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.