LibGuides: Health Statistics, Data and Report: Data Tools

Surveys and Tools

If you need an actual copy of a research instrument, you must obtain both the instrument and permission to use it. Research instruments may be copyrighted. To obtain permission, contact the copyright holder in writing (either by print or email).

Here are some tips for finding the instrument:

Try searching for the test title in Google or Google Scholar.
Look for journal articles that include or append the test.
Dissertations sometimes include the instrument in an appendix.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) offers practical, research-based tools and other resources to help a variety of health care organizations, providers, and others make care safer in all health care settings.
RAND Surveys
RAND's researchers and survey experts have developed numerous health-related surveys. Available for free in the public domain, these surveys are designed for a wide range of purposes, including assessing patients' health, screening for mental health conditions, and measuring quality of care and quality of life.
Substance Use Screening & Assessment Instruments @ UW
To help clinicians and researchers find instruments used for screening and assessment of substance use and substance use disorders.
Tools from the Medical Outcomes Trust (MOT)
The instruments in the MOT library have significant evidence of validity and have been widely adapted over many years. Typically, they require a licensing fee, which may include services such as data collection, analysis, and reporting, depending on the licensing organization or distributor. While the mode of access varies by instrument, all are copyrighted and most require a license. For specific information on copyright holders and where to obtain each instrument, please refer to the MOT website.
Health Literacy Tool Shed
The Health Literacy Tool Shed is an online database of health literacy measures. The site contains information about measures, including their psychometric properties, based on a review of the peer-reviewed literature.

GIS/Visualization

PolicyMap This link opens in a new window
PolicyMap utilizes GIS and US data indicators to provide detailed maps, tables and charts of the nation. PolicyMap’s data indicators are accessible through the main menu and including demographics, income and spending, housing, lending, quality of life, economy, education, and health. Data can be viewed on the census tract level in many cases, as well as city, county, zip, state, US congressional district, school district, state house and state senate districts.