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Tests & Measures

How to locate health, psychological, and psychosocial tests & measures.

Steps for finding tests by topic or subject

Copies of unpublished tests and measures instruments can be found in reference books/works, journal articles, dissertations and theses.  This page will help you locate a copy.  Remember to obtain permission from the copyright holder before you use the instrument.  See the Getting started tab, on the left,  for tips on how to do this.

  1. Some databases have special features to make it easier to locate tests and measures.

    • PsycINFO Instructions & Tips
      Journal articles, books, and book chapters in psychology and related disciplines.

    • CINAHL Instructions & Tips
      Journal articles, book chapters, dissertations, conference proceedings, care plans, and pamphlets in nursing and other allied health fields.

    • ERIC - EBSCO Instructions & Tips
      Journal articles, conference papers, dissertations, curricular material, documents, and more in education.

  2. For all other databases, it is possible to construct a strategy using standard search features.  Instructions & Tips

  3. Copies of tests and measures may be included in the appendix of dissertations and theses.  Instruction & Tips

  4. Print reference books describe tests and others provide the text of the test as well as a description.  Use the subject index in these recommended reference books.

Using PsycINFO special search features to locate tests & measures

  • Type the "name of a test" or, key words about a test, in the first box.  Do not include words like test, inventory, survey, etc.
  • Type append in the second box and select TM Tests & Measures from the drop down menu.

sample search screen

Using CINAHL special features to locate tests & measures

Option 1:

  • Type the "name of a test" or key words about a test.  Do not include words like test, inventory, survey, etc.
  • Select IN Instrumentation field from the drop down menu.

sample search screen

Option 2:

  • Type the "name of a test" or, key words about a test, in the first box.  Do not include words like test, inventory, survey, etc.
  • Type questionnaire/scale in the second box and select PT Publication Type in the drop down box.

sample search screen

Using ERIC - EBSCO special features to locate tests & measures

  • Type the "name of the test" or key words about a test in the first box.  Do not include words like test, inventory, survey, etc.
  • Type tests/questionnaires in the second box and select PU Publication Type from the drop down menu.

 

Search strategy for all other databases

For all other databases try the following strategy.

  • Type the key words about a test in the first search box.
  • Type in the second box any combination of the following terms and select Abstract or Author-Supplied Abstract in the drop down menu.

 test* or measure* or survey* or questionnaire* or scale* or batter* or checklist* or instrument* or pretest* or posttest* or assessment or interview or inventor* or rating or tool

For example:

sample search screen

Using ProQuest Dissertations & Thesis database to locate tests & measures

  • Type the "name of a test" or, key words about a test, in the first box and select AB Abstract in the drop down menu.
  • Type in the second box, (test or measure or survey or questionnaire or scale) near/5 appendix
  • Look at the full-text of the results.
    • Check the Methods section for information about how the test was used.
    • Check the Appendix for a copy of the test.

Recommended reference books