Psychological and Educational

Tests and Measurements

A Finding Guide for OSU Library Faculty


Dan Chaney
Humanities and Social Sciences Division

Why Tests & Measurements?
Upper level students (largely psychology and counseling
psychology) are occasionally asked to locate tests and
measurements.

Graduate students beginning to think about a
dissertation might begin to explore tests already
available before designing their own measures.

Sometimes for an assignment. Sometimes a professor
they work with needs the test/measurement.

Tests and measurements are survey tools designed to
measure or gauge some quality, habit, trend or need.
Where Are Tests and Measurements
Likely to Appear?

Journal Literature
Books
Conference Proceedings
Online Sources (Web Pages)
(This is not an comprehensive list)
Things to Remember About
Tests and Measurements
Tests and measurements are creative acts, written by people
(usually researchers and other experts.)
As such, they are sometimes published (sometimes not.)
Its been my experience that rarely will you find a test or
measurement available on the Internet for FREE (although it
does happen occasionally.)
Generally, tests and measurements will be available only from a
publisher for a price.
The Library doesnt own measurements and tests, per se,
although we do have many places we can look for them.
Basic Questions to Keep in Mind
Does the researcher have a specific test in mind?
Does the researcher want a copy of the actual test
or measurement?
Does the researcher only want a review of the test
or measurement?
The Major Sources:
Mental Measurements Yearbook
and
Tests in Print
Before we talk about anything else, we
need to know the two major sources!
Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY)
Currently in its 14
th
edition (2001), the MMY is the standard
source for critical reviews of commercially available tests and
measurements. Its published about every 5 years.
Originated in 1938 by Oscar Buros, the MMY is often referred
to simply as Buros. Buros was also responsible for Tests in
Print.
To be included in MMY, tests must be
1. Commercially available
2. New or revised since the last edition of MMY and/or are
widely popular or have generated more than twenty
citations in the literature
3. Published in the English language
4. Beginning with the 14
th
edition, tests must include some
documentation about its development and/or technical
properties.

More MMY Background
Entries for each test include short descriptive information, critiques, and
bibliographies (Note: test references were discontinued as of the 14
th

edition.) Critiques are written by experts in the field. There are
extensive bibliographies after each entry that cover validity,
construction and use of the tests in different settings with different
populations.
Indexed by test title (with cross references), classified subject,
publisher name, name index for authors, reviewers and references,
acronym, and test score for references to tests featuring particular
scores (such as depression, stress, and self-control)
There is an online, comprehensive index to the MMY at:
http://www.unl.edu/buros/00testscomplete.html for the 9
th
through the
most recent edition
Call Number: 016.151 B967m - Second Floor, General Reference

MMY Information Fields
The MMY might include the following information for entries:
Title: Titles are presented in boldface
Purpose: there is a brief statement describing the purpose, often taken from
the measurement instruction manual.
Population: describes the group for which the test is designed
Publication Date: includes the dates for various components or updates
Acronym: just in case the test is referred to by initialism
Scores: lists the number of part scores, with titles or descriptions
Administration: indicates either individual or group
Forms, Parts and Levels
Manual: notation is made if no manual is available.
Restricted Distribution: noted only for tests that are put on a special market.
Educational and psychological restrictions are not noted.
Price Data: what does the measurement cost? (e.g., $17.50 for 35 tests)
MMY Information Fields, cont.
Foreign Language and Other Special Editions: mainly for foreign language
versions
Time: number of minutes of actual working time allowed to administer and
take the test
Comments: for special notations, such as for research use only or tests
administered monthly throughout the U.S.
Author
Publisher
Foreign Adaptations: largely for test use in foreign countries
Sub-listings: levels, editions, subtests, etc.
Cross References: mostly cross references to previously reviewed versions
of tests from previous editions of the MMY
Tests In Print (TIP)
Consists of descriptive listings of and references to
commercially published tests that are in print and available for
purchase. It serves as a comprehensive index to the MMY.
First published in 1961 by our old friend Oscar Buros because it
was obvious that an comprehensive bibliography of tests was
needed, which would also serve as an index to the MMY.
TIP is planned for update about every 5 years.
In general, if the test isnt listed in TIP V, its probably out of print
and you should consult the Directory of Unpublished
Experimental Mental Measures (152.8 G619d, General
Reference)
TIP Overview
A comprehensive bibliography of commercially available tests
published as separates for use with English-speaking subjects
Bibliographies, for specific tests, of references related to the
construction, validity, or use of the tests In various settings
Test title indexing that includes all tests currently in print, as well as
tests that have gone out of print since TIP IV, and alternate or
superceded titles for some tests
Separate listings for tests that have gone out of print since TIP IV
Classified subject indexing that also describes the population for which
the test was intended
Publishers listing and directory, including contact information
Name index, including the names of authors, reviewers and references.
Score index, listing all scores generated by the tests listed in TIP
Listing of contributing reviewers for the entire MMY series
Content Comparison: MMY vs. TIP
TIP V = 2,939 test entries
MMY 14
th
edition = 430 test descriptions/reviews (802 test
reviews by 461 different authors)
MMY 14
th
edition features 296 tests which had never appeared
previously in MMY.
Differences Between MMY and TIP
MMY consists of descriptive entries, references and critical reviews of
commercially published tests, published in English. Each MMY includes reviews
of tests that are new or substantially revised since the previous edition.
Remember that the MMY is hierarchical, and that the more recent index listings
are for revised versions of tests. So, if youre searching MMY, start with the
latest edition and work backwards.
TIP is a comprehensive volume describing every test that is currently available
for purchase. TIP V supercedes TIP IV.
Not all tests and measures are reviewed in MMY and there are somewhat firm
requirements that tests must meet to be featured.
Because not all tests are reviewed in MMY, TIP is necessary to identify and
locate tests which are available and in print, but not widely popular or used
enough to be featured in MMY.
The Second String Players:
Test Critiques
and
Tests: A Comprehensive Reference
for Assessments in Psychology,
Education, and Business
Tests: A Comprehensive Reference for
Assessments in Psychology, Education, and
Business
This reference is designed for quick identification of a test to
meet a specific need. Unlike other test guides, it does not
provide evaluations. Over 3,000 published English-language
assessment instruments are listed under three broad subject
categories (psychology, education, and business), with 87
subsections. Each entry provides a purpose, description,
intended population, administration and scoring, cost and
availability. Indexed by publisher, title, author, out-of-print
instruments, availability of computer scoring, and tests
composed for special population groups (e.g, visually impaired,
non-English speakers, etc.) Call Number: 150.28 T345 1991 -
Third Floor Stacks. (Dont ask me why this is allowed to circulate.)
Note: Reviews of tests in this resource are available in the ten-
volume Test Critiques.
Test Critiques
A standard outline for critiques includes an introduction,
practical applications and uses, technical aspects, and a critique
of each test. Test Critiques contains scholarly reviews and
includes information related to the reliability, validity and
normative development of the measurements. Focuses primarily
on psychology, education and business tests. It should be used
in conjunction with a sister publication Tests. There is a
cumulative title index as well as indexing for publishers, subject
and author/reviewer. Call Number: 150.287 T342, v.1-10 -
Second Floor, Reference Collection.
So, How Do These Two
Things Help Me?
Lesson One: Dont Assume the
Researcher Has Their Information Correct
Youd be amazed at the frequency with which someone wants a
test and doesnt have the title correct. Why? Because their
professor sent them to the Library to look for their shorthand
version of the test title. Theres nothing more frustrating than
spending an hour looking for a test when you dont have the
right title.
Example: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is actually titled the
Rosenberg Scale of Self-Esteem
Is the title they offer spelled correctly?
One could search PsycINFO for hours looking for the phrase
Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale, when the actual name is
Rosenberg. (Trust me, this happened to me recently!)
So, you may need to spend some time determining the actual
title of the test or measurement.
Lesson Two: Is the Test Still in Print?
Always wise to see if the measurement is currently in print, so you
can target where to look next.
Consult the TIP V index to determine if the test is currently in print. If
so, TIP will put you into MMY for a few titles. (Remember, MMY only
does reviews.)
Search the ERIC/AE Test Locator (online) at
http://ericae.net/testcol.htm (Generally, Ive only found this useful to help people
identify a measurement in cases where they dont have a specific one in mind.)
The Test Locator will also lead you to the Mental Measurements
Yearbook (MMY) or Tests in Print (TIP).
Note: The ERIC/AE site includes records from the ETS Test Collection
Catalog
Why does it matter if the test is still in print? Because if its not in print, it
might be hard to locate a copy. Or, it might be easier if its no longer
being sold. It kinda depends.
Lesson Three: To Find Reviews
Consult the Mental Measurements Yearbook (General
Reference, 016.151 B967m) for reviews or publisher contact
information (selective listing)
Note: For a cumulative index to the MMY, consult
Tests in Print V (for all editions) or connect online to
http://www.unl.edu/buros/00testscomplete.html
for the 9
th
through current edition (14
th
).
Consult Tests and/or Test Critiques more reviews.
Other Print Sources Of Note
Goldman, Bert Arthur and John L. Saunders. Directory of Unpublished
Experimental Mental Measures. New York: Human Sciences Press,
1990. (152.8 G619d, v.1-7 - Second Floor, Reference Collection)
These volumes cite unpublished, experimental tests appearing in journals in
psychology, sociology, education and interdisciplinary social science journals.
Coverage is limited to US journals. Entries provide a brief description, and a reference
to the journal in which it appeared. Later volumes have a cumulative index. Instruments
are categorized by general type and supplemented by author and subject indexes.

Other Strategies
If you are not able to find it in any of the books listed above, you may want to search
a database. Occasionally you may find an article that used the measure or tells
you who published the test, etc. On rare occasions, you may find a copy of the
measurement appended to the research article itself, if the author of the article
developed the measurement. Finally, you may want to run a search of the
Internet with the measurement title as your keywords. More and more often we
can find publishers of tests and measurements online.

Note: tests and measurements are not frequently offered for free on the Internet,
however, we can use the Internet for contact information.
OSU Library Catalog Tips
If the researcher doesnt have a specific test in mind, if they want to see whats available, or
if they want to design their own, you can use the OPAC to identify titles that may be of
interest. Some Library of Congress Subject Headings include (but are not limited to):
ability--testing
achievement test--
college entrance achievement tests--
educational tests and measurements--
examinations
examinations--design and construction--
examinations--interpretation--
examinations--questions
examinations--scoring
examinations--validity
intelligence tests--
learning ability--testing
multiple choice tests--
neuropsychological tests--
psychological tests--
psychometrics--
sociometry--
scale analysis (psychology)--
test anxiety--
test bias--
Database Suggestions
PsycINFO: try entering the title of the measurement as an "Identifier",
or for research about measures and/or assessments, try a descriptor
keyword "measures" or "assessment" combined with type of measure,
e.g. "assessment neuropsychological" Also try the keyword "appended"
to shake loose tests that are included with the article.
Digital Dissertations (for locating new measurements or for finding
information on the application of measurements)
ISI Web of Knowledge (useful to find articles which cite a published test
or measurement)
ERIC (for finding reviews and articles that use tests and
measurements)
Medline (helpful in finding a description of a test and for locating
measurements that are underreported in social gerontology but are
used with the elderly and those living in nursing homes.)

Test References Ranking (TIP)
The top 10 tests ranked by reference frequencies in TIP:
1. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Third Edition
2. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Third Edition
3. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
4. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2
5. Symptom Checklist 90 Revised
6. Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III
7. Wechsler Memory Scale III
8. Beck Depression Inventory II
9. Raven Progressive Matrices
10. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Revised and Expanded
A Primer on Finding Tests (APA)
FAQ/Finding Information About Psychological Tests
http://www.apa.org/science/faq-findtests.html