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Tests and Measurements in the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Information about finding tests, scales, and other measurement instruments.

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Sue Gray
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Overview

Tests and measurements are typically used for research and assessment. They can be surveys, questionnaires, scales and other instruments that measure outcomes. 

Reviews of tests are available through the Mental Measurements Yearbook (see box below). If there isn't a review of the test you're looking for, search for the name of the test in Google Scholar or in subject databases to find the article it was originally published in. 

Identifying Instruments

There are several ways to identify test instruments to measure behaviors and personality traits appropriate for specific client groups. You may wish to browse the contents of books containing test instruments; you may also wish to search the literature of your field to identify tests that have been used.

Whatever the source, always remember that tests and instruments are copyrighted intellectual property; the rights may be held by the author or by the publisher. Sometimes you may have to pay to purchase access to a test. or you may have to be trained in the test's protocols before you can use it. To learn more, click the Obtaining Permission page.


The St. Kate's Library has several books that provide the full text of selected scales, while others simply list and describe instruments, often providing reliability, validity and sometimes additional information about the test. If the full test is not given in a book, several sample questions may be given. Scoring information may or may not be included.

Places to Start

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