Design and validation of instruments to measure knowledge

Background. Measuring health care providers' learning after they have parti cipated in educational interventions that use experimental designs requires valid, reliable, and practical instruments. Methods. A literature review w as conducted. In addition, experience gained from designing and validating instruments for measuring the effect of an educational intervention informe d this process. Results. The eight main steps for designing, validating, an d testing the reliability of instruments for measuring learning outcomes ar e presented. The key considerations and rationale for this process are disc ussed. Methods for critiquing and adapting existent instruments and creatin g new ones are offered. Conclusions. This study may help other investigator s in developing valid, reliable, and practical instruments for measuring th e outcomes of educational activities.