title: Psychometric Development of the Research and Knowledge Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many research participants are misinformed about research terms, procedures, and goals; however, no validated instruments exist to assess individual's comprehension of health-related research information. We propose research literacy as a concept that incorporates understanding about the purpose and nature of research.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We developed the Research and Knowledge Scale (RaKS) to measure research literacy in a culturally, literacy-sensitive manner. We describe its development and psychometric properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative methods were used to assess perspectives of research participants and researchers. Literature and informed consent reviews were conducted to develop initial items. These data were used to develop initial domains and items of the RaKS, and expert panel reviews and cognitive pretesting were done to refine the scale. We conducted psychometric analyses to evaluate the scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional survey was administered to a purposive community-based sample (n=430) using a Web-based data collection system and paper.
  
  
  METHODS
  We did classic theory testing on individual items and assessed test-retest reliability and Kuder-Richardson-20 for internal consistency. We conducted exploratory factor analysis and analysis of variance to assess differences in mean research literacy scores in sociodemographic subgroups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RaKS is comprised of 16 items, with a Kuder-Richardson-20 estimate of 0.81 and test-retest reliability 0.84. There were differences in mean scale scores by race/ethnicity, age, education, income, and health literacy (all P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of the RaKS. This scale can be used to measure research participants' understanding about health-related research processes and identify areas to improve informed decision-making about research participation.
authors: Departments of *Quantitative Health Sciences and of Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Preventive Medicine †Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School ‡Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.
authors: Lauren R
authors: LR
authors: Powell
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Ojukwu
authors: Sharina D
authors: SD
authors: Person
authors: Jeroan
authors: J
authors: Allison
authors: Milagros C
authors: MC
authors: Rosal
authors: Stephenie C
authors: SC
authors: Lemon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012106:Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000523:psychology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult