An evidence-based approach to measuring affective domain development

Stephens, M; Ormandy, P

Abstract

Background: Educational taxonomies are utilised within nursing programmes to design curriculum, develop
learning objectives, and measure attainments including the assessment of values, behaviours, and attitudes.
Current measurement of the affective domain is limited, relying on quantitative tools, often immediately before
and after learning activities.


Purpose: This paper examines the reliability of a qualitative framework to assess the long-term impact of
learning activities known to stimulate affective domain development.


Method: Epstein's (1977) qualitative framework was applied to the self-reported responses of twelve international nurses (20–24 months post nurse registration) who had engaged in learning activities during their preregistration programme that were considered to be enrichment (international placement, interprofessional
learning, simulation and blended learning).


Results: Epstein's framework was used to measure the degree of affective domain development from the self reported responses of the students. The degree of modification in affective domain development was assessed as identification level (assuming a different attitude or behaviour) for four nurses and internalisation stage for eight nurses (embracing new values and attitudes).


Conclusion: Epstein's framework is a reliable tool that can capture the short and long-term modification in affective domain development of nurses after they have experienced transformational learning activities. Key
elements that move a nurse from identification to internalisation level are the motivating reason for undertaking the activity and reflection on the learning.

Citation

Stephens, M., & Ormandy, P. (2019). An evidence-based approach to measuring affective domain development. Journal of Professional Nursing, 35(3), 216-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2018.12.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 22, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Dec 30, 2018
• Publication Date: May 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Mar 14, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 30, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Professional Nursing
• Print ISSN: 8755-7223
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 216-223
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2018.12.004
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2018.12.004
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-professional-nursing
• Additional Information: Projects : VC Scholarship