This document provides an overview of the PsycTESTS database, which contains psychological tests, measures, scales and assessments. It discusses how to locate the full text of tests, find reliability and validity information, supporting documents, permission and fee details, and how to cite records from PsycTESTS in APA style. Additional training materials and support contacts are also listed.

1. latrobe.edu.au CRICOS Provider 00115M
PsycTESTS
Kendra Watson
Faculty Librarian
La Trobe University Library
2014

2. 2La Trobe University
PsycTESTS
PsycTESTS is a research database providing downloadable access to psychological tests,
measures, scales, and other assessments as well as descriptive and administrative
information.
This presentation will cover –
• Locating the full text PDF of a test in PsycTESTS
• Reliability and Validity
• Supporting Documents
• Can I use this test for my research?
• Is the test a full or a sample version?
• Citing a PsycTESTS database record in APA 6
• Locating additional training materials

3. 3La Trobe University
Locating the full text PDF of a test in PsycTESTS
PsycTESTS includes the full text of a test where this is available. Not every search result
will contain the full text PDF of the test however.
• On the search results page full text PDFs are indicated by the “Ovid Database PDFs”
link:
• To search only for records that include full text PDFs of tests select the "PsycTESTS
PDF" limit below the search box:

4. 4La Trobe University
Reliability and Validity
PsycTESTS records include information on the reliability and validity of tests.
• This information is displayed in the "Test Child Record" document(s) available when
viewing the full record.
̶ Follow this link and open the full record view to read the reliability and validity
fields:
Reliability and validity information is taken from documents that cover the development
of the test, test review articles, and articles on subsequent usage of the test. Use the
Full Text Finder button to check library holdings for additional documents.
Reliability and validity information is not available for every record.

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Supporting Documents
Supporting documents can include answer sheets, instructor guides, test materials
(including multimedia), check lists, or other documents which supported the
delivery of the test.
Where available supporting documents can be found in the full record view within the
“Supporting Documentation Link” field:
Follow this link and then select the PDF document link to review the materials available:

6. 6La Trobe University
Can I use this test for my research?
Permission to use a test and any associated fees can be found in the "Permissions" and
"Fee" fields in the full record view:
You can use the Permissions and Fee limits to limit search results to the available
options.
These limits can be found using the Additional Limits button on the search page:

7. 7La Trobe University
Is the test a full or a sample version?
Where a test is available selecting the "Ovid Database PDFs" link will open the full text.
The first page of the PDF is a cover sheet, created by PsycTESTS, which includes the
“Test Shown” field which will indicate if the test is available in full or sample version.

8. 8La Trobe University
Citing a PsycTESTS database master record in APA 6
PsycTESTS contains database entries for tests which may not include the actual test.
These are known as master records in PsycTESTS.
There may be occasions when you wish to cite these master records in your research in
APA 6 style. Follow the example below to cite a master record. Do not use this
example if you are citing from a test, an article or supporting documentation that is
linked from the master record.
Example:
Author. (date). Title. Source. Doi
Bricklin, B. (1983). Bricklin perceptual scales [Database record]. PsycTESTS. doi:
10.1037/t11490-000
Notes:
• The database name is included as this is a database record and not an article, test or other
document. Database names are omitted in standard citations in APA 6 as library subscriptions
can change over time.
• Where a doi is known “Retrieved from” is not required.

9. Locating additional training materials
PsycTESTS has a range of YouTube videos available at:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD65B59885A5D83CD
Training for the Ovid Database is available at:
http://0-resourcecenter.ovid.com.alpha2.latrobe.edu.au/site/resources/index_support.jsp
Contact the Faculty Librarian for your campus for additional support:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/library/contact-us/faculty-librarian-phone-and-email

10. Thank you
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