Nursing intervention studies require outcome measures that are sensitive to change: Part Two

Abstract

Ohis article is the second and concluding part of a discussion of the importance of sensitivity to change in selecting an outcome measure for a study evaluating a nursing intervention. In Part One of the discussion, (Stewart & Archbold, 1992) the relative lack of attention to measurement sensitivity in the nursing and measurement literature was described. Three factors to consider in selecting an outcome measure for an intervention study were reviewed: the conceptual link between the intervention and the outcome variable, the extent to which the outcome variable is amenable to change, and content validity. In Part Two, four additional factors are discussed: construct validity, distribution of scores on the outcome measure, reliability, and correlational stability over time.