Psychometric evaluation of the attitudes toward Handheld Decision Support Software Scale in a sample of nursing...

Valid measures of attitudes are an important component of developing and testing educational interventions aimed at improving technology acceptance. The aim of this study was to assess the construct validity (factor analysis and discriminant validity), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach α), and responsiveness (independent-samples t test) of the Attitudes toward Handheld Decision Support Software Scale in a sample of 103 nursing students engaged in a set of curricular activities focused on enabling safe and evidence-based nursing practice through the use of information technology. Principal components factor analysis resulted in three factors (ease of use and usefulness, clinical support, and barriers to use) that explained 55.49% of the variance. Internal consistency reliability estimates ranged from .61 to .82. Factor scores did not discriminate between nursing students who owned a PDA and those who did not. There were no significant changes in factors scores over time (responsiveness). This study provides preliminary evidence for the factorial structure of the Handheld Decision Support Software Scale and internal consistency of two of the three factor scales. Further exploration of the construct validity, internal consistency, and responsiveness is warranted.