Table 3 Results of construct validity against a series of theoretical constructs

1. EBP knowledge is more easily affected than other other aspects of EBP

Mean item score in “knowledge” > other domains

Knowledge: 5.91

Behaviour: 2.24

Outcome/Decision : 4.18

Attitude: 4.96

2. “Outcome/Decision” is correlated to other 3 domains

Correlation coefficients between “outcome” and “knowledge”/“application”/“attitude” > other correlation coefficients.

r_{outcome-knowledge=0.54}*, r_{outcome-behaviour=0.40}*, r_{outcome-attitude=0.57}*;

r_{attitude-knowledge=0.41}*, r_{knowledge-application=0.33}*, r_{application-attitude=0.26}*;

3. MEBP subscale scores are correlated with corresponding EBP activities

Correlation coefficients between “application” and 3 external questions evaluating EBP application > other correlation coefficients.

r_{application-Q1=0.32}*, r_{knowledge-Q1=0.19}*, r_{outcome-Q1=0.28}*; r_{attitude-Q1=0.19}*;

r_{application-Q2=0.41}*, r_{knowledge-Q2=0.24}*, r_{outcome-Q2=0.30}*; r_{attitude-Q2=0.19}*;

r_{application-Q3=0.35}*, r_{knowledge-Q3=0.24}*, r_{outcome-Q3=0.26}*; r_{attitude-Q3=0.16}*;

4. Demographic variables would be associated with total MEBP scale score

Age, highest education level, possession of advanced clinical training are significant factors are associated with in multivariate modeling

Adjusted β coefficients of following variable:

Age: β = −0.32

Higher education level (ref: diploma/BA): β =4.63*

Years of clinical training (ref: less than 2 years): β =2.36*

Advanced clinical training (ref: No): β =4.37*

Practice setting (ref: urban): β =1.87*