Citing an assessment tool in APA format can be a daunting task for many students and researchers. However, it is crucial to give proper credit to the authors of the tool and to enable readers to find the original source easily. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to cite an assessment tool in APA format, along with examples and tips to make the process easier.
What is an Assessment Tool?
Before we dive into citing an assessment tool, let’s first define what it is. An assessment tool is any instrument or procedure used to measure a particular construct or variable. It could be a questionnaire, survey, test, or observation protocol, among others. These tools are commonly used in research studies, clinical practice, education settings, and other fields where data collection and analysis are essential.
Why is Citing an Assessment Tool Important?
Citing an assessment tool serves several purposes:
1. Attribution: By citing the original source of the assessment tool, you acknowledge the intellectual property rights of its creators and give them proper credit for their work.
2. Replication: If you want to replicate a study that used a specific assessment tool, you need to know its details and characteristics. Citing the tool enables you and other researchers to access its description, administration procedures, scoring guidelines, reliability estimates, and validity evidence.
3. Verification: Readers who want to verify the results of your study may want to examine the same or similar instruments you used. Citing the tools provides them with the information they need to evaluate your methodology and findings.
How to Cite an Assessment Tool in APA Format
Now that we have established why citing an assessment tool is important let’s move on to the steps involved in citing one in APA format:
Step 1: Identify the Type of Assessment Tool
The first step in citing an assessment tool is to identify its type. Different types of assessment tools have different citation formats, so it’s crucial to know which category your tool falls into. Here are some common types of assessment tools and their APA citation formats:
– Questionnaires and Surveys: If the tool is a self-report measure that consists of a series of questions or items, you should provide its title in italics, followed by the words “Questionnaire” or “Survey” in square brackets. For example:
Goldberg Depression Inventory [Questionnaire]
Big Five Personality Traits Survey [Survey]
– Tests and Scales: If the tool is a standardized test or scale that measures a specific construct (e.g., intelligence, anxiety), you should provide its name in italics, followed by the abbreviation of the publisher or organization that developed it. For example:
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV; Pearson)
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Mind Garden)
– Observational Protocols: If the tool involves observing and rating behavior or performance, you should provide its name in italics, followed by the abbreviation of the author(s) who created it. For example:
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G; Lord et al.)
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS; Pianta et al.)
Step 2: Provide Publication Information
The next step is to provide publication information about the assessment tool. This includes the year of publication, the location of the publisher, and any relevant details about the edition or version you used.
For questionnaires and surveys, you should also specify the format in which you accessed them (e.g., online, print). Here are some examples:
Goldberg Depression Inventory [Questionnaire]. (1978). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/712790
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV; Pearson) (2011). San Antonio, TX: Pearson.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G; Lord et al.) (2000). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
Step 3: Include a Reference List Entry
The final step is to include a reference list entry for the assessment tool. This should follow the usual APA formatting rules for reference lists, including alphabetical order, hanging indentation, and italicized titles.
Here are some examples of how to cite assessment tools in APA format:
Goldberg, D. P. (1978). Manual of the Goldberg Depression Inventory. Windsor, England: NFER-Nelson.
Pearson Clinical Assessment. (2011). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). San Antonio, TX: Author.
Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P., & Risi, S. (2000). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
Tips and Best Practices for Citing Assessment Tools in APA Format
To make sure that your citation of an assessment tool in APA format is accurate and follows best practices, here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
– Check the original source: Before citing an assessment tool, make sure you have access to the original source or its manual. This will enable you to provide all the necessary details about the tool’s administration procedures, scoring guidelines, and psychometric properties.
– Use credible sources: When searching for information about an assessment tool, use reputable sources such as peer-reviewed journals or books from established publishers. Avoid relying on non-peer-reviewed websites or blogs that may not provide accurate or complete information.
– Be consistent: Make sure that you use a consistent format throughout your paper when citing assessment tools. This includes using the same type of citation for each tool you use and following the same order of information (e.g., author, date, title).
– Use parentheses: When citing an assessment tool in the text of your paper, use parentheses to indicate the year of publication and, if necessary, the abbreviation or acronym for the tool. For example: “According to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV; Pearson, 2011),…”
– Seek guidance: If you are unsure about how to cite a particular assessment tool or need more information, seek guidance from your instructor, librarian, or APA style manual.
Conclusion
Citing an assessment tool in APA format may seem challenging at first, but it is essential to give proper credit to its creators and enable readers to access its details easily. By following the steps and tips outlined in this article, you can cite assessment tools accurately and confidently in your research papers and other academic writing. Remember always to check with credible sources and be consistent throughout your work.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center. (n.d.). APA documentation: Citing an assessment tool/test/survey. https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/documentation/citing-an-assessment-tool-test-survey/
