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A Psychometric Toolbox for Testing Validity and Reliability
Author(s) -
DeVon Holli A.,
Block Michelle E.,
MoyleWright Patricia,
Ernst Diane M.,
Hayden Susan J.,
Lazzara Deborah J.,
Savoy Suzanne M.,
KostasPolston Elizabeth
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 1527-6546
DOI - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00161.x
Subject(s) - psycinfo , cinahl , reliability (semiconductor) , psychometrics , construct validity , content validity , medline , criterion validity , psychology , clinical psychology , psychometric testing , validity , applied psychology , cronbach's alpha , medicine , psychiatry , psychological intervention , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , political science , law
Purpose: To review the concepts of reliability and validity, provide examples of how the concepts have been used in nursing research, provide guidance for improving the psychometric soundness of instruments, and report suggestions from editors of nursing journals for incorporating psychometric data into manuscripts.Methods: CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases were searched using key words: validity, reliability, and psychometrics. Nursing research articles were eligible for inclusion if they were published in the last 5 years, quantitative methods were used, and statistical evidence of psychometric properties were reported. Reports of strong psychometric properties of instruments were identified as well as those with little supporting evidence of psychometric soundness.Findings: Reports frequently indicated content validity but sometimes the studies had fewer than five experts for review. Criterion validity was rarely reported and errors in the measurement of the criterion were identified. Construct validity remains underreported. Most reports indicated internal consistency reliability (α) but few reports included reliability testing for stability. When retest reliability was asserted, time intervals and correlations were frequently not included.Conclusions: Planning for psychometric testing through design and reducing nonrandom error in measurement will add to the reliability and validity of instruments and increase the strength of study findings. Underreporting of validity might occur because of small sample size, poor design, or lack of resources. Lack of information on psychometric properties and misapplication of psychometric testing is common in the literature.