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Frequently Asked Questions

Fishing for Answers? See these most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for help

If you still have a question, just phone us at (650) 322-6300 or use our contact form.

 

 

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Is a Manual/Sampler set a manual?

Yes, we call it a Manual/Sampler set because it includes samples of the instrument and scoring instructions.

What is your copyright policy?

Mind Garden policies about permission to reproduce in publications and other issues related to copyright are listed on the copyright page.

Do you require qualifications?

Mind Garden supports the concept of "good test use" but we would rather provide genuinely helpful information about psychological assessment rather than restricting the use of our products. Almost none of our products have use restrictions. You can review our description of good test use.

How can I save time and money in ordering?

Save Time: By ordering the PDF version of products (where available), you will receive a web link to the instrument/document within a couple of hours of your ordering (barring any technical problems).
Save Money: There is no charge for shipping and handling on PDF products. (Note that regardless of whether you order the PDF or paper reproduction license, you will receive ONE copy with license to reproduce the purchased number. )

Can I get a student or academic discount?

Our products are deliberately priced at a reasonable level for the academic environment, and so we do not offer additional student discounts. We do, however, offer substantial discounts on purchases of large quantities (see price list for each product for specific prices), of which any customer may take advantage. Bookstores and distributors may purchase Mind Garden products for resale at a 20% discount.

Does Mind Garden's new Transform system work with all web browsers?

If your computer uses Internet Explorer version 6 (IE6), you may have difficulty while accessing or using Mind Garden’s Transform (or any other online survey website).

  • How to discover which web browser you are using:
    1. Open the web browser
    2. Pull down the Help menu at the top
    3. Select "About Internet Explorer"
    4. Check the version -- if it begins with a 6, you will have difficulty with almost any current online survey.
  • Possible Solutions:
    • Upgrade to Internet Explorer 7 or later, which is free over the internet (check with your IT person first)
    • OR, install or use another web browser such as FireFox, Safari or Chrome
    • OR, access the survey from another computer at work or at home that does not use IE 6.

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Do I need a manual?

The manual contains an explanation of the instrument, administrations, interpretation, scoring, validity, reliability, and very important normative information. We highly recommend that to fully use an instrument you order both the Manual/Sampler Set and a reproduction license.

What translations of this instrument do you have?

A list of translated instruments can be found on our translations index page.

What if I don't use all the copies in the year of the License terms?

A license to Reproduce is created for a limited term. We suggest you copy the extra copies up to what you have purchased before the expiration of your License term.
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Can I get multiple paper copies of instruments rather than via the License to Reproduce?

If you order a Paper-by-Mail copy, Mind Garden ships only one copy with License to Reproduce the number you purchase.

What is a "test booklet"?

"A test booklet" is a reference to the method of providing the instrument in a paper format.

What is a scoring key?

"Scoring Key" is the term for the information about how to score the instrument. Full scoring instructions are included in the Manual/Sampler Set

How do I calculate a T-score?

You can calculate a T-score using the mean and standard deviation of the reference normative population in the test manual. Use the formula T = 50 + (10*(raw score - mean))/standard deviation where raw score is the score for that person on the scale, mean is the mean for that reference norm, and standard deviation is the standard deviation for that reference norm.

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Why not use just the self form of the MLQ? Why are the ratings of others important?

There are many reasons, but here are the ones that are perhaps most important to consider:

  1. Leaders can have unique relationships with peers, followers and other leaders, thus the ratings will differ as a consequence of how unique these relationships are with their constituency.
  2. Related to point 1, since leadership is in the 'eye of the beholder', why would you want to collect data from only the 'self beholder'.
  3. There is considerable evidence indicating that self and other ratings often times do not agree, for reasons mentioned above.
  4. The choice of which rater source to use, should be tied to the research question. If you are interested in how leaders think about their own leadership, then just collect self. In every other instance, why would you not collect another source?
  5. In sum, the self form does not measure actual leadership but only the perception of leadership.

This is an important question so to expand this, at core, leadership is in the eye of the beholder. Thus, to the degree that one has only one source, the validity of that source is in question. This is true of every instrument, including personality. Thus, if a leader has 10 followers and you just get a rating from one, likely that rating will not represent all 9 other views -- especially if that rater has worked for the leader for one month or less. If we get ratings from peers, that may not generalize to followers. If we get ratings from the leader him or herself, the question one has to answer is how representative are those ratings of all other sources. If your interest is how to change the self perceptions of a leader, then measuring self ratings is appropriate. If the goal is to measure leadership then measuring rater perception of the leader is the most appropriate.

"The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none." —Thomas Carlyle (1888)

How can I determine cutoffs for someone being a transformational leader?

In most instances, we do not recommend using cutoffs. Why? It limits the information you have on the leader. The MLQ measures leadership behaviors, and their frequency of occurrence. Consequently, when we discuss tranformational leadership, we are discussing it in terms of degree or frequency of occurrence. Categorizing leaders into groupings limits information from both a practical and a statistical point of view.

If for some reason one has to categorize, then use the percentile charts and pick leaders say on all 4 I's that exceed the 90th percentile as being more transformational. If you want them to not be transactional, then pick leaders who fall above the 90th percentile on transformational components and below 50th percentile on Contingent Reward, Management by Exception Active & Passive and Laissez-faire.

When setting up the MLQ Web based asssesment, what are the guidelines for selecting raters?

Following are suggestions for selecting your raters:

  • Please use accurate email addresses so that they do not bounce back.
  • Only generate one rating request per person. If you generate more than one request, that person will be able to rate you more than once.
  • Select between 8 and 12 raters to provide feedback to you. Please use the following system to determine the names you will be using:

    A) We recommend one rater be at a higher level than you in your
    organization, optimally this is the person you report to.
    B) The next raters (we suggest at least three raters at any level
    other than higher) should be people at a lower level in your
    organization than you, optimally those that report to you.
    C) The next set of raters should be those at your organizational level
    who know you well.
    D) If you still do not have 8 to 12 names, you may use others who know
    your behavior well.

     

How do I handle missing values for a Social Climate Scale?

Using the Family Environment Scale (FES) of the Social Climate Scales as an example, if more than half of the nine (that is, five or more) items on any one of the subscales is missing, then the score for that subscale is considered missing. If a respondent misses one item on subscale then an initial score is obtained for that subscale and multiplied by 9/8ths to obtain the final score. If two items are missing on a subscale, then the initial score is multiplied by 9/7ths to obtain the final score. For three missing items, multiply by 9/6ths, and for four missing items, multiply by 9/5ths. In essence, when fewer than half of the items on a subscale are missing, this procedure will obtain FES subscale scores that are "comparable" to the regular 9-item subscale scores.

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How can I publish my assessment with Mind Garden?

If you have developed a psychological assessment, please feel free to contact Mind Garden about distributing and/or publishing your assessment or workbook. Contact us by clicking here or 650 322-6300.

How do I find the product code?

The product code is the five or more letters to the left of the product description (e.g. for "WAYSS Sampler Set" the product codes is "WAYSS" and the product, in this case, is the Sampler Set for the Ways of Coping Questionnaire).

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If you still have a question, just phone us at (650) 322-6300 or use our contact form.