Feedback Survey for an Online Learning Module: Developing and Validating a Scale to Measure Nursing Students' Self-Assessed Knowledge and Perceptions of Older People and Confidence in Working With Them.

PURPOSE

To determine if an online learning module on older people's care improved nursing students' self-assessed knowledge, and perceptions of older people, we developed a brief Feedback Survey. The aim of this study was to examine the internal consistency (a type of reliability) and construct validity of the feedback survey.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Secondary analysis of data from the Awakening Canadian's to Ageism and McCalla e-learning intervention studies for postsecondary nursing students. Factor analysis and reliability analysis (via standardised Cronbach's alpha) were performed on the four-question, five-point Likert-type Feedback Survey, which was included in both intervention studies.

RESULTS

Factor analysis yielded one factor interpretable as general satisfaction in students' experience with the module and perceived benefits of having completed it. Standardised Cronbach's alpha for this scale was high at 0.92, which suggests excellent internal consistency.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The feedback survey is a convenient and time-efficient measure to examine student nurses' self-assessed improvements in knowledge, perceptions about older people. The survey has potential for adaptation to measure perceived outcomes of other nursing student- focused education.