Factor structure of the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI)

The Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI) is a 92-item measure covering 10 domains of research self-efficacy. A known behavioral antecedent, reliable and valid measures of self-efficacy represent a potentially useful tool in the evaluation of research training program efficacy. However, few formal psychometric studies of this instrument exist. Using exploratory factor analysis, we examine the CRAI's dimensional structure in a new sample of clinical research trainees. In contrast to the multidimensional solutions reported previously, CRAI responses in the present sample were unambiguously one-dimensional (as suggested by a dominant single Eigenvalue and parallel analysis). This discrepant finding may reflect sample differences in research experience, as unlike previous studies, participants had all already obtained a professional degree. The CRAI's dimensional structure may coalesce into a smaller number of factors as research experience is acquired, and investigators should be mindful of this possibility in future studies of the instrument.