Library Contact
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1190
Before You Start
Here are some things you will need to consider before starting to search for measurement instruments.
Availability of Full Text: (Commercially) Published vs. Unpublished Tests
Published tests or measurements are available for purchase from the test publisher. In many cases, the Library will not have the full text of commercially published tests as certification or permission from the publisher and author(s) may be required to administer these tests.
Unpublished tests or measurements are not available commercially but may be included in library databases, articles, studies, or dissertations. These tests are also under copyright and you may need to contact the author for use permissions.
Following Your Institution's Policies & Guidelines
Make sure you familiarize yourself with your institution's policies and guidelines on research and how this relates to volunteers you will be testing. At the University of Michigan, for example the Office of the Vice-President of Research provides resources on safe and confidential human research and has a Human Research Protection Program. The Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Boards (HSBS IRB) are responsible for protecting people who take part in research projects at this university and provide education for researchers.
Consult Your School or Department
If you have questions about administering tests you have found you may need to contact someone from your school or department or the Office of the Vice-President of Research.
Be Patient
Finding a test or measurement instrument can be challenging at times and requires patience. You will likely need to consult several different resources, online databases and books but don't give up. The resources in this guide are meant to guide you through this process. If you need additional help please contact one of the librarians listed below.
Remember...
Always seek permission from a test's author before using the test unless it is stated explicitly that permission is not required.
For Background Information
The Library has online access to the Encyclopedia of Psychological Assessment. Consider using this resource for background information. It does not provide the tests themselves but offers articles and descriptions of many well-known tests.
Ethics & Responsible Use of Tests
-
APA Joint Committee on Testing PracticeWhile this committee was disbanded in 2007, the American Psychological Association offers a number of useful information and publications developed by this group.
-
Code of Fair Testing Practices in EducationThis is a 13-page .PDF document, developed by the Joint Committee on Testing Practices.
-
The International Test CommissionInternational Test Commission (ITC) (2000). International Guidelines for Test Use.
-
Rights and Responsibilities of Test Takers - American Psychological AssociationThis statement outlines the expectations that test takers may reasonably have about the testing process, and the expectations that those who develop, administer, and use tests may have of test takers.
-
Responsible Test Use
by
ISBN: 9781433805561Publication Date: 2009-10-15Test use is ubiquitous in contemporary society; likewise, test misuse cuts across many fields, applications, and types of tests. Test misuse can be substantially reduced through training in test policy, selection, administration, scoring, interpretation, and reporting. Responsible Test Use: Case Studies for Assessing Human Behavior, Second Edition is an interdisciplinary reference source for promoting quality assurance in testing. It consists of 85 training cases that illustrate a variety of problems related to test use. Twenty-eight of the cases are new for this edition. Each case is drawn from real life and includes a description of the incident focus questions to encourage active involvement with issues raised by the case an analysis of the problems posed plus possible ways of better handling the situation a listing of empirically-derived dimensions of test misuse that are likely to generalize to new testing situations Cases developed for this edition represent three test settings that were not covered in the previous edition: computer and internet testing formats, forensic, and cross cultural-English language learners. In addition, revised cases cover counseling and training, education, employment, mental health, neuropsychology, and speech-language-hearing settings. This book is intended for use as a supplementary textbook in undergraduate and graduate measurement courses and for trainers of specialized assessment practitioners, such as school psychologists and educational diagnosticians. It can also serve as a valuable tool for in-service training or continuing education, for licensing exam preparation, and as a resource for other individuals committed to improving assessment practices.
Other Useful Guides
-
Finding Information about Psychological Tests (APA)Overview and FAQ - great for gaining an understanding of the process and pitfalls of finding tests.
-
Program EvaluationA U-M guide to resources supporting program evaluation.