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Sources in tests and measures

This guide lists resources for locating educational and psychological testing instruments. It includes databases, online resources, and e-books, as well as print materials held at Concordia. Additional resources may be found by searching the Sofia Discovery Tool.

Please note that most commercially published instruments must be purchased from the publisher. In some cases, it may be possible for you to contact the author or the publisher to obtain permission to use the test. Unpublished tests are sometimes available as appendices to journal articles, research reports, theses and dissertations, or directly from the author.

This guide also includes resources that provide descriptions and reviews of tests, attitude scales, and questionnaires.

Databases for Locating Educational and Psychological Tests

ERIC

The ERIC database covers citations and abstracts of journal articles and other research literature (ERIC documents) in education and related fields. The abstracts usually indicate whether the instrument is included in the text of the journal article or in the ERIC document. Search ERIC by keywords for the type of test you are looking for, e.g. learning strategies, then tick the box for Document Type 160 Tests/questionnaires.

PsycINFO

The PsycINFO database covers citations and abstracts of journal articles, books and dissertations in Psychology. Some of these sources may contain the instrument used in the study. The name of the instrument is generally listed in the Tests and Measures field.

A good search strategy to use with either of these databases is to search by the type of test that you are looking for e.g., learning strategies. Once you have found a reasonable number of citations you can limit the search using one of the terms listed below:

  • Assessment
  • Methodology
  • Rating-Scales
  • Test-Items
  • Attitude-Measures
  • Personality-Measures
  • Research-Methodology
  • Test-Reliability
  • Cognitive-Measurement
  • Psychometrics
  • Screening-Tests
  • Test-Selection
  • Measurements-Techniques
  • Quantitative-Methods
  • Surveys
  • Test-Validity
  • Measures
  • Questionnaires
  • Test-Construction
  • Tests

ProQuest Dissertations and Theses

The full text of North American dissertations and theses are provided here from 1997 onward. The titles of the instruments used in dissertations and theses are often listed in the abstracts. The complete instrument is sometimes included in the Appendices to the dissertation or thesis. It is advisable to search this database by keyword, e.g., learning strategies and instruments.

Online Resources for Locating Educational and Psychological Tests

Test Link

TestLink (Educational Testing Service) is a free searchable database which contains the descriptions and availability information for over 20,000 tests and others measurement instruments.

You can search TestLink by the title of the testing instrument, by keywords in the title, or by ERIC Descriptor. The source for locating copies of these tests is usually found in the Availability: section of the TestLink record.

Please note that most of these tests are commercially published and are only available for purchase by contacting the test publisher or sometimes by contacting the test author directly. Many of these tests are out of print and are not generally available. However, there are a few sources for obtaining tests via TestLink:

Tests in Microfiche

  1. If Tests in Microfiche appears in the Availability field of the TestLink record, take note of the test title (e.g. Learning Strategies Questionnaire)
  2. The Tests in Microfiche collection (1975-2004) is available at the Webster Library. The tests, listed in alphabetical order by title, are located in a microfiche cabinet. Call number and location: M/FICHE BF 431 T42+ (Webster 3rd floor)

Journal Articles and Books

TestLink retrieves tests that are included as appendices in journal articles or books. The Availability field lists the journal title, volume and date of publication; and for books, the title and date of publication. Search Sofia by Journal Title or by the book’s Title or to determine if Concordia has access to the journal or book.

ERIC Documents

  1. TestLink retrieves tests that are available as ERIC Documents. The Eric Document (ED) number appears in the Availability field. Take note of the ED number and the date of publication. Most ERIC Documents published since 1993 are available electronically directly from the ERIC database. Earlier documents are also in the process of being digitized.
  2. Connect to ERIC and type in the complete ED number in the search window (e.g. ED496125), then click on the Search button. To view the full text of the document that includes the test, click on Link to full text.
  3. ERIC Documents created prior to 1993 that have not yet been digitized are all located in the ERIC microfiche collection. The complete collection dating from 1966-2002 is available at Webster Library microfiche cabinets, 3rd floor. The microfiche are filed numerically by ED number (e.g. ED130000).

Tests and Measures in the Social Sciences: Tests available in compilation volumes

A searchable index of over 12,000 individual tests, measures, and instruments, the full text of which have been reproduced in 128 published book compilations. Search Sofia by title of the book compilation to see if Concordia Libraries owns a copy.

Locating Tests – Additional Sources

The Applied Psychology Centre

The Centre has a collection of tests used in clinical psychology. Public use is extremely restricted. Please address your requests to tel: (514) 848-2424 ext. 7550, e-mail: apc@concordia.ca. Location: Room PY-111 (Loyola Campus).

Institut de Recherches Psychologiques

Tests might be available for purchase or directly to students at the Master’s level or higher with authorization from a faculty member. Contact the Institut to inquire.

Test Descriptions and Reviews

The following sources will help you to identify relevant tests and measurements that are used in the fields of education, psychology, health and business. Most of the print materials are located in the Reference area (REF) of either Webster or Vanier Libraries. The list is not exhaustive; additional sources can be found using Sofia. Try a Keyword or a Subject Headings search. Some useful search terms are listed in the Searching Sofia section.

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Handbook of psychiatric measures. REF RC 473 P78A46 2000 VAN

  • Information on measures currently used to assess mental health (goals, description, practical issues, psychometric properties, clinical utility, references and selected readings).

Buros Institute. Mental measurements yearbook. (online)

  • Provides critical reviews of commercially published psychological, vocational, educational and developmental tests. References are given to journal articles and other publications that may include a copy of the test.

Corcoran, K.J. & Fischer, J. Measures for clinical practice: A sourcebook. (Vol.1 Couples, Families, Children; Vol 2. Adults) Inventory of Rapid Assessment Instruments for psychology, social work and counselling. BF 176 C66 2007 VAN

  • Provides background for selecting and administering tests. Instruments and interpretive data are included in the text.

Educational Testing Service. (1993). The ETS test collection catalog. REF LB 3051 E79 1993 VAN & WEB

  • Volume1: Covers achievement tests and measurement devices. Search this catalog online via the Test Link database.

Fabiano, E. (1989). Index to tests used in educational dissertations. REF LB 3051 F3 1989 WEB

  • Indexes educational dissertations abstracted by Dissertations Abstracts International. Tests are frequently included with the dissertation.

Fehrmann, P.G. & O’Brien, N.P. (2001). Directory of test collections in academic, professional, and research libraries. REF LB 3051 D564 2001 VAN & WEB

Goldman, B.A. Directory of unpublished experimental mental measures. (Vols. 1-9) For the title index to this collection, see the entry for Jamison below. REF BF 431 G625 VAN

Hammill, D.D. (1992). A consumer's guide to tests in print. REF BF 176 H36 1992 VAN WEB

  • Provides information on technical characteristics, such as format and administration, for tests used primarily with school-aged children, grades kindergarten to 12.

Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HaPI) (online)

  • Journal abstracts provide information on thousands of measurement instruments (i.e. questionnaires, interview schedules, checklists, coding schemes, rating scales, etc.) in the fields of health and psychosocial sciences.

Jamison, M. (2001). Title index for the directory of unpublished experimental mental measures. REF BF 431 J29 2001 VAN

  • Covers volumes 1-7 of the Directory of unpublished experimental mental measures (see Goldman above).

Keyser, D.J., & Sweetland, R.C. Test critiques. REF BF l76 T4l9. Vol. I – 10 VAN, Vol. I – 7, 9 WEB

  • Reviews the most frequently used psychological, educational and business tests. Provides references to articles or other publications that may include a copy of the test.

Kline, P. (2000). The handbook of psychological testing. BF 176 K575 2000 VAN 3rd Floor

  • A comprehensive guide to all aspects of psychological testing. Includes reviews of some instruments.

Maddox, T. (Ed.). (2008). Tests: A comprehensive reference for assessments in psychology, education, and business. REF BF 176 T43 2008 VAN

Maltby, J., Lewis, C., & Hill, A. (Eds.). (2000). Commissioned reviews of 250 psychological tests. REF BF 176 C65 2000 vol.1-2 VAN

  • An overview of psychological tests developed during the 1990s.

Robinson, J. P., Shaver, P. R. Wrightsman, L.S., & Andrews, F.M. (Eds.). (1991). Measures of personality and social psychological attitudes. REF BF 698.4 M38 1991 VAN

  • Reviews attitude measures in social psychology; includes copies of several tests.

Buros Institute. Tests in print. REF BF 431 T47 no.6 WEB

  • Descriptive listings of commercially published tests; cross references are provided to reviews in Mental Measurements Yearbook; latest edition available published in 2002.

Handbooks and manuals

The following sources provide an overview of testing theory, methods and procedures. The list is not exhaustive; further sources can be found using Sofia. Try a Keyword or a Subject Headings search. Some useful search terms are listed in the Searching Sofia section.

Abell, N. (2009). Developing and validating rapid assessment instruments. (e-book)

American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education. (1999). Standards for educational and psychological testing. REF LB 3051 S74+ 1999 WEB VAN

Andrews, J.J., Saklofske, D.H., & Janzen, H. L. (Eds.) (2001). Handbook of psychoeducational assessment: Ability, achievement and behavior in children. REF LB 3051 H31985 WEB

Baer, L., & Blais, M. A. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of clinical rating scales and assessment in psychiatry and mental health. (e-book)

Culbertson, J.L., & Willis, D. J. (Eds.). (1993). Testing young children: A reference guide for developmental, psychoeducational, and psychosocial assessments. BF 719.6 T47 1993 VAN 

Downing, S.M., & Haladyna, T.M. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of test development. LB 3051 H31987 2006 WEB 

Fernandez-Ballesteros, R. (Ed.). (2003). Encyclopedia of psychological assessment. (2 vol.) REF BF 39 E497 2003 VAN

Groth-Marnat, G., & Wright, A. J. (2016). Handbook of psychological assessment. (e-book) 

Hersen, M., & Rosqvist, J. (Eds.). (2008). Handbook of psychological assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment. (2 vols.) RC 454 H352 2008 VAN

Kamphaus, R. W., & Reynolds, C. R. (Eds.). (2003). Handbook of psychological and educational assessment of children: Intelligence, aptitude, and achievement. BF 722 H33 2003 VAN 

Kamphaus, R.W. & Reynolds, C.R. (Eds.). (2003). Handbook of psychological and educational assessment of children: personality, behavior, and context. BF 722 H33 2003b VAN 

Keeves, J.P. (Ed.). (1997). Educational research, methodology and measurement: An international handbook. REF LB 1028 E3184 1997 WEB

Kline, P. (2000). The handbook of psychological testing. BF 176 K575 2000 VAN 

McGrew, K.S., & Flanagan, D.P. (1998). The intelligence test desk reference (ITDR): Gf-Gc cross-battery assessment. REF BF 431 M3514 1998 WEB

Newmark, C.S. (Ed.). (1996). Major psychological assessment instruments. BF 176 M35 1996 VAN 

Presser, S. (Ed.). (2004) Methods for testing and evaluating survey instruments. HM 538 M48 2004 WEB

Reynolds, R. A., Woods, R., & Baker, J. D. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of research on electronic surveys and measurements. HA 31.2 H347 2007 WEB

Suzuki, L.A., Ponterotto, J.G., & Meller P. J. (Eds.) (2008). Handbook of multicultural assessment: Clinical, psychological, and educational applications. BF 176 H36 2008 WEB

Weiner, I. B., & Greene, R. L. (Eds.). (2008). Handbook of personality assessment. BF 698.4 W45 2008 VAN

Searching Sofia to Locate Additional Information on Tests

Additional manuals describing specific tests, test construction, questionnaires or the practice of testing in general, can be located through Sofia. Some useful Subject Headings are:

  • Ability-Testing
  • Achievement Tests
  • Attitude (Psychology)
  • Behavioral Assessment
  • Criterion-Referenced Tests
  • Educational Tests and Measurements
  • Intelligence Tests
  • Personality Assessments
  • Personality Tests
  • Psychodiagnosis
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychometrics
  • Questionnaires
  • Scale Analysis (Psychology)

This guide was originally created by Chris Bober, Education Librarian.

Last modified March 2022

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