Tools and Instruments

The NLN is pleased to share four tools and instruments for use in nursing education.

Description of Available Instruments

 
Educational Practices Questionnaire-Curriculum (EPQ-C)

Educational Practices Questionnaire-Curriculum (EPQ-C) is a 22-item instrument using a five-point scale and designed to measure 1) whether learners agree or disagree that the seven educational practices (student-faculty interaction, collaborative learning, active learning, feedback, time on task, high expectations, and diverse learning) are present in instructor-developed educational experiences; and 2) the importance of each of the seven educational practices to the learner in the educational experience. The educational practices were derived from the work of Chickering and Gamson (1987).

 

Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha. Presence of specific practices = 0.94; importance of specific practices = 0.87. The EPQ-C has a content validity index (CVI) of .90 and aligns with the seven principles of best practices in undergraduate education (Chickering and Gamson, 1987).

 

The Simulation Design Scale (Student Version)

The Simulation Design Scale (student version), a 20-item instrument using a five-point scale, was designed to evaluate the five design features of the instructor-developed simulations used in the NLN/Laerdal study. The five design features include: 1) objectives/information; 2) support; 3) problem solving; 4) feedback; 5) fidelity. The instrument has two parts: one asks about the presence of specific features in the simulation, the other asks about the importance of those features to the learner.

Content validity was established by ten content experts in simulation development and testing. The instrument's reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha, which was found to be 0.92 for presence of features, and 0.96 for the importance of features.

Educational Practices Questionnaire (Student Version) for use in simulation

Educational Practices Questionnaire (student version), a 16-item instrument using a five-point scale, was designed to measure whether four educational practices (active learning, collaboration, diverse ways of learning, and high expectations) are present in the instructor-developed simulation, and the importance of each practice to the learner.

The educational practices were derived from the work of Chickering and Gamson (1987). Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha. Presence of specific practices = 0.86; importance of specific practices = 0.91

Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning

Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning, a 13-item instrument designed to measure student satisfaction (five items) with the simulation activity and self-confidence in learning (eight items) using a five-point scale. Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha: satisfaction = 0.94; self-confidence = 0.87

View Copyright and Permissions information for these instruments

For questions about the use of these instruments, please contact copyrightpermission@nln.org   

Please note: The Simulation Design Scale, Educational Practices Questionnaire, and Student Satisfaction and Self Confidence in Learning Scale were all developed as part of the 2003 NLN/Laerdal simulation research study. These instruments are all student self-reports of their perceptions and reactions to the simulation. Since that time, many other instruments have been developed that more objectively evaluate learners in simulation-based experiences. With the growing body of research in simulation, it is clear that student reactions and self-confidence are concepts that have been well studied. Use of these instruments at this time should be limited to use within simulation programs that are just being established.

  • Download the NLN/Laerdal Project Summary Report (PDF)
  • The two citations below provide information that can assist you in examining other simulation evaluation tools.
    • Kardong-Edgren, S., Adamson, K., Fitzgerald, C. (2010).  A Review of Currently Published Evaluation Instruments for Human Patient Simulation. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 6(1), e25-e35.
    • Adamson, K.A., Kardong-Edgren, S., & Willhaus, J. (2013). An Updated Review of Published Simulation Evaluation Instruments. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 9(9), e393-e400.