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Nursing

Guide for library resources in the Nursing field

Introduction to Tests & Measures

Many health professionals use a variety of measurement and assessment tools in their work and research.  These tests and measures include surveys, scales, assessments, diagnostic tools, and other instruments used to assess or evaluate a variety of attributes.

Published (commercial) tests and measures must typically be purchased directly from a publisher or commercial vendor.  In many cases you must qualify as an administrator of the test before your purchase will be approved.
Unpublished (non-commercial) tests and measures are not published and sold by a publisher or company.  In some cases, these unpublished measures will appear in journal articles and books (many times in the appendices of these materials).

Keep in mind that finding the full text of a specific test or measure can be a complicated process.  In some cases, you may simply find the full text of a test or measure in a journal article, book, or one of our databases listed below.  In other cases, you may only find reference to a test, or a sample of a measurement tool.  In these cases, you may have to purchase the tool, or contact the author to see if you can obtain a copy. If you need direct assistance when searching for a tool, please contact your Health Sciences Librarians.

Uses & Permissions

Any sort of test and measure should be administered ethically and as the creators of the assessment intended.  

  • Ensure that the test or measure you want to use is appropriate to the project or research you are planning to conduct.
  • Published Tests generally must be used in strict accordance with guidelines and requirements set forth by the publisher. In many cases, you will need to obtain appropriate certification.
  • Always obtain permission from the creators and/or copyright holders before administering a test.
  • Obtain IRB approval if necessary.

Further reading related to assessment literacy and administering measures can be found at the Buros Center for Testing.

Some content adapted with permission from here.

 

Books

NOTE: Many, but not all, of the titles on this list, contain actual test instruments.

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