What is background information?
Background information, or reference information, is the type of information you could get from Wikipedia. These resources will give you trustworthy overviews of a topic and provide you with basic things like dates, events and facts about your topic. Generally, you can think of this information in terms of the who, what, where and when of a topic.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the handbook used by health care professionals in the United States and much of the world as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. DSM contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.
The current edition of the DSM is the Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DMS-5-TR). The DSM-5-TF includes the fully revised text and references, updated diagnostic criteria and ICD-10-CM codes since the DSM-05 was published in 2013.
The library provides access to the DSM-5-TR through the DSM-5 Library, an online database, as well as access to print volumes. Please note that the online DSM Library does not have access to legacy content (previous editions). Ask a librarian about previous editions in the print collection.
- DSM-5 Library This link opens in a new windowDatabase contains the full content of:
* DSM-5-TR
* DSM-5 Handbook on the Cultural Formulation Interview
* DSM-5 Handbook of Differential Diagnosis
* DSM-5-TR Clinical Cases
* Spanish Edition of the Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from the DSM-5
The DSM-5 Library does not have access to legacy content.
APPI
Where to Find Background Information
- Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
A database of full-text encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. Gale
- MasterFILE Complete This link opens in a new window
Designed specifically for public libraries, this multidisciplinary database provides full text for more than 2,000 general reference publications with full text information dating as far back as 1922. Covering virtually every subject area of general interest, it also contains full text for more than 1,000 reference books and over 164,400 primary source documents, as well as an Image Collection of over 502,000 photos, maps & flags. EBSCO
Tests & Measurements
- Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print This link opens in a new window
Provides information about English-language standardized tests covering educational skills, personality, vocational aptitude, psychology, and related areas as included in the print Mental Measurements Yearbooks. This database also includes the complete Tests in Print database, which serves as a bibliography to all known commercially available tests in the English language. EBSCO
- ETS Online Research LibraryETS develops and administers many major tests - including TOEFL, GRE, and the PRAXIS series. They also conduct and publish research on assessment and testing. Their database captures in one place research published by ETS and ETS Staff members, including that published in:
•Research Reports
•Policy Reports
•Books
•Book Chapters
•Journal Articles
•Published Conference Papers
The database is primarily bibliographical, but links to full-text. - Code of Fair Testing Practices in Educationa guide for professionals in fulfilling their obligation to provide and use tests that are fair to all test takers regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, linguistic background, or other personal characteristics. From the American Psychological Association.
- Texas Success InitiatorPractice tests for the TSI from Houston Community College System. We also have print and electronic study guides for TSI.
- Finding Information About Psychological TestsPrepared by the American Psychological Association to provide guidance in using available resources to find psychological tests.
- The Use of Self-Report Data in PsychologyBrief article on the use of self-report measures and examples of commonly used tests and measures of self-report. This article is professionally written and fact checked, it is not peer reviewed.