Social Work: Finding Tests and Measures   Tags: instruments, measures, psychology, scales, social_work, tests  

Finding the right test, measure, or instrument can take several steps. This guide was designed to walk you through these steps and your options for finding an instrument. 

Finding tests can be a time consuming process, so it is important that you begin looking for one well before your assignment is due.  Also, please note that not all tests are freely available. Make sure that the test that you have identified for your assignment is available to you before you write your paper.

There are many options available to you if you are looking for a certain type of test, but do not have a specific test in mind. Here are your key options; these are listed in recommended order.

1. Check to see if the test is profiled in Mental Measurements Yearbook.

If the test you are looking for is in Mental Measurements Yearbook, it is a commercial test that is only available if you purchase it from a company. You may want to look at tests that are more freely available, so please take a look at step 2.

2.  Search for your test in PsycTests.

PsycTests is a brand new database that features many pdf copies of tests developed by researchers. Can't find what you need in PsycTests? Please see step 3.

3. Search for your the test in PsycInfo.

PsycInfo has a feature that allows you to search for tests in the appendix of a journal article. Learn how to do that here. Can't find what you need in PsycInfo? Move to step 4 and take a look at some of our books.

4. Browse our book collection.

The Social Work Library has a number of books with tests that you can photocopy. If the books do not have what you need, take a look at step 4: dissertations online.

5. Search for your test in Dissertations.

Phd students occasionally include copies of tests/measures in the appendix of their dissertations. Learn how to search dissertations here.