Background: Nurses use of research findings is essential to the provision of quality patient care. As a result, a need to better understand how to implement research into nursing practice has emerged, triggering requirements for its measurement. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to provide an assessment of the state of measurement science underpinning research utilization in nursing. Methods: The thesis consisted of four inter-related studies: (1) a systematic review of the psychometric properties of instruments used to measure research utilization in healthcare, (2) a systematic review update of individual factors that are associated research utilization by nurses, (3) an item response theory assessment of the precision of a newly developed research utilization scale (the Conceptual Research Utilization Scale) when completed by unregulated nursing care providers in long-term care (nursing home) settings, and (4) a traditional psychometric assessment (reliability, validity, acceptability) using classical test score theory of the Conceptual Research Utilization Scale when completed by unregulated nursing care providers in long-term care settings. A unitary approach to validity was undertaken following the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (the Standards) whereby evidence is accumulated from four sources to build a construct validity argument: (1) content, (2) response processes, (3) internal structure, and (4) relations to other variables. Findings and Conclusions: Findings revealed that there is significant under development in the measurement of research utilization in nursing and that substantial methodological advances focusing on construct clarity, use of measurement theory, and conducting standard and advanced psychometric assessments is needed. Findings also suggest that: (1) adopting a unitary perspective of validity results in a substantially more comprehensive and accurate validity assessment compared to a traditional perspective of validity (which states that validity exists or not); (2) the Standards provides a useful framework for grouping instruments according to established validity sources, as well as for conducting and reporting findings from an instrument validation study; and, (3) item response theory is an appropriate method for evaluating precision of research utilization instruments, which can provide additional psychometric information that is not provided in traditional classical test score theory assessments.

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Optical spectroscopic techniques are critical for quantifying and characterizing diverse chemical compounds, from small molecules to macromolecules. Their versatility and cost-effectiveness have led to widespread use in fields such as medical diagnostics, industrial quality control, environmental monitoring, and chemical analysis. However, UV-vis spectrophotometry and fluorescence spectroscopy face significant challenges due to the complexity of light-matter interactions. These interactions often occur simultaneously and at overlapping wavelengths, complicating the accurate separation and quantification of absorption, scattering, and emission, particularly in complex samples. A fundamental issue with conventional UV-vis spectrophotometry is the interference from light scattering in turbid samples. Both scattering and absorption contribute to overall light extinction, and conventional instruments cannot quantitatively separate these two components. To address this, we developed an integrating-sphere-assisted resonance synchronous (ISARS) spectroscopy method using readily available spectrofluorometers equipped with integrating-sphere accessories. After calibration, this method can reliably decouple UV-vis extinction into its scattering and absorption spectra, allowing for accurate measurement of each component in complex samples. We also explored the effects of self-absorption, known as the inner-filter effect (IFE), on solution samples. The traditional model for IFE correction often fails, even in simple cases. To solve this, we derived a first-principles model to link the fluorescence measured by a spectrofluorometer with the UV-vis absorbance recorded by a conventional spectrophotometer. We applied this model with total photoluminescence spectroscopy to examine temperature effects on photoluminescent materials. In doing so, we could quantify quantum yield changes under different stimuli using a conventional spectrofluorometer for the first time. Finally, building on the insights from these studies, we developed a new instrument to address limitations in commercial instrumentation. The custom instrument integrates a thermoelectric-cooled CCD that can reach -90°C, significantly improving sensitivity and reducing noise. The advantages of this high-quality, low-temperature CCD are substantial, greatly enhancing the versatility, speed, and wavelength range of detection, not only refining current optical spectroscopic techniques but also enabling the development of new methodologies, thanks to its ability to acquire multiple spectra simultaneously, addressing many of the limitations of traditional instruments and paving the way for the development of new, customizable methodologies.