available in the University Library: General
The University Library has a range of print resources that deal almost exclusively with assessment tools. Although a few of the resources will provide the actual assessment instrument most will only offer a critique of a particular scale and provide references on its usage.
American Psychiatric Association. Task Force for the Handbook of Psychiatric Measures. (2000). Handbook of psychiatric measures. Washington, DC: Author. REF RC473.P78 A46 2000.
The focus of this volume is on measures primarily designed for clinicians who work in mental health or primary care settings. The book is divided into DSM-IV diagnostic categories. The actual instrument is available on an associated CD for about half of the scales. The Handbook includes excellent introductory chapters on the criteria that should be used to choose an assessment tool.
Fernandez-Ballesteros, R. (2003). Encyclopedia of psychological assessment. London: SAGE Publications. REF BF39 .E497 2003
Presents issues from basic theory (theoretical perspectives, ethics) and methodology (validity, reliability, item response theory) to technology and modes of assessment (tests, instruments and equipment for measuring behavioral operations).
Goldman, B. A. (1974- ). Directory of unpublished experimental mental measures. (v1-9). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. REF BF431 .G625
Identifies nonstandardized test instruments that are in the developmental stage.
Groth-Marnat, G. (2003). Handbook of psychological assessment. New York: J. Wiley. REF BF176 G76 2003
Provides brief information on purpose, format, reliability and number of test items. A journal citation is included for each scale.
Keyser, D.J. & Sweetland, R.C. (Eds.). (1984 - ). Test critiques. Kansas City, MO: Test Corporation of America. REF LB1131.5.Z99 T419
Comprehensive reviews of tests used in the psychological, educational and business fields. Each review includes background information on development and context, practical applications, technical aspects, and an overall critique.
Mental measurements yearbook. (1938- ) Highland Park, NJ: The Mental Measurements Yearbook. Irregular. REF LB1131.5.Z99 B87x
Provides critical reviews as well as descriptive material on psychological 400 tests. The volume is arranged alphabetically by test title. See earlier editions for older tests.
Print Sources Available in the University Library: Subject Specific
Conoley, J.C. & Werth, E.B. (Eds.). (1995). Family assessment. Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements, University of Nebraska. RC488.53 .F36 1995
L'Abate. (1993). Sourcebook of marriage and family evaluation. New York: Brunner/Mazel. RC488.53 .L33 1993
Maddox, T. (Ed). (2001). Tests: A comprehensive reference for assessments in psychology, education, and business. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed. REF LB1131.5 .T43 2003
Pierangelo, R. (Ed.). (2006). The special educator's comprehensive guide to 301 diagnostic tests. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. REF LC4019 .P53 2006
Suzuki, L. A. & Ponterotto, J. G. (Eds.). (2008). Handbook of multicultural assessment; clinical, psychological, and educational applications. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. BF176 .H36 2008
Touliatos, J., Perlmutter, B. F., & Straus M. A. (Eds.). (2001) Handbook of family measurement techniques. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. REF HQ728 .H267 2001
WWW SITES ON ASSESSMENT
The majority of tests and assessment scales are not available through the Web, although organizations involved in assessment do have Web sites that provide descriptions of tests and information on how to obtain them. Here is a list of some of the best sites:
The American Psychological Association responds to a large number of testing questions each day. Responses are included on their Web site in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section. If you can't find what you need on APA's Web site, you can contact the Science Directorate at (202) 336-6000 or via e-mail at science@apa.org.
The Buros Institute of Mental Measurements, founded in 1939, promotes appropriate test selection, utilization, and practice and works to encourage improved test development and research. Their Web site includes information on how to effectively use their publications and provides links to other organizations involved in assessment issues. It also provides a link to their Test Locator, jointly developed with the Educational Testing Service. The Locator provides descriptions and availability information on over 10,000 tests.
The Educational Testing Service focuses almost exclusively on educational testing. The Tests & Services Directory offers information on test preparation, administration, and appropriate usage.
WWW Search Engines
The search engines that are available on the WWW vary in depth and coverage. Explore the search options to find relevant WWW sites. For a list of available search engines and WWW directories, e.g. Google or Yahoo, use Searching the Web from the Library Home Page.
Citations
To cite online resources in appropriate bibliographic style see: Citing Resources
To organize citations and create bibliographies and papers in APA, MLA and other styles see: RefWorks and Other Citation Management Tools
Last Updated: 08/05/2008 and Last Revised: 05/05/2008
Contact Denise Madland for more information or help on this topic.