Sorting Hat Personality Test

Fans of Harry Potter can find out what Hogwarts House they belong to by completing a test that poses 122 questions. Individuals who rate their responses to personality questions using a 9-point scale are sorted into one of the four houses: Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin.

But there's a catch. This information is being collecting for research and the researcher doesn't identify himself or herself. What's the purpose of the research? Who's behind this? Is it legitimate? Is the test any good?

These questions require careful Web site investigation.

The prospect of finding out one's Hogwarts House is appealing to Harry Potter fans of all ages. But the fine print states you must be at least 18 years old to take the test. The reason is that the data is being collected for research and anyone under the age of 18 needs parental consent to participate in a research project.

So this Web site provides more than just an entertaining self-assessment of personal habits and relationships (e.g., "I get along with other people"). Someone is building a population personality profile and wants your information to complete the picture.

This raises the question: who is collecting the information? The person behind the Web site doesn't provide any personal information. Wouldn't it be important to know who is collecting your feedback? What are this person's qualifications? Is this a scientific study based on solid theory or is it mostly made up, in which case the results don't mean much.

It's not a good idea to share information about yourself with a stranger--especially one who doesn't tell you who he or she is.

This investigation requires finding the name of the person responsible for the Web site and then checking that person's qualifications by searching the Internet with his or her name and looking for clues about the test and the research.

Be sure to base your conclusions on facts.

By the way, if you're not 18 there's nothing stopping you from taking the test. Your information just won't be included in the person's study.