In psychology measurement, what term refers to scientific measuring instruments that yield a single score on a scale?

• A. Tests and scales
• B. Psychometrics
• C. Test norms
• D. Norms

Answer: (A)

The idea is that the measuring tools used in psychology to quantify a trait or ability are tests and scales. Tests are standardized procedures that assess a specific construct, and when you administer and score them, they produce a single numerical score on a defined scale. Scales refer to the scoring method that turns responses into numbers. Together, they are the scientific measuring instruments themselves, separate from the field that studies them (psychometrics) or from the normative data used to interpret scores. Norms and test norms describe how scores compare to a reference group, not the instrument producing the score. So the best fit for instruments that yield a single score on a scale is tests and scales.