Gregory Research Beliefs Scale: Preliminary confirmatory factor analysis of convergent construct validity

Area of Science:

• Social Work Education
• Psychometrics
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Accurate measurement of social work students' beliefs about research is crucial for effective practice.
• The Gregory Research Beliefs Scale (GRBS) is designed to assess students' perceptions of research's value in social work.
• Establishing the validity of assessment tools is essential for reliable educational evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To preliminarily determine the convergent validity of the Gregory Research Beliefs Scale (GRBS).
• To assess if the GRBS aligns with existing measures of evidence-based practice attitudes.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed.
• The GRBS was compared against the Evidence-Based Practice Process Assessment Scale (EBPPAS) Attitude subscale.
• Statistical analyses examined scale and latent variable correlations.

Main Results:

• Convergent validity of the GRBS was preliminarily supported by the analyses.
• Observed and latent variable correlations aligned with theoretical expectations.
• Statistical indicators, including a significant X² difference, supported the convergent validity.

Conclusions:

• The GRBS demonstrates preliminary convergent validity, suggesting it can reliably measure social work students' beliefs about research.
• This finding supports the integration of the GRBS into social work education.
• Further research can build upon these findings to enhance evidence-based practice education in social work, aligning with CSWE standards.