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.
Contacts/Authors
Carol Shannon, Liaison and Information Services Librarian for Health Sciences
Jennifer Nason, Associate Director for Social Sciences
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Availability of Full Text: (Commercially) Published vs. Unpublished Tests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Unpublished tests or measurements are not available commercially but may be included in library databases, articles, studies, or dissertations.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
Eyde, L. D., Robertson, G. J. (2010). Responsible test use: case studies for
assessing human behavior. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Shapiro Undergraduate Library, BF176 .R475 2010
- 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.