Academic midwifery scale in clinical settings: a validity and reliability study conducted with midwifery students in Turkey

Aim: This research was carried out with the aim of testing the Turkish validity and reliability of the measurement tool called 'Academic Midwifery in Clinical Environments Scale', which evaluates academic midwifery in clinical settings. Materials and Methods: This methodological study was conducted between March and April 2023 on midwifery students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences of two public universities. The Turkish adaptation study of the Academic Midwifery Scale in Clinical Environments was carried out in three stages: language validity, content validity and pilot application. Then, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to ensure construct validity, and Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency coefficient, item-total correlation, and split-half method were used to test reliability. Results: As a result of the EFA conducted for the validity of the scale consisting of 10 items used in the study, it was determined that there were no items with a factor loading below 0.30. The CFA analysis supported the determined single-factor structure of the Academic Midwifery Scale in Clinical Environments and it was determined that the fit indices were at a sufficient level. A scale consisting of 10 items and a single sub-dimension was obtained. Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency coefficient was determined as 0.974. In addition, the item-total correlation of the scale had a high value. Conclusion: As a result, a valid and reliable measurement tool was obtained that measures academic midwifery in clinical settings in Turkish culture. Keywords: Academic midwifery, Clinical evaluation, Validity and reliability