ERIC: Tips for Searching

The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is an online digital library of education research and information. ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the United States Department of Education.

For best results, go directly to ERIC; however, ERIC is also searched within the CORE Library.

ERIC serves two functions. One is to serve as an index to journals in education and related disciplines. The second function is to serve as an index to research reports, conference papers, curriculum guides, and other unpublished material. Many unpublished reports are also reproduced and distributed by ERIC.

ERIC is one of few databases where you can find the full set of test questions used in a study. ERIC can publish the complete test or questionnaire because government funded research requires full-access by the public. 

In 1974, ERIC started assigning  Publication Types to ERIC documents. In 1979, they added them to journal articles, too. A maximum of three Publication Types are assigned per record. These may include questionnaires, tests, examinations, evaluation and measurement devices, test specifications, compilations of tests, opinion polls (instruments), assessment tools, reporting booklets, rating scales, test manuals, etc.

To search, use unique, significant words. Or try include the entire name of the instrument.

1. Search using search terms for your topic and then
2. Use filters to narrow to your specific descriptor, such as Test Validity or Screening Tests or Reports - Research.