Research Competencies Assessment Instrument for Nurses: Preliminary Psychometric Properties

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Healthcare Competency Assessment

Background:

• Clinician research competencies are crucial for implementing evidence-based practice (EBP).
• Registered nurses' (RNs) research knowledge, skills, and attitudes impact EBP adoption.
• Existing tools may not adequately measure RN research competencies in EBP domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and psychometrically evaluate the Research Competencies Assessment Instrument for Nurses (RCAIN).
• To measure RN research competencies across EBP-related domains: research process, knowledge synthesis, and knowledge translation.
• To provide a reliable tool for assessing modifiable characteristics influencing practice and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• The study involved developing and refining the RCAIN instrument.
• Preliminary psychometric properties, including face, content, and construct/criterion validity, were assessed.
• Data were collected from 63 completed surveys.

Main Results:

• The revised RCAIN comprises 19 five-point Likert-type questions.
• High internal consistency was demonstrated (Cronbach's α coefficients: .871, .813, .946).
• Factor analysis revealed three key components: comprehension, skills, and application of research knowledge.

Conclusions:

• The RCAIN is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing RN research competencies relevant to EBP.
• The instrument measures modifiable characteristics that can explain variance in practice and patient outcomes.
• Further validation studies are ongoing to confirm RCAIN's utility.