Translation and validation of two evidence-based nursing practice instruments.

BACKGROUND: Using existing instruments when assessing nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice facilitates comparison of research findings and adds to nursing knowledge in a global context. AIM: The study aims to: (1) translate the Information Literacy for Evidence Based Nursing Practice(©) (ILNP(©)) questionnaire and the Evidence-based Practice Beliefs Scale(©) (EBP Beliefs Scale(©)), (2) assess their appropriateness for use in Iceland, and 3) estimate the psychometric properties of the translated EBP Beliefs Scale [Icelandic-EBP Beliefs Scale (I-EBP Beliefs Scale)].
METHODS: The instruments were evaluated for appropriateness and relevancy before translation, and the ILNP(©) was modified to fit the Icelandic context. Translation followed recommended approaches, including back-translation. Pilot testing of both instruments ensued. A random sample of 540 nurses answered and returned the questionnaires. Reliability and validity of the I-EBP Beliefs Scale were tested on 471 complete I-EBP Beliefs Scale. Data were collected in 2007.
RESULTS: The translated instruments demonstrated clarity and conciseness; however, the ILNP(©) needed to be further modified. For the I-EBP Beliefs Scale, Cronbach's α was 0.86 and Spearman-Brown r was 0.87. Principal components analysis supported the I-EBP Beliefs Scale's construct validity and unidimensional structure. Criterion validity was established by known-groups comparison (t-tests and one-way analyses of variance).
CONCLUSIONS: The ILNP(©) and the EBP Beliefs Scale(©) can be used in contexts other than those for which they were developed. The I-EBP Scale is a psychometrically sound instrument and its performance supports the validity of the original scale. The instruments can be used to gather valuable information about nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice.