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

Abstract

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.