Nomology, validity, and interprofessional research: The missing link(s)

ABSTRACT

There are many calls for increased rigor in interprofessional research, and scale validation improvements are particularly needed. Specifically, current validation efforts are limited, as few interprofessional scale development studies report evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. These are core aspects of establishing nomological networks and construct validity, and thus form the foundation of interprofessional theory, research, and practice. This paper focuses on the importance of construct validation for interprofessional measurement tools, reviewing key concepts, extant scales and their validation efforts, and providing recommendations for future interprofessional scale validation. We also provide a step-by-step guide for scale development and validation that we hope will be valuable for future researchers and scale developers in the interprofessional literature.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional research
• scale development
• scale validation
• construct validity
• nomological networks

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel S. Rauvola

Rachel S. Rauvola, M.S. is a doctoral candidate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Saint Louis University. Her research focuses on occupational health, and she currently holds a research assistantship with the Center for Interprofessional Education and Research in Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine.

Erick P. Briggs

Erick P. Briggs, M.S. is a doctoral student in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Saint Louis University. His research interests center around family relationships in the workplace and the implications those dynamics have on work-family outcomes.

Leslie J. Hinyard

Dr. Leslie J. Hinyard is the Director and Associate Professor of the Saint Louis University Center for Health Outcomes Research (SLUCOR). She has a PhD in Public Health Studies--Epidemiology from Saint Louis University.