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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Mental Measurements Yearbook?
The Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY) includes timely, consumer-oriented test reviews, providing evaluative information to promote and encourage informed test selection. Typical MMY test entries include descriptive information and one or two reviews written by professionals in selected fields.
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What is Tests In Print?
Tests in Print (TIP) serves as a comprehensive bibliography to all known commercially available tests that are currently in print in the English language. Information includes test purpose, test publisher, in-print status, price, test acronym, intended test population, administration times, publication date(s), and test author(s). Tests in Print also guides readers to candidly critical test reviews published in the Mental Measurements Yearbook series.
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What is Test Reviews Online?
Test Reviews Online is a service that provides access to the same test reviews that appear in the Mental Measurement Yearbook series. Information is available on over 2,000 tests beginning with reviews published in The Ninth Mental Measurements Yearbook (1985). The most current test reviews for each test may be downloaded for $15 per test title. Test reviews include:
descriptive information (i.e., test purpose, test publisher, price, test acronym, intended test population, administration times, publication date(s), test authors, and in-print status)
evaluative information summarizing technical properties of the test (i.e., reliability, validity) when available
(Read a sample review)
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How do I determine if the Buros Institute has reviewed a test?
You can view the complete list of available test reviews by clicking on the "test reviews online" button on the Buros webpage. At our site, you will be able to search the Buros Institute's database for test reviews by keyword, by alphabet, or by category. Keyword searches may be limited to any of six potential areas including title, publisher, author, purpose, acronym, or scores.
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I am searching for the review of a recent test, but cannot find it on Test Reviews Online. Did the Buros Institute choose not to review it?
Relatively new tests may be under review for the next edition of the Mental Measurements Yearbook. You will find information on the current status of many tests by listing your test's name in the keyword search field and examining the "Notes" section. If you are unable to find the test name at the Buros Institute's website, you may want to contact the test publisher, access a specialized database (such as PsycInfo) at your library, or check with the ETS website.
You also may try checking our Tests Reviews Online service periodically because test reviews are available prior to publication in the Mental Measurements Yearbook series. Because the Buros Institute reviews only commercially available tests, research instruments and proprietary tests are not part of our review process.
It is also possible that the publisher has not provided us with copies of their testing materials that are necessary to conduct a test review. In these situations, we are unable to provide a test review. As of The Fourteenth Mental Measurements Yearbook, reviews are not obtained when tests do not provide sufficient evidence of their developmental history or technical characteristics.
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What is the "scores index" and where can I find it on Test Reviews Online?
The "scores index" is a listing of the scored parts of a test. Because the actual constructs of a test are often unclear, the "scores index" was created to clarify the subparts that test authors are seeking to assess. For example, some personnel tests will evaluate areas such as work commitment, career beliefs, risk taking, etc. Although the Test Reviews Online search engine does not list the scores index, it does search these fields when you choose the "All Fields" or the "Scores Index" field. You can obtain a listing of the "scores index" for any reviewed instrument by obtaining the test review through Test Reviews Online, the Mental Measurements Yearbook, or the Tests in Print book series.
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Can I access a list of all the tests that have been evaluated by the Buros Institute?
You can access and view a cumulative listing of the most current reviews for any test that has had reviews published in the Ninth Mental Measurements Yearbook (published in 1985) through the current date by choosing the "Cumulative MMY Index" button on the Buros Institute's webpage. Separate listings by different editions of the Mental Measurements Yearbook are also available on this page. You should note that reviews of older versions of a test are not available through Test Reviews Online due to the confusion multiple reviews might create for users. Older reviews of tests remain available in previously published versions of the Mental Measurements Yearbook series.
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What kind of tests are reviewed by the Buros Institute?
The Buros Institute publishes descriptions and critical reviews of commercially available English language tests. A test qualifies for review if it meets the general criteria of providing at least a minimal level of psychometric data (e.g., development history, reliability estimates, validity evidence).
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How do I obtain an actual test after I've read the review?
The Buros Institute does not publish, distribute, or administer tests. To acquire tests or testing materials, you will need contact the test publisher. Publishers' addresses (and in many cases phone numbers, email addresses, and websites) are available by searching the publisher field on Test Reviews Online. The Tests in Print book series also provides contact information for test publishers.
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I am the author of a new (or revised) test. How can I have my test listed in a Buros publication?
If your test is commercially available and has not been listed or reviewed in a previous Buros publication, please contact the Buros Institute at bimm@unl.edu. All commercially available tests known to us are listed in Tests in Print (and included on our Test Reviews Online search engine). However, only tests that provide minimal psychometric documentation (e.g., development history, reliability estimates, validity evidence) are eligible for review in the Mental Measurements Yearbook series.
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Is it possible to request the Buros Institute to review a specific test?
The Buros Institute reviews commercially available English language tests meeting sufficient technical standards that are provided to us by test publishers. Tests developed as research instruments only are not subject to review. If you wish to check whether a specific test has been reviewed, our search engine should provide updated status information.
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How to cite reviews from the Buros Institute's
Test Reviews Online
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001) recommends that citations to online materials provide title, date, internet address, and author names of the reference. Reviews retrieved from Test Reviews Online will have a specific eight-digit number attached to them (e.g., 15192839) listed above the test name. The first two digits of this eight-digit number convey the specific edition of the Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY). "16xxxxxx" indicates the 16th MMY, "15xxxxxx" the 15th, etc.
Here is the suggested citation format for reviews obtained through Test Reviews Online for different editions of the Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY):
Last name, first initial of review author. (Year of MMY publication). Test review of the name of test. From name(s) of MMY editors, The edition mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
Example:
Sandoval, J. (2003). Test review of the Woodcock-Johnson III. From B. S. Plake, J. C. Impara, & R. A. Spies (Eds.), The fifteenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved February 10, 2003, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
The following are example citations from the Ninth through the Eighteenth Mental Measurements Yearbooks that may be used as templates:
If the eight-digit number begins with 18 (e.g., 18013214), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (in press). Test review of the name of test. From K. F. Geisinger, R. A. Spies, & J. F. Carlson (Eds.), The eighteenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 17 (e.g., 17033326), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (2007). Test review of the name of test. From K. F. Geisinger, R. A. Spies, J. F. Carlson, & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The seventeenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 16 (e.g., 16032848), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (2005). Test review of the name of test. From R. A. Spies & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The sixteenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 15 (e.g., 15192839), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (2003). Test review of the name of test. From B. S. Plake, J. C. Impara, & R. A. Spies (Eds.), The fifteenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 14 (e.g., 14122332), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (2001). Test review of the name of test. From B. S. Plake & J. C. Impara (Eds.), The fourteenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 13 (e.g., 13072025), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (1998). Test review of the name of test. From J. C. Impara & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The thirteenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 12 (e.g., 12180962), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (1995). Test review of the name of test. From J. C. Conoley & J. C. Impara (Eds.), The twelfth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 11 (e.g., 11160192), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (1992). Test review of the name of test. From J. J. Kramer & J. C. Conoley (Eds.), The eleventh mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 10 (e.g., 10020325), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (1989). Test review of the name of test. From J. C. Conoley & J. J. Kramer (Eds.), The tenth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
If the eight-digit number begins with 09 (e.g., 09189098), use this citation template:
Last name, first initial of review author. (1985). Test review of the name of test. From J. V. Mitchell, Jr. (Ed.), The ninth mental measurements yearbook [Electronic version]. Retrieved date you retrieved the review, from the Buros Institute's Test Reviews Online website: http://www.unl.edu/buros
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How to cite reviews from the Buros Institute's
Mental Measurements Yearbook
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001) recommends that citations to articles or chapters from an edited book follow this format. (See page 252, #34 for example.)
Here is the suggested citation format for reviews obtained from The Mental Measurements Yearbook:
Last name, first initial of review author. (Year of MMY publication). [Review of the name of test.] In name(s) of MMY editors, The edition mental measurements yearbook (pp. xxx-xxx). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Below is a listing of example citations from The Mental Measurements Yearbook from the Ninth through Seventeenth yearbooks:
Hubley, A. M. (2007). [Review of the Location Learning Test]. In K. F. Geisinger, R. A. Spies, J. F. Carlson, & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The seventeenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 498-502). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Johnson, J. A., & D'Amato, R. C. (2005). [Review of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Edition]. In R. A. Spies & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The sixteenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 975-979). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Sandoval, J. (2003). [Review of the Woodcock-Johnson III]. In B. S. Plake, J. C. Impara, & R. A. Spies (Eds.), The fifteenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 1024-1028). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Hess, A. K., Zachar, P., & Kramer, J. (2001). [Review of the Rorschach]. In B. S. Plake & J. C. Impara (Eds.), The fourteenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 1033-1038). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Nitko, A. (1998). [Review of the California Achievement Tests, Fifth Edition]. In J. C. Impara & B. S. Plake (Eds.), The thirteenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 153-156). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Sandoval, J. (1995). [Review of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition]. In J. C. Conoley & J. C. Impara (Eds.), The twelfth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 1103-1104). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Elliott, S. N. (1992). [Review of the Child Behavior Checklist]. In J. J. Kramer & J. C. Conoley (Eds.), The eleventh mental measurements yearbook (pp. 166-169). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
Benson, P. G. (1989). [Review of the Sales Staff Selector]. In J. C. Conoley & J. J. Kramer
(Eds.), The tenth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 707-709). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
McIntyre, R. M. (1985). [Review of the Supervisory Practices Inventory]. In J. V. Mitchell, Jr. (Ed.), The ninth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 1504-1506). Lincoln, NE: Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.
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Test Reviews Online
Purchase Policy
The Buros Institute of Mental Measurements established Test Reviews Online as an efficient resource for the delivery of candidly critical reviews of commercially available tests. Although the Buros Institute does not sell or otherwise make available specific tests (these must be obtained from the test publisher), we do provide test descriptions and test reviews written by experts in the field. In order to qualify to review tests for the Buros Institute, reviewers must have Ph.D.s and measurement expertise. The majority of tests have been evaluated by two independent reviewers.
If you have purchased a review from Test Reviews Online and encounter a problem, please complete this Test Reviews Online problem form. We will resend your purchased test review via email as soon as possible. Our purchase policy does not permit us to make refunds based on dissatisfaction with the content of test reviews or technical problems that cannot be addressed by resending the originally purchased review.
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