Tests in Print

Mental Measurements Yearbook

Which of the following best describes a proprietary measure in psychological research?

A researcher wants to use a well-known standardized depression inventory in their clinical study. Simply citing the original authors of the instrument in their manuscript is sufficient to legally use the assessment tool in their research.

A researcher plans to use the Beck Depression Inventory (a proprietary measure) for their upcoming psychology study. Arrange the steps the researcher must take to legally and ethically use this instrument in the correct procedural order.

Analyze the following research scenarios involving psychological assessments. Match each scenario with the specific aspect or category of a proprietary measure it illustrates.

In the context of psychological research, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is categorized as which type of measure?

Match each aspect of a proprietary measure with the statement that best describes its significance in psychological research.

A clinical researcher is evaluating the feasibility of using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for a new study and determines that, because a publisher holds the exclusive legal rights to the assessment, they are legally and ethically required to purchase it. By judging the instrument based on these specific constraints of legal ownership and the necessity of procurement, the researcher identifies it as a(n) _____ measure.

Dr. Logan wants to use the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for a clinical psychology study. Because Dr. Logan already has a digital copy of the MMPI questions from a colleague, they can legally administer it to their study participants without making any purchase from the publisher.

In analyzing the feasibility of a clinical study, a researcher determines that they cannot freely copy and distribute the Beck Depression Inventory because it is a proprietary measure, meaning a publisher owns the _____ to the tool, which necessitates purchasing it prior to use.

A clinical researcher is deciding whether to use the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for a new study. Order the steps the researcher should take to evaluate, acquire, and implement this proprietary measure legally and ethically.

Define what a proprietary measure is in the context of psychological research, and list two specific examples of such measures.

Based on the definition of a proprietary measure, explain why Dr. Ramirez's plan to use these specific assessments by printing them from the internet is inappropriate.

A student researcher is looking for an existing measure for their study but has no budget to buy materials. Should they select the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for their design? Provide a brief one- to three-sentence answer justifying your decision.