Construction and Validation of the Clinical Judgment Skill Inventory: Clinical Judgment Skill Competencies That Measure Counselor Debiasing Techniques

Abstract

Purpose:To construct and validate a new self-report instrument, the Clinical Judgment Skill Inventory (CJSI), inclusive of clinical judgment skill competencies that address counselor biases and evidence-based strategies.Method:An Internet-based survey design was used and an exploratory factor analysis was performed on a sample of rehabilitation counselor educators’ (n= 126) ratings of clinical judgment skill importance for effective rehabilitation counseling practice.Results:New knowledge of 7 empirically supported clinical judgment skill areas of debiasing techniques (scientific attitude, cultural bias, cognitive complexity, memory bias, confirmatory bias, negative bias, and evidence-based practice) was generated.Conclusion:The 35-item CJSI has initial empirical evidence to support its reliability and validity and to assess clinical judgment skill competencies (debiasing techniques) of master’s students in rehabilitation counseling programs. However, follow-up studies and use of confirmatory factor analysis are needed to further test and substantiate the CJSI’s content and construct validity.