Using tests in thesis research

[vcpsych]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone! I tried browsing through the archives for a post about this since I am convinced I read something last year, but no such luck. Grr.

I'd like to use the BDI-II, EAT-26, EDI, and STAI in my thesis research and am trying to get an idea of how to go about requesting permission to use these measures. I know I need to contact the developers, but I was wondering if anybody here has used any of these measures and could tell me what the costs are. I've heard that the BDI can be pretty expensive, but I don't know any specifics. I plan to use these measures in an online survey format, so I don't know if that makes any difference (compared to having multiple paper copies distributed to participants).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions! 🙂

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

IIRC the EDI-3 should be relatively inexpensive to incorporate into research. I remember looking up the contact info and permission process two years ago when I was kicking around a study idea.

I'd be curious to hear how the publishers handle an electronic version of a self-report like a BDI, EDI, etc. I'd guess they wouldn't be wild about it, though maybe they would be more understanding for a research project.

Let us know what you find out, as I will eventually be coming back to my study idea, and it will involve some similar measures.

As for the EAT, I think (and don't quote me), they allow it be used for "free" for research.

 

[PsyDr]

i think if you write copywrite holders and request permission to publish their tests online (and yes it is publishing), you are likely to receive a very helpful cease and desist order.

 

[irish80122]

I agree, anyone with a copyrighted measure is going to want to make sure that you have safeguards against someone getting the items. I have worked on a project which got permission for this in the past, but we had to show that it was password protected and what not. They usually don't give a discount for online administration. Be sure to talk to the publisher though, buying the paper version is not enough!

 

[JockNerd]

I'd also recommend checking to see if the copyrighted measures are *really* the best measures to use to assess the construct you want. I was planning on using the Bem Sex Role Inventory in my honors thesis, but then discovered they wanted about a buck per administration... with n = 500, that's expensive for an unfunded senior thesis! I ended up finding alternate, free measures that were actually VASTLY superior to the BSRI, at least for my purposes.

 

[Ollie123]

Solid advice all around, so don't really have anything to add - just a rant😉

I can understand it for elaborate tests where you need extensive testing materials, etc. (e.g. WAIS, WISC, etc.) but I find the cost of things like the BDI more than a little ridiculous. Its a freakin 21 item questionnaire. It may be widely used, but it doesn't have magical powers. Huge barrier to science since it basically necessitates some form of funding for any study that wants to use it. Big fat honking excuse (and a good one at that) for practitioners not to provide the ongoing assessment that SHOULD be a part of any legitimate treatment program, because that's money coming out of their pocket.

I'd love to conduct a survey and find out how many people in this field are violating copyright laws. I bet the number is absolutely astronomical.

 

[JockNerd]

Solid advice all around, so don't really have anything to add - just a rant😉

I can understand it for elaborate tests where you need extensive testing materials, etc. (e.g. WAIS, WISC, etc.) but I find the cost of things like the BDI more than a little ridiculous. Its a freakin 21 item questionnaire. It may be widely used, but it doesn't have magical powers. Huge barrier to science since it basically necessitates some form of funding for any study that wants to use it. Big fat honking excuse for practitioners not to provide the ongoing assessment that SHOULD be a part of any legitimate treatment program, because that's money coming out of their pocket.

I'd love to conduct a survey and find out how many people in this field are violating copyright laws. I bet the number is absolutely astronomical.

Bem Sex Role Inventory. Old as dirt. Assesses 2 things. 60 items long. Costs $300 for 500 administrations. Complete item content is the first thing you find in a google search, right above the site you're supposed to buy it from.

 

[myelin]

If you don't end up using the BDI-II, check out the CES-D. It is free to use and, if i recall correctly, correlated strongly with the BDI-II.