Development and Validation of the Evidence-Based Practice Process Assessment Scale: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

Objective: This report describes the development and preliminary findings regarding the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of a scale that has been developed to assess practitioners’ perceived familiarity with, attitudes about, and implementation of the phases of the evidence-based practice (EBP) process. Method: After a panel of national experts on EBP supported the scale’s content validity, social workers were surveyed by mail in Texas and Missouri to assess the scale’s internal consistency reliability and criterion validity. Additional data on the scale’s criterion validity and sensitivity were gathered in pretests and posttests of social workers participating in EBP continuing education workshops in Austin and San Antonio, Texas. Results: Preliminary findings support the scale’s internal consistency reliability, criterion validity, and sensitivity. Conclusion: In light of the current need and requests for this scale, dissemination of the preliminary findings is warranted while awaiting data collection at additional sites. These findings support the use of the scale to evaluate current efforts to educate students and practitioners in EBP.