Gregory Research Beliefs Scale: Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties

Abstract

GREGORY RESEARCH BELIEFS SCALE: FACTOR STRUCTURE AND PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES The study at hand involves developing the Gregory Research Beliefs Scale (GRBS) to reliably and validly measure social work students’ beliefs about the function of research in social work practice. Research has considerable actual and potential benefits for practice. Social work students’ beliefs about this construct are vital. A description of the advantages of using research to inform practice is given. Additionally, the Council on Social Work Education and National Association of Social Workers’ policies that mandate the merger of research and practice are also provided to further justify the need for adequate psychometric evaluation of the construct. Details of the literature search strategy are described and critical evaluations of the empirical articles are conducted. Based on critical evaluations of instruments which have previously measured the same construct, a number of psychometric shortcomings are outlined to validate the need for further scale development of the construct. The present study’s objectives were to develop a scale which has an empirically and theoretically supported factor structure, acceptable coefficient alpha levels, empirically supported discriminant (divergent) validity, concurrent criterion validity, and known–groups criterion validity. Steps for developing the GRBS’s items, response format, sample, research design, and statistical tests are specified and conducted to determine the factor structure and psychometric properties. Finally, the strengths, limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.