Luppo Kuillman

Chapter 2 32 Study objective To test the reproducibility of this two-component factor structure, we performed another study based on a larger sample consisting of the particular group of Dutch PAs and NPs. The objectives of this study are as follows: a) evaluate how many factors of the MSQ should be retained for further factor analysis, and b) apply both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the dimensionality, scalability, and construct validity of the items remaining from the MSQ. Research Questions To meet the study objectives, the following research questions will be addressed: 1. Which items of the MSQ are unequivocally correlated with latent constructs when using the criteria of EFA after having determined howmany factors should be retained, andhowstrong is themodel fit, based on CFA? 2. Are the items of these components scalable? Anddo these scales have sufficient internal consistency (reliability)? 3. Do the retained scales confirm discriminant or convergent validity as hypothesizedwhen correlatedwith the following scales, which are known to tap moral aspects of the decision-making process: the Behavioral Control targeted at Preventing Harm (BCPH) scale, the Ethics Advocacy Scale (EAS), (iii) the Moral Disengagement Scale (MDS), and (iv) the Defining Issues Test (DIT-N2)? METHODS Study design, participants, and data collection In this cross-sectional study, five PA and one NP degree programs were selected as sources for approaching alumni. Based on the Dutch Personal Data Protection Act, the researchers were not granted permission to use the databases of the programs in order to retrieve alumni email addresses. The information letter concerning the current study was therefore sent to 470 NP alumni and to 426 PA alumni by the programs’ administrators. By activating a hyperlink to a private web-based system included in this letter, individual alumni were free to reveal their contact details to the researchers. When respondents returned permission to use their email addresses, this was regarded as informed consent. Upon receipt of their permission, these