The development of an evaluation tool to measure nursing core curriculum teaching effectiveness: an exploratory factor analysis.
BACKGROUND
There have been few evidence-based assessments of nursing education core curricula. To conduct such assessments effectively, researchers need an objective professional tool that addresses the principal competencies of the nursing profession.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary assessment tool to improve teaching effectiveness in nursing core curricula.


METHODS
This study was divided into four stages: (a) initial questionnaire content proposal, (b) expert validation, (c) random sampling, and (d) item and exploratory factor analysis.


RESULTS
We used exploratory factor analysis to analyze three factors, namely (a) learning preparation, (b) advancement of competence, and (c) learning evaluation. These three factors explained, respectively, 43.1%, 12.9%, and 7.5% of total variance; the three together explained 63.5% of total variance. Overall questionnaire reliability was .904. All correlation coefficients displayed moderately positive relationships among subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment tool developed in this study showed reliability and validity in the evaluation of teaching outcomes for nursing core curricula.
Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei City, Taiwan. linda@ntunhs.edu.tw
Shu-Fang
SF
Chang
D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards*