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Despite the increasing interest in and need for developing empirical and diagnostic assessment schemes in L2 assessment and testing, very little research has been devoted to it. The literature in this area is scant, and only a handful of studies (e.g., Fulcher, 1993; Knoch, 2009; North & Schneider, 1998; Upshur & Turner, 1995) have attempted to explore such possibility. In response to this need for research, this two-phase study developed and validated empirically-derived diagnostic descriptors for use in small-scale classroom assessment in English as a second language (ESL) academic writing. In Phase 1, descriptors that are relevant to the construct of ESL academic writing were developed, and in Phase 2, the use of the descriptors was validated through the multiple analyses. The results indicated that 35 empirically-derived descriptors addressed all aspects of ESL writing skills, including content fulfillment, organizational effectiveness, grammatical knowledge, vocabulary use, and mechanics. In addition, teachers were able to use the descriptors in a consistent manner. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of an empirical approach to assessment scheme development, and underscore the importance of its use for diagnostic purposes.

Purpose: Although firefighters are likely to experience various types of personal growth followingtraumatic events, there has been a lack of reliable measurements to assess their positive changes. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a post-traumatic growth (PTG) scale considering theunique occupational characteristics of firefighters as first responders. Methods: This is a methodological study to develop and validate the PTG of first responders scale forfirefighters (PTG-FIRSF). An item pool was generated after an extensive literature review including PTGtheory, and individual interviews. Content, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, convergent,and discriminant validity, criterion validity, and known-group validity were conducted for the validitytest. The scale was also evaluated for its internal consistency. Results: A four-factor structure was found with an eigenvalue >1, explaining 76.6% of the total variance. The final version of the PTG-FIRSF consisted of four factors with 21 items on a 6-point Likert scale:redefining of life's meaning (6 items), discovery of meaningful work (5 items), deepened interpersonalrelationships (5 items), and growth in self-perception (5 items). The convergent validity and discriminantvalidity were established, and the criterion validity was confirmed by significant correlationsbetween the PTG inventory-extended and PTG-FIRSF. Regarding known-group validity, the scores of“moderate and high level of PTG group” and “low level of PTG group” were significantly different in alldomains. The reliability of the scale, measured by Cronbach α was .96. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the PTG-FIRSF could be a valid, reliable, and user-friendlymeasurement to evaluate the PTG of firefighters. The PTG-FIRSF can be useful for developing variousPTG programs and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.

Purpose: This study had two objectives: 1) to develop a scale for the process of exercise engagement (SPEE) for prediabetic individuals (PDIs); 2) to validate a structural model for the process of exercise engagement for PDIs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with simple random sampling was conducted from September 2013 to December 2015 (in Taiwan). A total of 310 PDIs were enrolled for scale development and model validation via item analysis, factor analyses, and structural equation modeling. The Kuo model was used as the basis for developing the Chinese version of the SPEE for PDIs. Results: The SPEE contains five subscales with a total of twenty-one items that account for 54.9% to 65.9% of the total variance explained for assessing participants' process of engagement during exercise. For Kuo model validation, the model measures indicated goodness of fit between the Kuo model and sample data. Analysis further revealed a direct effect between the creating health blueprints (CHB) stage and the spontaneous regular exercise (SRE) stage (β=.60). Conclusion: The SPEE includes five subscales for assessing the psychological transition and behavioral expression at each stage of the process of exercise engagement for PDIs. The SPEE for people with prediabetes provides deeper insights into the factors of behavioral change stages that are required to initiate long-term health care outcomes and avoid developing diabetes. These insights are significant as they allow for patient-specific mapping and behavior modification to effect exercise.

Objective To develop and validate a scale to assess people’s attitudes and perspectives toward persons with disabilities. Methods The three-stage development of the scale included a preliminary version drafted from the literature review and a nominal group process. Thereafter, the draft was examined further and revised through two rounds of Delphi survey by 16 disability experts. Lastly, the psychometric properties of the scale were assessed through an online survey of 1,359 employees at three university hospitals. Results A 32-item scale, defined after two Delphi surveys, was refined into 14 items with four subcategories: community integration, discomfort, charitability, and sense of burdening. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.839 and domain reliability from 0.638 to 0.845. Recent education on disabilities yielded more positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Meaningful acquaintances with disabilities yielded more positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Conclusion This newly developed scale that measures attitudes toward persons with disability is reliable and valid. A future use of the scale could be to measure attitudinal improvements toward persons with disabilities after awareness education.

Purpose This study aimed at developing a happiness assessment scale for middle-aged women (HAS-MW) in Korea. Methods Preliminary items for the scale were drafted from the results of literature review and personal interviews and open-ended questions with women in the community. The interviews were based on the theory of existence, relatedness, and growth. After validating a preliminary scale, we analyzed the validity and reliability of the new scale items, and model fit. We surveyed 600 women aged 40 years to 64 years for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Valid data were divided into 352 for EFA and 174 for CFA by multiplies of number 1 to 3. Results Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we extracted four primary factors?self-value, positive thinking, self-care, and family relationship?and with a total of 24 items for HAS-MW. The fit of the final model was evaluated as good showing χ2/df = 2.10, goodness of fit index = .80, comparative fit index = .85, root mean square error of approximation = .08, standardized root mean residual = .05. The HAS-MW had a significant positive correlation with the Oxford Happiness scale and showed a significant negative correlation with the Hwa-Byeong Scale. Cronbach's α for the new scale was .91, and the Spearman-Brown half coefficient was .93. The new scale used a five-point Likert scale with higher scores indicating greater happiness. Conclusion The HAS-MW is a reliable and valid one. It can be used to measure the level of happiness for middle-aged women. In addition, it might be applied to find low women and to evaluate the effect of intervention program related to happiness in woman of middle age.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) add relevant contemporary items to develop an assessment instrument for the self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers, to verify and evaluate the validity and reliability of the instrument, and (2) investigate the self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers. Method: A cross-sectional study was designed. A total of 205 clinical nursing teachers were recruited in Taiwan. Data were collected using the Clinical Nursing Teacher Self-efficacy Scale. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to examine the scale. Results: The degree of self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers was moderate to high. The 35-item scale showed great psychometric qualities. The Cronbach coefficient of the overall scale was 0.92; and 0.83, 0.91, 0.93, and 0.87 on the four subscales were acceptable. Four factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis and explained 68.53% of the total variance. Four factors were (i) teachers' professional growth ability, (ii) teaching ability, (iii) clinical nursing competencies, and (iv) personality traits. The highest self-efficacy category evaluated by teachers was personality traits; the second was clinical nursing competencies; after that, teaching ability and teachers’ professional growth ability. The item with the lowest self-efficacy was foreign language ability (English). Conclusion: Clinical nursing teachers have a moderate to high degree of self-efficacy. This scale with good reliability and validity can be used for the training and evaluation of the self-efficacy of clinical nursing teachers.

Purpose End-of-life caregiving experiences can be complex. Family members experience physical and mental suffering as they anticipate their impending loss. Healthcare providers should be able to provide good quality of end-of-life (EOL) care and support for primary EOL caregivers. Studies have highlighted the role of healthcare providers providing information in the EOL situation to caregivers of chronic disease patients. This has resulted in the development of the End-of-life Caregiving Experience Appraisal Scale (EOLCAS) presented in this paper. The purposes of this study were to develop a scale that can evaluate the experiences of EOL caregivers, and to test the reliability and validity of this scale. Methods The scale domains were derived from systematic review of 35 relevant studies. We then examined its content validity with nurse scholars and clinicians using content validity index. To examine construct validity, a total of 175 caregivers from tertiary hospital setting in Korea participated in this study from December 2007 to May 2008. For the construct validity, factor analysis was utilized. Results The scale was composed of 32 items with four subscales: two negative appraisals (physical suffering and burden), one positive appraisal (maturation), and one neutral appraisal (social support pursuit). In this sample, the Cronbach’s alpha for the entire scale was .84 indicating adequate reliability. However,Cronbach’s alpha of subscales was varied. Conclusion Nurses and other healthcare professionals could use the EOLCAS to assess the experiences of EOL caregivers to understand their experience in the EOL and enhance their quality of life although psychometrics of EOLCAS shows limited findings. [Asian Nursing Research 2010;4(1):1?9]

Purpose: This study developed a resilience scale for kidney transplantation (RS-KTPL) and assessed its reliability and validity. Methods: During the tool development phase, the concept of resilience in 10 patients who had undergone a kidney transplant was analyzed by integrating results from the theoretical and field research stages. Initial tool items were then derived. These items underwent content validity verification, item review, and a preliminary survey. The validation phase involved two main surveys, conducted using the preliminary 59 items derived from the development phase for data gathering. The first survey had 266 participants, and the second had 205 participants. Using the collected data, the structural validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion validity, and reliability of the tool items were verified, ultimately establishing the final items. Results: The RS-KTPL comprises six factors with 27 items confirmed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a 4-point Likert scale: positive thought transition through recovery belief, supportive relationships with others, self-awareness of negative psychological reactions, physical health control, homeostasis control, and supportive relationships with medical staff. The cumulative explanation of the tool was 50.71%. The model fit of the RS-KTPL was represented as follows: GFI 0.88, CFI 0.93, TLI 0.91, RMSEA 0.04, and SRMRI 0.06. Convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity were also secured. The reliability of the tool, measured by Cronbach α was 0.87. Conclusions: The RS-KTPL can be used to identify the level of resilience in patients who have undergone a kidney transplant, enabling them to recognize their strengths and areas of improvement for enhanced resilience. This tool can be applied in clinical nursing practices to comprehensively assess the resilience of patients with a kidney transplant, providing direction for nursing intervention plans to enhance patient resilience.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop an interprofessional collaboration (IPC) scale for home health care for frail elderly. Methods The first items of the IPC scale included collaboration members' attitudes, awareness, motivation, team strength, communication, relationships, information, care recipients' interests, effects, development, utilization of social resources, contributions to the community, and crisis management. The subjects were 512 care managers who work in home care support offices across Japan. They manage interprofessional collaboration in home health care for frail elderly who need care at 65 years old and above. The scale's construct validity, internal consistency, the validity of known groups, concurrent validity, and test-retest reliability (193 subjects) were examined. Results The final IPC scale's items consisted of four factors (37 items): the strength of interprofessional teams (16), the management of collaborative systems (7), effects of collaboration (8), and communication (6). Four factors explained 58.6% of the total explained variance. The modified model fit of the scale achieved acceptable levels. The Cronbach's α coefficient for all items was .97. The sum of communication factor in the cities/wards group was lower than those in the towns/villages group. There were differences between the sum and each factor with different levels of ease to collaborate. The intraclass correlation coefficient for all items in the first and second assessments was .875. Conclusions The validity and reliability of the IPC scale have been verified. This scale can be used to assess the IPC for home health care for frail elderly.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a pediatric fall risk assessment scale and examine its validity and reliability. Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. First, we developed a preliminary fall risk assessment scale based on a literature review and an evaluation by 10 expert panels. Second, we tested the validity and reliability of the scale through in a retrospective case-control study. The dataset included 102 reported falls and 306 non-falls in one hospital over approximately 9 years (2005~2014). We performed a conditional logistic regression analysis to determine significance and predictability and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to test the validity of the scale’s final version. Results: The pediatric fall risk assessment scale included five factors: age, level of consciousness, gait ability, medication, and use of equipment. The area under the curve of the ROC was .75 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: .70~.80; p<.001) at the time of hospital admission and .76 (95% CI: .70~81; p<.001) within 24 hours of a fall. The scale had high inter-rater reliability, with kappa values ranging from 0.89 to 1.00. Conclusion: We developed a fall risk assessment scale with high reliability and validity through a systematic process by accurately predicting the risk of falls among pediatric inpatients to reduce fall incidence rates.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a self-control competency scale for school-aged children and to confirm its reliability and validity. Methods: This study involved methodological research to verify the reliability and validity of a self-control competency scale for school-aged children. Data were collected from 438 students in the fifth and sixth grades of elementary school. Results: The self-control competency scale was composed of 13 items and six subscales (control of relationship with one's teacher, problem-solving, peer empathy, control of relationships with one's peers, impulse control, and emotional control). The internal consistency reliability of the scale was evaluated using Cronbach's ?, which was .83 for the entire scale and ranged from .65 to .76 for the subscales. The model of six subscales was validated by CFA (CMIN/df=1.977; p<.001, GFI=.94, SRMR=.050, RMSEA=.065, IFI=.95, TLI=.93, CFI=.95). Concurrent validity was evaluated by comparing this scale to the scale developed by Nam and Ok (2000), and a significant correlation was found (r=.82, p<.001). On this scale, higher scores indicate higher levels of self-control among late-school-aged children. Conclusion: This scale can be used as a valid and reliable instrument for examining self-control competency among late-school-aged children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure person-centered perioperative nursing (PCPON) and validate its psychometric properties. Methods: The preliminary items of the PCPON scale were developed through a literature review, indepth interviews, and content validity analysis. A total of 459 nurses working in the operating rooms of 21 hospitals in Korea responded to the questionnaire from September to October 2017. The collected data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmative factor analysis (CFA) using SPSS and AMOS programs. Results: The final PCPON scale consists of 20 items. Through EFA, five factors, compassionate interaction, respect, providing comfort, information sharing, and nursing expertise, were derived. The internal consistency of each factor of the PCPON scale, as represented by Cronbach a, was .76e.88. The model fit of the scale was satisfactory, and the items of the scale demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion: The evaluation of the new PCPON scale indicated good reliability and validity. The PCPON scale is easy to administer and implies factors of person-centered care. This scale can be used to assess the person-centered care in the perioperative nursing field.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a short-form measurement scale specifically designed to evaluate the core competencies of nursing care for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with a particular focus on the administration of anticancer agents. Methods: Data were collected from November 6 to November 29, 2023, with a total of 192 oncology nurses participating. Data were collected using an online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability and validity with the SPSS/WIN statistic version 25.0 and Amos version 26.0 program. Results: Statistical validation and expert validation were conducted to finalize the three-factor (chemotherapy administration, education and management of chemotherapy-related adverse events, assessment and regimen verification), 23-item instrument. These three factors collectively explained 72.37% of the total variance. On the overall scale,Cronbach's α was .96. Conclusion: The short-form Core Competencies Scale of Nursing Care (CCSC) developed through this study is a measurement tool with proven reliability and validity and can be used for education and evaluation to improve the work of nurses involved in chemotherapy. By focusing on the essential competencies required for chemotherapy administration, the tool offers a practical, efficient, and reliable means of evaluating nursing performance in this critical area.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a Humanistic Practice Ability of Nursing (HPAN) scale adapted to China and validate its psychometric properties. Methods The original HPAN scale was revised through a literature review. Sixteen experts who met the inclusion criteria were consulted 2 rounds by the Delphi method. According to their suggestions and opinions, the structure, content, and semantics of each item of HPAN were modified, and a HPAN scale was preliminarily developed. The HPAN scale was validated through item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, convergent validity, and reliability. The data came from 406 first-class hospital nurses. Results A 5-dimension, 29-item HPAN scale demonstrated satisfactory fit with significant factor loadings. The split-half reliability coefficient of the scale was .98, the split-half reliability coefficient of each dimension was .86?.99, Cronbach's α coefficient was .96, and the Cronbach's α coefficient of each dimension was .87?.98. The model fit of the scale was good, and the items of the scale showed convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion The HPAN scale indicated that the reliability and validity were good. It is easy to imply factors of HPAN. This scale can be used to assess the HPAN.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a scale to measure nursing students' competence in managing violence from patients and relatives in the hospital where nursing students perform clinical practicum. Methods: Literature review and Delphi expert consultation were utilized to develop the content of the management of workplace violence competence scale (MWVCS). A convenience sample of 797 nursing students responded to the questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis of the scale was performed. Internal consistency and testeretest reliability were examined. Results: The MWVCS consisted of 40 items with a five-point scale. Seven factors explained 63.2% of the total explained variance. The content validity index for the scale was .99. Cronbach's a of the scale was .96, and testeretest correlations were found to be ≥ .76. Conclusion: The MWVCS is a reliable and valid scale for nursing educators to assess the level of students' competence in violence management and to evaluate the effectiveness of education to enhance their ability to manage workplace violence.

Purpose Many studies have maintained that nursing support is necessary and essential for mothers of preterm infants; however, the perceived nursing support for mothers of preterm infants has not been sufficiently measured. This study aimed to develop a perceived nursing support scale for mothers of preterm infants (PNSS-MP). Methods The preliminary items of the PNSS-MP were developed through a literature review and in-depth interviews with mothers of preterm infants. Content and face validities were assessed by experts and mothers of preterm infants. A pilot study was conducted to confirm the feasibility and comprehension of the scale. To validate the PNSS-MP, 223 mothers of preterm infants were surveyed. Exploratory factor analyses were performed to confirm construct validity. Convergent and discriminant validities were analyzed using a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) matrix. Reliability was tested by calculating Cronbach’s α and performing split-half testing. Results The PNSS-MP consisted of 27 items and was categorized into five factors, explaining 65.3% of the total variance. The factors were named: “baby care support” (7 items), “mental care support” (6 items), “maternal role support” (6 items), “introducing resources support” (4 items), and “information delivery support” (4 items). The overall reliability of the scale was .95. Conclusion The PNSS-MP adequately reflected the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in South Korea. Additionally, the PNSS-MP proved relatively valid and reliable; therefore, it can be used to measure nursing support in the NICU.

Purpose: This study aims to develop and test the psychometric properties of a scale for measuring the continuity of care specific tohome health care patients in the context of Korean long-term care insurance services. Methods: In phase 1, the initial item pool was created based on the concept analysis results using a literature review and in-depth interviews. Phase 2 evaluated the psychometric properties of the scale in the survey conducted in 2021 using a sample of 202 receiving longtermcare visiting nursing services. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to examine the construct validity. An internal consistencywas examined using Cronbach’s α. Known group validity and criterion validity were assessed. Results: The EFA suggested five factors: therapeutic relationship, coordination of care, service availability, customized care plan, andconsistency in service provision. The internal consistency reliability of the continuity of care scale was satisfactory (Cronbach’s α=.96). Known-group validity was established by comparing the continuity of care scores for high utilizers of home-visiting nursing servicesand low utilizers of home-visiting nursing services. Criterion validity was confirmed through the correlation between the developedscale and the performance of the visiting nurse service scale. Conclusion: The developed scale was found to be reliable and relatively valid for measuring the patient’s perceived continuity of carewithin the Korean long-term care visiting nursing system.

This study aimed to develop and validate a theory-informed, psychometrically robust measure to assess Hwa-Byung symp- toms, addressing limitations of earlier tools such as the Hwa-Byung Scale (HBS). Items were developed based on prior litera- ture and reviewed by Korean medicine neuropsychiatrists. A total of 300 Hwa-Byung patients and 93 controls completed the Hwa-Byung Symptom Scale (HBSS). Factor analysis, convergent validity testing, regression, and ROC analysis were con- ducted. The HBSS revealed two factors, namely, psychological and physical symptoms, with Cronbach’s α values of .90 and .82, respectively. Scores were significantly correlated with the HBS, Korean Version of the Beck Depression Inventory 2nd Edition, Korean Version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Korean Version of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, and Eogul scale. Regression analysis supported its diagnostic validity. The optimal cutoff score was 21 (sensitivity=.970, specific- ity=.925). The HBSS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the core symptoms of Hwa-Byung. It may be used cautiously as a screening instrument in both clinical and community settings, pending further validation.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and examine the validity and reliability of a self-efficacy scale for preventive health management related to premature labor (PHMSE-PL) for women of childbearing age. Methods: Instrument development and validation were undertaken in three steps: conceptualization through a literature review and in-depth interviews, item generation and evaluation of content validity, and evaluation of construct validity and reliability. The content validity, factorial structure validity, and internal consistency reliability of the PHMSE-PL were evaluated, and cognitive interviewing was undertaken. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach's ?, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The content validity was assessed by experts and was strengthened through cognitive interviews with women of childbearing age. The PHMSE-PL comprised 34 items across five factors. The construct validity of the PHMSE-PL was supported. Cronbach's ? for the total scale was .97 (95% CI=.96-.97). Conclusion: An evaluation of the psychometric properties of the PHMSE-PL scale found it to be a valid and reliable tool for women of childbearing age. The scale appears to be useful for women of childbearing age to self-assess their preventive health management self-efficacy related to premature labor and for health professionals to evaluate and promote women's preventive health management.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to develop a scale for measuring the perinatal bereavement care competence of midwives and assess its psychometric properties. Methods: The Perinatal Bereavement Care Competence Scale was developed in four phases. (1) Item generation: 75 items were formulated based on a literature review and interviews with midwives. (2) Delphi expert consultation: 15 experts evaluated whether the items were clear/appropriate/relevant to the questionnaire dimensions, and the items were optimized. (3) Pilot test: The comprehensibility, acceptability, and time required to complete the questionnaire by midwives were assessed. (4) Evaluation of reliability and validity: The scale was validated by initial item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and internal consistency reliability and testeretest reliability. Results: The final scale consisted of six dimensions and 25 items: maintaining belief (three items), knowing (four items), being with (six items), preserving dignity (four items), enabling (five items), and self-adjustment (three items). Exploratory factor analysis yielded a six-factor structure that was consistent with the theoretical framework and explained 70.8% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the six-factor model. Cronbach's a for the scale was 0.931, and the test eretest reliability coefficient was 0.968. Conclusion: The Perinatal Bereavement Care Competence Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the competence of midwives in caring for bereaved parents who have experienced perinatal loss.