Subject Guide: Identifying and Finding Nursing and Psychosocial Instruments - Questions and Reponses
Prepared by Sue Hollander and Marilyn Hall
Revised for Fall 2006
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Questions and Responses to Explore |
Beginning Questions and Responses to Explore:
Find information about a specific instrument, eg. description, reliability and validity
- SDSU Test Finder database indexes the books in Reference which, at minimum, include this information and sometimes even the full text instrument. Yes, you will have to come to the library to actually see the content of these books – sorry!
- Search the SDSU Library PAC by keyword. If needed, be sure to expand your search to Circuit and Link+. There may be a book on the test or it may be listed in the table of contents of a book.
- Browse the book stacks in the area of the call numbers of the books in the Reference Desk stacks as there are often similar books available, particularly in the psychology fields. Check in the Table of Contents and the indexes (back of book normally) for your instrument.
- Search the Mental Measurements Yearbook online database to view descriptions of predominantly commercial tests. This full text database of critiques (not the actual instruments) covers volume 9 (1998) to present and contains substantial descriptions of instruments.
- Another online database, Test Review Locator, indexes critiques found in the following print sources: Tests in Print, Test Critiques and Mental Measurements Yearbook. These print sources of instrument evaluations are located in Reference.
- Some journal articles provide this information. Perform searches in article databases, such as CINAHL or PsycInfo, using the name of your instrument or a key phrase from the instrument title. In some databases you can even search for validation studies as a publication type when available. Refer to the section in this web guide called Specific Article and Test Databases of Interest for database searching tips.
Locate the actual test
- Finding the full instrument can be difficult and may take time and searching several sources. Sometimes it is important that potential test takers never have access to questions prior to taking a test; thus, these instruments will not be readily available. Sometimes, if a test is commercially available, you must pay for it.
- Increasingly in some fields, including nursing, the test creators include the tool in a journal article or are willing to share it if you contact them. By sharing upon request only, test creators can know who is using their instrument and, perhaps, encourage use of the tool only in appropriate situations. These researchers are frequently supportive of student projects, so feel free to ask.
- Commercially available tests, such as those critiqued in the Mental Measurements Yearbooks, usually are purchased through the test publisher. Publishers hold the copyright to tests they distribute and maintain copies of tests, test manuals, and scoring keys. Contact the publisher with your request for information on a particular test; however, be aware that many publishers have separate policies for individual and organizational purchases of tests. Individuals may be required to complete a qualifications form that allows a publisher to determine if they are qualified and competent to administer and interpret the test. Consequently, for most student projects, it is encouraged that you look at non-commercial tests if you need to see the full text of it.
- Refer to Question K for complete searching tips.
Find out who else has used your selected instrument
- Search in article databases for the name as well as the acronym (if available) for an instrument to see how other researchers have used it. This is often referred to as “backing into” a research topic. Note search tips for various databases in Specific Article and Test Databases of Interest. For instance, you can search within the instrumentation field in CINAHL and quickly narrow your results.
- Refer to the books in the Reference Desk Stacks as they sometimes refer to various studies using the instruments.
Explore and see if there are different versions of your selected instrument (eg. brief or short form, other languages, etc)
- Sometimes an instrument is modified to provide better data collection of a particular variable, or for use by different populations. Shortening, translating or modifying a test may impact the reliability and validity of the instrument. Be sure you are using the version of a test that best fits your research.
- Examine the psychometrics which align with your selected version of an instrument, e.g. 3rd edition of Maslach Burnout Inventory or FACI8 Spanish (Spanish language version). You may find it helpful to read about the original test in order better to understand a modified version.
- Identify alternative versions of a test by searching for the instrument by name or a unique term in the name, eg., Maslach or McGill to see variants on the Maslach Burnout Inventory or the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Be sure to search several databases; though all databases overlap, they do cover different journals as well.
- Some books in the Reference Desk Stacks include all tests to that date on a specific topic, e.g., quality of life, sexuality measures or aging populations. These book compilations may identify multiple versions of instruments.
Know if it is an appropriate tool to use
- It is critical to fully understand and articulate the variables you are examining, plus any theoretical construct you are working within in order to choose an instrument.
- A thorough literature review will generate a full picture of the knowledge to date on the issues, tests commonly used and their strengths/weaknesses, populations which have or have not been included previously (age groups, gender, ethnicity, etc.). At this point you will begin to understand how your choice of a tool fits with your research.
- It is important that you examine the psychometrics of a test. Just because it has been reviewed or critiqued in a book does not automatically mean it is appropriate to use with your research. Refer to class notes or books about research design, specifically reliability and validity, when deciding whether or not the tool you are considering is acceptable.
- If you are a student and have questions, be sure to ask your professor. As you become the researcher, you can discuss these issues with colleagues.
Wait, I’ve read all the above and I still don’t really know what this instrument thing is that my professor assigned. What is a research instrument?
- An instrument is any tool designed to collect data on a specific variable. It can range from a questionnaire to a set of open ended questions to be answered in a diary format, or from a blood-pressure cuff to a pedometer when looking at physiological measurement.
- Encyclopedias and other reference works often are a good place to begin researching terminology related to and characteristics of specific instruments. These books and many more are located on the shelves directly behind the Reference Desk (called Reference Desk Stacks) and provide an overview of measurement theories, types of measures, measurement of validity and/or reliability, terminology, etc.
- Encyclopedia of nursing research; Joyce J. Fitzpatrick, editor-in-chief. Location: RT81.5 .E53 1998 Reference
- Encyclopedia of psychological assessment; Rocio Fernandez-Ballesteros, editor. Location: BF39 .E497 2003 Reference Desk
- Comprehensive handbook of psychological assessment; Michel Hersen, editor-in-chief. Location: BF176 .C654 2004 v.1-4 Reference
- Instruments for clinical health-care research; Marilyn Frank-Stromborg, Sharon J. Olsen, editors. Location: RT81.5 .I57 2004 Reference Desk
- Measurement in Nursing and Health Research, CF Waltz, OL Strickland, ER Lenz, editors. Location: RT81.5 .W36 2005
- Search the SDSU Library PAC for books containing information on nursing and psychosocial instruments using the following suggested LC subject headings:
- Quality Of Life Research Methodology
- Health Status Indicators
- Behavioral Assessment
- Psychiatric Rating Scales;
- Psychometrics
- Nursing Research Methodology
- Medical Care Research Methodology
- Social Sciences Research Methodology
- If you have trouble finding information on a specific topic using LC subject headings, try the "Words" search option.
- General books on the subject of nursing instruments and nursing research are located on the fifth floor of the library and in the Reference Collection (first floor) at the general call number RT81.5.
If you have a topic and need to find an instrument, do you need to see the actual full instrument?
YES -- This can be mildly to very difficult; it is recommended that you try to keep your topic somewhat general until you see what is available.
- Begin with a summary of books on tests located in our Reference area and see which contain the full text instrument. (Note, this guide is somewhat dated and the table numbers do not exist anymore, however, the bulk have moved to the Ref Desk stacks and the call numbers are fine.) Next, browse books in the Reference Desk Stacks with the green dot on the spine to explore the contents of these books, or explore the SDSU Test Finder database.
- The eight volume Directory of Unpublished Experimental Mental Measures (BF431.G625 Reference) is a print guide to locating tests published in conjunction with articles in journals published from 1974 – 2001.
- CINAHL database has a limited number of full text instruments. You can search CINAHL directly (see below), or you can search for these in the SDSU Test Finder database by typing the word CINAHL in the search box and clicking on resultant links (accession numbers).
- CINAHL – search your topic, then limit or refine your search to one or more of the following Publication Types: Questionnaire/Scale, Research Instrument, Research Instrument Validation, or Research Instrument Utilization. These articles may contain the full instrument or describe the instrument and indicate how to access it.
- PsycInfo database – search your topic, then a) Perform a keyword search for the following terms (include the OR operator): test or instrument or survey or questionnaire; b) Perform a keyword search for the term appended; c) Combine searches b and c (e.g. sets 2 and 3) using AND; and d) Combine your topic search (a) with search d using AND. This should result in articles with the instrument appended to the article or book chapter. Please ask a librarian if you need assistance.
- Dissertations are original research and often include their surveys. To identify dissertations and theses from other universities, search the Dissertation Abstracts/Digital Dissertations database. This database indexes doctoral dissertations back to 1861; most will need to be ordered through Interlibrary Loan.
- To search specifically for SDSU dissertations and theses, search the SDSU Catalog (the PAC) as a subject search with the department included. For example, SDSU thesis public health. Note: Many theses do not require the student gather data using an instrument, but only that they analyze a large dataset. In these cases, it is possible that no instrument would be included.
- If you are really stuck, contact the creator of the test and/or an author of an article who has recently used this instrument. They may be kind enough to respond and provide assistance. Indicate in your phone or email correspondence that you are a student and let them know how the tool is to be used or examined.
NO – SEE information in Sections A through E above.
If you have a topic and need to find an instrument, do you need to find information about the Instrument?
YES – Refer to Question A for this information.
NO – Once you have identified one or several instruments, it is very helpful to find descriptive information about that tool to inform your decision as to whether or not to use it. Again, refer to Question A for tips on finding this information.
If you have a topic and need to find an instrument, were you hoping to find as many instruments as possible on this topic?
- Do not use the full instrument name when searching; e.g. rather than search Maslach burnout inventory, search burnout.
- Think of related concepts you can search, such as occupational stress (as related to burnout) or role stress or job dissatisfaction, etc.
- Search in article databases using the tips provided in the section of this web guide called Specific Article and Test Databases of Interest. For instance, you can search within the “instrumentation” field in CINAHL or the “tests and measures” field in PsycInfo and quickly narrow your results.
- Search SDSU Test Finder database to identify instruments and critiques in books in our library and in Reference.
- Search with the full name of the instrument or acronym is available. Be sure to limit to the version, if any, that you are intending to use (e.g., short form or 3rd edition, etc).
If you have a topic and need to find an instrument, are you ready to focus on one aspect or variable of your research; e.g., age group, ethnicity, reading level, language, etc.?
- When possible, narrow your searching in journal article databases to a particular ethnic group, age group, etc. Hopefully, this will result in more appropriate tools. For example, you will not want young students trying to answer a test written for adults. Some of the books in the Reference Desk area focus on specific age groups, ethnicities, gender, etc. Browse titles with the green circle stickers on their spines or use the SDSU Test Finder to browse online.
- On the other hand, it can be difficult to identify tools created for specific groups. You many need to search for articles that are general in nature and relating to your topic and not limit to instrumentation fields or publication types.
- It can be fine to remain general; however, be sure to examine your variables and see if it may be more appropriate for you to focus on one aspect of your research. Ask your professor if you are uncertain.
Are you simply trying to find some samples of questionnaires so you can design your own? (And perhaps design guidelines or issues to consider during this process.)
- Feel free to browse through the books on the shelving units directly behind the Reference Desk to see various formats of instruments. Some of the books have complete instruments; others have sample questions.
- Search the Library Catalog (PAC) (and Circuit and Link+) to find books about creating effective surveys. Sample subject headings include:
- survey research
- social surveys
- social science research methodology
- Questionnaires
What is reliability and validity and why does my professor care about it?
- It is essential that an instrument actually tests what you are intending to test each and every time the test is used or your data will be invalid. Since questionnaires, interviews and other assessments are sometimes subjective, results may not be consistent when used with different subjects. Reliability and validity testing will examine the instrument and its results and rigorously review if this is the case.
- For more information on this topic, explore the encyclopedias and other reference works listed in Question F.
The article indicates I need to request permission to use this tool, why would I contact the author?
- Ethically, no matter how difficult this process may seem, it is important to make every effort to contact an author or copyright holder to secure permission before “using” or administering any test or instrument. This way they know who is using the test and can also advise if it is the best fit for your research. Also, they may be able to provide scoring instructions.
I have a name which is an acronym. Is PSQ the same as PSQ-18?
- PSQ could be the same as PSQ-18; however, most frequently they would be different tests or at least different versions of a test. Often the entire name of the test is included in at least the description of the article, the abstract or the description/critique of the instrument. Check on this and be certain as to what test you are considering.
