Modified Research Utilization Questionnaire (M-RUQ): development and validation study amongst Italian nurses

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop the modified research utilization questionnaire (M-RUQ), and to establish its content and face validity, construct validity and reliability. Methods This study has a multi-phase (three phases), methodological and cross-sectional design. Firstly, RUQ was translated into Italian, which is the target language to develop the M-RUQ. Secondly, the RUQ psychometric proprieties were assessed using exploratory factorial analysis to identify ambiguous or problematic items (e.g., cross-loadings) (cross-sectional sampling A). The RUQ modification (i.e. items deleting, wording modification, scoring procedure) represented the development of the M-RUQ amongst Italian nurses. The third phase was aimed to confirm the construct validity of the M-RUQ, and to test its stability internal consistency (cross-sectional sampling B). Results This study findings show that M–RUQ has a three–dimensional structure and a total of 22 items. M–RUQ shows evidence of validity and reliability. Precisely, the factorial structure coming from an exploratory factorial analysis on the first sample (n=504) was confirmed by a final model of confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) on a second sample (n=362). The final CFA model showed adequate goodness of fit, where all the factor loadings showed values higher than .40. Cronbach’s α was satisfactory for each domain and for the overall scale. Further, M-RUQ showed good stability described by the test-retest. Conclusion M–RUQ should be used to assess research utilization amongst nurses for educational or research purposes to address the practice. Further research about its validity and reliability is suggested.