Cultural validation of the competence in evidence‑based practice questionnaire (EBP‑COQ) for nursing students

Evidence‑based performance competence has a significant impact on the performance of care measures. The higher the qualifications of nurses, the more effective and desirable their performance. Evidence‑based practice demonstrates the competencies and abilities of nurses. There is a need for valid and reliable tools for evaluating and promoting evidence‑based competence in nursing students, and there are few tools in reviewing studies, but they have not considered the cultural dimension. The purpose of this study is to validate cultural competence in evidence‑based practice for nursing students.

A methodological and validation study was conducted in the School of Nursing and Midwifery of Kermanshah and Ilam University of Medical Sciences in 2018. The Evidence‑Based Performance Competency Questionnaire ( EBP‑COQ) is one of the most valid tools used in various studies by Ruzafa‑Martinez et al. Initially, the original version of the competence in evidence‑based practice questionnaire was translated into Persian after securing a permission from the designer of the tool. Totally 300 nursing students were selected through simple sampling method and entered into the study. The validity of the tool was evaluated using face validity and performing factor analysis. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and internal consistency. Statistical works were carried out in SPSS and AMOS.

To determine the content validity of the tool, comparative fit index of the statements was obtained equal to 0.88. Factor analysis of the items yielded acceptable and statistically significant results (P < 0.001). The reliability of the tool was determined using internal consistency method (Cronbach’s alpha) for the whole tool, which was equal to 0.7. The reliability of the questionnaire was investigated at two stages, and pretest/posttest correlation coefficients were obtained (P < 0.05).

The questionnaire had an acceptable validity and reliability. It can be used to evaluate evidence‑based practice. Among advantages of the tool is that it is easy to administer in health‑care fields.