Psychological tests
Choosing and locating psychological tests and scales
Library database search
In addition to a web search, try a keyword search (for example 'anxiety', 'anger', 'body image') using library databases such as Web of Science or PsycINFO. These databases will also give a better indication whether literature has been peer-reviewed.
Public domain versus commercially published tests
Tests fall into two categories: those made freely available by researchers (public domain) and commercially published tests, usually protected by copyright.
A reference to a public domain test is usually a book chapter or journal article; for the second type it will be to a manual published by a commercial organisation. Full details of freely available tests can be generally be found by consulting the relevant article; if full details are not given, you might be able obtain extra materials (for example a list of test items) by contacting the author.
Commercially published tests must not be photocopied or scanned and if you wish to use these tests you should consult with your supervisor. Often a literature search will produce a public domain equivalent of a commercial test.
General
- American Psychological Association guidance on Testing and Assessment
- British Psychological Society - Psychological Testing Centre
- PsyToolkit (Includes library of questionnaires).
- PSYCH-TEL a community to share questionnaires, research datasets and teaching material for educational purposes only.
- Office for National Statistics Current Standard Occupational Classifications.
- Face Image Databases directory curated by Princeton University Library.
Personality and social psychology measures
- The Big Five Inventory (Berkeley Personality Lab)
- HEXACO Personality Inventory Revised
- International Personality Item Pool
- Social-Personality Psychology Questionnaire Instrument Compendium
Clinical and health
- Robinson, John P; Shaver, Phillip R and Wrightsman, Lawrence S (Eds) (1991) Measures of personality and social psychological attitudes. Includes scales and questionnaires for use.
- Boyle, Gregory J; Saklofske, Donald H and Matthews, Gerald (Eds) (2015) Measures of personality and social psychological constructs. Includes scales and questionnaires.
- Lezak, Muriel; Howieson, Diane B ; Bigler, Erin D and Tranel, Daniel (2012) Neuropsychological assessment. 5th edition.
- Fink, A (2003) The survey handbook. 2nd edition.
- Bowling, Ann (2017) Measuring health : a review of subjective health, well-being and quality of life measurement scales.
- SAGE research methods online - database including numerous works on research methods, data collection.
- Fischer, J., Corcoran, K. & Springer, D.W., (2020). Measures for clinical practice and research : A sourcebook. Includes scales for use.
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