Tests and Measures

Step 1: Search the APA PsycTests Database

PsycTests is the American Psychological Association's repository of psychological assessment instruments used for research. This database of tests, measures, scales, surveys, and other assessment instruments includes descriptive information about each item and its development and administration, as well as information on how to find it.

When searching PsycTests, click on the item record of interest to see full details, including information on access in full-text, as a citation, or by permission from the author(s) or publisher. Please note that ILL requests can only be filled for cited items that are published in the literature (i.e., as a journal article or book chapter).

Search PsycTests PsycTests Tutorial PAU Search Tutorial

Step 2: Search WorldCat Discovery

Use WorldCat Discovery, PAU's library catalog, to search for commercially published test materials that are available at the Allen Calvin Campus. Enter the name of the test in the search box. On the results page, click on the "kit" box under the "Format" limiter on the left-hand side of the page. The page will refresh to show you if the test is available at the PAU Library.

To search for all items in the PAU Library's collection of tests and measures, enter "kit" in the search box and repeat the process of clicking on the "kit" box under the "Format" limiter. You can add keywords to your search and/or use the other available limiters if you need a specific type of test. Use the links below if you need help with searching or with using WorldCat Discovery.

Search WorldCat Discovery PAU Search Tutorial WorldCat Discovery Help Guide (Coming Soon)

Step 3: Search Google Scholar

If a test or measure has been published for commercial use, you can search the open web using Google Scholar to locate the publisher's website for information about use permissions and purchasing.

You can also use Google Scholar to search the open web for unpublished tests and measures to see if they have been posted online or to locate email address or website information for requesting the materials and obtaining permission for use from the author(s). When contacting the author(s), explain that you are a university doctoral student or faculty member in clinical psychology who is requesting the test and scoring instructions for use in your research.

To aid in locating tests and measures in the published literature during your Google Scholar search, you can set up links to full text at the PAU Library. Find out more using the link below.

Search Google Scholar Set up Google Scholar with Links to PAU Full Text

Step 4: Search Measures for Clinical Practice and Research

Measures for Clinical Practice and Research is available in print and electronic format through the PAU Library. This seminal work for practitioners and researchers in the helping professions includes reproduced measures along with editorial critiques and guidance for selection and scoring. Volume 1 covers assessment instruments for use with couples, families, and children, and Volume 2 covers assessment instruments for use with adults.

Online 4th Edition, Volumes 1 & 2 Print 6th Edition, Volumes 1 & 2

Step 5: Search Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print

Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print is a resource you can use to search for commercially available tools if you need to assess a specific symptom, disorder, or characteristic. If you find a test here, you can go back to Step 2 and search WorldCat Discovery to see if it is available in the PAU Library.

Produced by the Buros Center for Testing at the University of Nebraska, this resource is designed to help users with test evaluation and selection. It contains full-text reviews covering assessment instruments in psychology, education, business and leadership and provides a bibliography to all known commercially available English-language tests currently in print.

Search Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print View Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print Introductory Video

Step 6: Search the APA PsycInfo Database

Finally, you can search the published literature using the American Psychological Association's PsycInfo database to find specific test or type of test that assesses a particular symptom or disorder or other characteristic. In the latter case, you can use the following search string, including the first part with the parentheses as-is and substituting any keyword for "depression" to specify the type of test you need:

(test OR measure OR assessment OR scale OR questionnaire OR survey) AND depression

Next, skip down to the oldest results to see if the author(s) published the complete measure in the article in which the measure was first described (not typical). If you find the article in which the measure was first described, but the measure itself is not included, you will need the name(s) of the author(s) in order to proceed. If you cannot find the original article describing the test, look at full-text articles in which the test was used, and then look in the reference list for the matching citation(s) to identify the author(s). Then you can go back to Step 3 and do a Google Scholar search to find contact information for the author(s).

Search PsycInfo Register for PsycInfo Training

Step 7: Contact the PAU Librarians

If you cannot locate a test or measure, contact the PAU librarians for further assistance by using our item request form or emailing us directly using the links below. Your PAU librarians are always happy to help!

Item Request Form Email the PAU Librarians