title: [Applications of generalizability theory to estimate the variance components in basic nursing technical tests].
abstract: The purpose of this study was to estimate the variance components in basic nursing technical tests by applying the generalizability theory. The 55 subjects in this study were selected at random from among second year nursing students enrolled at a 5-year junior college. A two-facet crossed design (i.e. p x i x r design) in the Generalizability Theory was used for this study, with students treated as the objects of measurement and items and raters treated as measurement facets. GENOVA software was used as the primary data analysis tool, followed by two additional steps, i.e., the G and D studies. G study findings were as follows: the examinee was the main source of variation was the examinee, with p x r representing a secondary source and the interaction of p x i x r representing a third. Nearly all variance (97.77%) was represented by these three factors. Another four sources of variation identified had only insignificant effect. The finding in the D study was that increasing rater numbers can promote reliability in basic nursing technical performance assessments. These findings are expected to provide a reference for teachers charged to develop or revise basic nursing technical tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tajen University, Taiwan, ROC. sjhong@mail.tajen.edu.tw
authors.forename: Shu-Jiun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans