How to cite tests, scales, and inventories in APA 7

References and in-text citations for tests and scales

This guide helps you choose the work that needs an APA reference and write its in-text citations when using a test, scale, or inventory. First look for its manual or the publication that explains its development and validation.

Cite the instrument itself only when no manual or supporting publication is available. If you used information unique to a test database record, cite that record.

Manual structure

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of test manual. Publisher.

Names of tests, scales, and inventories use title case when mentioned in the text. In the reference list, a manual title follows the usual book format.

Scale manual example

The names and details are illustrative.

Reference

Acosta, P. L., & Marin, J. C. (2022). Academic Self-Regulation Scale: Technical manual. Psychometric Press.

Parenthetical citationThe source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024).

(Acosta & Marin, 2022)

Narrative citationThe author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024).

Acosta and Marin (2022)

Instruments and database records

When no manual or supporting literature exists, reference the instrument with its author, date, title, and retrievable source. Use n.d. consistently in both the reference and citation when no date is available.

A specialized database record needs a description such as [Database record]. Include the database name when you used information unique to that record. If you only found the test there, look for its manual or original publication instead.

More instrument examples

All names, details, and addresses are illustrative.

Test without an available manual

Reference

Center for Educational Assessment. (2021). Academic Text Comprehension Test. https://example.com/tests/comprehension

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Center for Educational Assessment, 2021)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Center for Educational Assessment (2021)

Complete scale

Reference

Jimenez, L. P. (2020). University Writing Confidence Scale. Open Instruments Repository. https://example.com/scales/confidence

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Jimenez, 2020)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Jimenez (2020)

Complete inventory

Reference

Independent Learning Group. (n.d.). Study Strategies Inventory. https://example.com/instruments/strategies

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Independent Learning Group, n.d.)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Independent Learning Group (n.d.)

Test database record

Reference

Suarez, N. M., & Gil, P. A. (2022). Academic Participation Questionnaire [Database record]. Educational Tests Archive. https://example.com/database/questionnaire-42

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Suarez & Gil, 2022)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Suarez and Gil (2022)

How to check the reference

• You looked for the manual or supporting literature first.
• You cited the instrument itself only when it was the appropriate source.
• You included a specialized database only when you used unique record information.
• You preserved the instrument's correct name.
• The citation matches the author and year of the source used.

Explore the APA reference types.