Cross-cultural adaptation of the Knowledge of Research Evidence Competencies questionnaire in French

Abstract

Background: The Knowledge of Research Evidence Competencies questionnaire (K-REC) stands out as one of the only quick, easy to administer, valid and reliable tests to measure respondents’ actual evidence-based practice (EBP) knowledge. Such reliable and valid tools to assess actual EBP knowledge do not exist in French. Objective: The purpose of this study is to translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the K-REC questionnaire to assess EBP knowledge in French languages. Methods: A committee of experts followed the five-step adaptation and validation process recommended in the guidelines to translate the K-REC from English to French. A preliminary psychometric test was conducted among 21 French physiotherapists (PT). Results: The respondents rated the instrument as being very clear (99% of the ratings). Members of the expert panel were in perfect agreement (Cohen’s kappa inter-rater coefficient equal to 1) in judging the instrument to be content valid (S-CVI/Ave = 1.00). Conclusion: The K-REC has been successfully adapted and validated in French. Pilot testing provided a preliminary description of internal reliability estimates and respondents’ scores. More complete descriptions of EBP among French health professions will be possible with this new instrument and contribute to the refinement of EBP training programs.