WORKSHOP: Demystifying Instrument Development: A Practical Approach for Nursing Education Researchers

Description/Overview: The purpose of this educational pre-conference workshop is to demystify the process for developing and testing theoretically and psychometrically sounds instruments for use in nursing education and nursing education research. Attendees interested in developing and testing an instrument or scale will gain the confidence to carry out initial instrument development work by a) developing new skills and insights into the instrument development process and, b) identifying collaborators who can support instrument development. In a strong statement describing the foundational importance of measurement to the overall research process, DeVellis (2012) noted, “A researcher who does not understand the relationship between measures and the variables they represent, in a very literal sense, does not know what they are talking about. Viewed in this light, the efforts entailed in careful measurement are amply rewarded by their benefits” (p. 191). Clearly, the science of nursing education will benefit tremendously from access to instruments with robust validity and reliability evidence. Attendees will engage in active learning exercises and dialogue with colleagues from across the country to define important measurement and instrument topics, content areas, and strategies. Concepts examined include measurement theory, quantitative and qualitative approaches in instrument development, analytic techniques for instrument testing and refinement, and research designs for establishing validity and reliability evidence. Overarching themes include ethical, cultural, and pragmatic considerations in measure development and application. At the conclusion of the workshop, attendees will be able to: 1. Explain various approaches to instrument development, focusing on application of common models/theories of measurement. 2. Distinguish current conceptions of validity and reliability and the methodological strategies required to produce robust validity and reliability evidence. 3. Select appropriate basic psychometric analyses required for instrument/scale development. 4. Construct an empirically sound approach for instrument/scale development and initial testing. 5. Evaluate and apply guidelines for appraisal of instrument/scale development research.