As you are reading scholarly books and articles for your literature review, make note of studies that parallel your own.
List surveys, tools, or instruments other researchers have developed or used to investigate or meansure the phenomemon you are studying.
Once you have identified a survey, test, or instrument to use, take the following steps to secure access to the test:
1. Search (MMY and/or Google) to determine if the test is open access or copyrighted.
2. If the test is open access, secure permission to use (or use with modification) the instrument from the test author/s.
3. If the test is copyrighted, contact the test publisher for purchase options.
Finding a reliable and valid instrument for your research study can be challenging. Below are several strategies for locating tests, surveys, and measurements:
1. Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print
2. Tests, Instruments, and Surveys from other published works
3. Identifying tools available through your institution and/or district
Mental Measurements Yearbook and Tests in Print (MMY) is a database that contains a collection of surveys, tests, and instruments that have been reviewed for reliability and validity.
MMY does not have full-text access to the actual tests, those must be purchased directly from the test publisher. MMY does provide: test purchasing options, guidelines for test administration, and reliability, vallidity, and fidelity review.
Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions on searching the MMY database.
Institutions and school districts often purchase tests, surveys, and instruments that teachers can administer.
Contact your district office or testing coordinator to see if any instrucments are available to you for low or no cost.