Library

Test, Measures, and Scales

Librarian: Gianna Gifford, gianna.gifford@simmons.edu 617.521.2777

When you are writing your research paper you will want to find an appropriate instrument to use in examining your research questions. This can be done fairly easily if you understand what you are actually looking for, are organized in your approach, and allow yourself enough time to do an adequate literature search.

The SSW Library staff has prepared this information sheet on the literature of measurement and testing and we hope that you will find it helpful.

Let's start out by understanding what you can and cannot expect to find in the SSW Library.

Generally, you will not find the actual test in the SSW Library. Some exceptions will be discussed later. You will find an extensive and excellent collection of reference sources that will lead you to further evaluative information about tests. The information that is often available is an overview of how the test has been used by other researchers, references identifying researchers and studies that have used the particular test, and an evaluative review of the test (e.g. reliability and validity).

It is important for you to know that a test may be either PUBLISHED or UNPUBLISHED, and that this difference will lead you to different types of resources for test information.

PUBLISHED tests are standardized tests and are made available for purchase from the test producer or publisher. Generally, these tests are not made available to libraries. Often, these tests must be purchased in quantity and single copies are not available. Those that are available may have an accompanying fee. The nature of the test may be such that the producer may not want the test available to the general public, or for copying. Some published tests that you might be familiar with are the SAT and GRE, MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index, and the Beck Depression Inventory. UNPUBLISHED tests are generally not available for purchase and have originally appeared in a journal, thesis, dissertation or book. Some examples of this second category are MAST (Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test), Schaefer Parent Behavior Inventory, and the Family Adaptability and Cohesiveness Evaluation Scale (FACES-III).

Often the best way to see a copy of a published test is to write to the producer of the test and request a copy, giving your reason for wishing to see it. Keep in mind that it may take some time to receive a copy, or your request may be denied outright. The primary reference source for information on PUBLISHED tests is a series called MENTAL MEASUREMENTS YEARBOOK (MMY). MMY is now available on-line via the SSW Library web site. Go to Database "Quicklist" on the SSW Library web site and highlight MMY on the list-click "Go" and you are in. A companion volume to MMY is TESTS IN PRINT (TIP). A third important series is TEST CRITIQUES (TQ). MMY, TIP and TQ all provide factual information on tests (title, method or scoring, format of the test, publisher, costs), evaluative reviews (reliability, validity, etc.), and a bibliography of test references (journals and books in which the test has been cited). Remember, you will not find the actual test in MMY, TIP or TQ, and it is also very important to understand that it is virtually impossible to use these resources from a subject approach. Use MMY, TIP or TQ when you are looking for information on a specific test and know the title of the test. If you don't have the name or title of a specific test, start by reviewing the literature relevant to your topic to see what tests have been used or developed by researchers on your topic. From this review of the literature, you should be able to identify several tests available to examine your research question and from that point you can go into MMY, TIP and TQ for more information.

Tests, measures, scales and other instruments can easily be approached in the same way you would approach any other part of your research topic, that is, through the literature. In the same way that you would search for information on a topic, you can search for test information. Many UNPUBLISHED tests appear in journals and can be found through periodical databases such as Social Work Abstracts, PsychInfo or Social Sciences Abstracts, all available via the SSW Library's Web Page. It is often possible to get a copy of an unpublished test. A journal article or book that mentions a particular instrument should cite the source of the instrument in the references or bibliography that accompanies the article. You should note this citation and proceed to the journal in which the citation, and hopefully the actual instrument, originally appeared. If the journal is not owned by the Library, ask a librarian for help with either an Inter-Library Loan request, or with locating the journal at another local library.

Another excellent reference resource is MEASURES FOR CLINCAL PRACTICE: A SOURCEBOOK. In two volumes, this resource is a collection of rapid assessment instruments designed to help practitioners evaluate their practice. The instruments are included in this resource.

The on-line Library Catalog is also of use in finding test and measurement information. Entries in the catalog will lead you to sources that the SSW Library owns. Again, use your specific topic or look for subjects like the following: TESTS; PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS; PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT; BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT; PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING, etc.

Often test information is in sources such as handbooks, encyclopedias, annual reviews or even basic textbooks. For example, if you were looking for measurement scales to use in relation to alcoholism, you might want to look at something like Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems, which is an annual publication and is listed in the catalog under the subject ALCOHOLISM. You might try The Handbook of Mental Retardation for tests and measures in this area, or Behavioral Assessment of Childhood Disorders if you are working in that area.

The SSW Library's Test and Measures Reference Collection is housed in its own bookcase located in Room 5-302.

Also check these excellent online sources:

Page updated: April 24, 2007

 

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