Education Guide: Locating Tests in the ETS Test Collection and the Tests in Microfiche Collection
The ETS Test Collection describes over 20,000 tests which reside in the library of the Educational Testing Service.
Tests in Microfiche is a subset of the entire ETS Test Collection. It includes non-commercial research instruments which the authors have agreed to make available through Educational Testing Service. These tests are on microfiche and can be reproduced for educational or research purposes. Most of this microfiche set is available in Media Dept., Ekstrom Library (2nd floor - call no. 21 LB 23), and the fiche are grouped by a letter and filed by number within the letter grouping.
Locating the tests
- To search for the ETS Test Collection, click on "All Databases A-Z" on the Libraries webpage. In the alphabetical list find ETS Testlink and click on the link.
- Once you're there, click on the "TestLink" icon, near the bottom of the page.
- Enter search terms. You can change the field you are searching by clicking on the dropdown box next to "Title Search" and choosing another field.
- A list of titles of tests will be displayed. To choose one, click on the title to see the complete record for that test.
- When the complete record is displayed, you need to look at the Availability field to determine where you can find the complete test. Sometimes, journal articles are cited, or ERIC documents. Occasionally the author is the only source.
If a test is available in Tests in Microfiche that will be stated:
Availability--Somewhere in this field it will say "Tests in Microfiche"
Test Acronyms--This field will state TIM followed by a letter.
Call Number--This field will give you the microfiche card number (a 4-6 digit number). You will need the letter and the number to find the fiche in the Ekstrom Media and Microforms Dept.
Sample Entry from ETS Test Collection database (nothing is bold on actual records):
Template........ Test Collection
System key...... aiwd
Call number..... TC009428
Purchase........ Email library@ets.org or Phone 1-609-734-5689
Title........... Parental Attitudes Toward Mentally Retarded Children Scale.
Author.......... Love, Harold D.
Availability.... Tests in Microfiche; Test Collection, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541
Year............ 1967
Test Acronyms... TIM(F)
Code............ 8206
Major Descript.. Children
Major Descript.. Mental Retardation
Major Descript.. Parent Attitudes
Major Descript.. Rating Scales
Minor Descript.. Adults
Minor Descript.. Attitude Measures
Minor Descript.. Likert Scales
Abstract........ This untimed Likert scale measures parental attitudes toward mentally retarded children in work, community, and school situations.
General notes... ITEMS: 30.
C.A. Bulletin..:
Period......... n/a Not Applicable
Year........... 0
Security level.. 0
Multi-volume?... No
In this example, the microfiche would be located in the Media Dept., 2nd floor of Ekstrom Library, in Files marked Microfiche Collection, (across from the newspapers) under 21 LB 23. Once you've found the Tests in Microfiche, go to set F, card number 9428.
Limiting your search to Tests in Microfiche
To limit your search in ETS Test Collection to only those tests available in Microfiche -- From the opening Search screen, Click on Advanced (just below the search box).
- In the first dropdown box choose the field you want to search for your topic word (e.g., Title Search or Descriptor Search or Abstract). Type your subject word in the far right box and click search.
- When those results come up, go back to the first dropdown box and choose Availability. Type microfiche in the far right box and click search.
- The computer combines the 2 searches so you get the relevant articles that are available in Tests in Microfiche.
An alternate for locating the tests is to use the paper index to the set, also in the Media Dept., titled Cumulative Index to Tests in Microfiche, 1975-2000, call no. Media LB 3051 .E795. There are indexes by author, title, and broad subject. All indexes indicate number of the test, and you find that number in a numeric list to get the set letter.
Limiting your search to tests available in journal articles
Follow instructions for "Limiting your search to Tests in Microfiche" immediately above. In The 3rd step, instead of typing "microfiche" after selecting Availability, type the word "journal." Results should give you a journal citation in the Availability line.