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. 2025 May 6;25(1):656.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07269-6.

Psychometric properties of the educational leadership scale for nursing students

Amir Jalali  1 , Ebrahim Ezzati  2 , Fatemeh Hadadian  3 , Shamsodin Rahmani  4 , Amirhossein Naghibzadeh  5 , Khalil Moradi  6
Affiliations

Psychometric properties of the educational leadership scale for nursing students

Amir Jalali et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Background: Educational leadership plays a crucial role in the development of nursing students, significantly enhancing their clinical skills and preparing them to lead advancements in healthcare. This comprehensive educational approach ensures that nursing students are well-equipped to address contemporary healthcare challenges effectively.

Aim: This study aimed to translate the Educational Leadership Scale for Nursing Students into Persian and evaluate its psychometric properties among Iranian nursing students.

Methods: This cross-sectional methodological study was conducted in two phases: translation and cultural adaptation, followed by psychometric evaluation. After obtaining permission from the original scale developer, the scale was translated into Persian using the Pilot and Yang model. Face and content validity were assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Construct validity was evaluated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A convenience sample of 469 nursing students from nursing faculties in Kermanshah Province, Iran, completed the questionnaire. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in a subsample of 47 nursing students.

Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the three-factor structure of the Persian version of the instrument, with 19 items accounting for 63.80% of the total variance. The model fit was excellent, as shown by the CFI, GFI, TLI, RMSEA, and SRMR values. The scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach's alpha at 0.924 and McDonald's omega at 0.923. The ICC for the total score was 0.924 (95% CI: 0.910-0.936).

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that the Persian version of the Educational Leadership Scale for Nursing Students possesses acceptable psychometric properties. The results of face, content, and construct validity, along with reliability indices (including internal consistency and test-retest reliability), indicate that this instrument is an effective tool for evaluating educational leadership characteristics among Iranian nursing students. However, to further confirm the validity and reliability of this scale, future studies with larger and more diverse samples of nursing students, including those in clinical settings, are recommended. Furthermore, examining the criterion validity and discriminant validity of this instrument could contribute to a better understanding of its psychometric characteristics.

Keywords: Educational leadership; Nursing student; Psychometric properties; Reliability; Validity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This research study received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (Ethics code: IR.KUMS.REC.1402.257). Written permission was obtained from the scale's developers for its use. All participants provided written informed consent before participation. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. All research procedures adhered to relevant guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Final measurement model of the Persian version of the educational leadership scale for nursing students derived from confirmatory factor analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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