Improving the work environment through the use of research instruments: an example

Over the past several years, although the quality of the work environment has improved for registered nurses, there is much that still needs to be done. However, much of the published research conducted in relation to the quality of work environments has focused on the more traditional components of the work environment. To assess the nontraditional components of a work environment, it is critical that reliable and valid instruments be utilized in order to ensure that the data gathered is accurate and truly reflective of what exists within the work environment. This article will describe one instrument, the Sieloff-King Assessment of Group Outcome Attainment within Organizations, that has demonstrated reliability and validity. The application of this instrument in the improvement of the health care environment will be discussed.