Exploring and Validating Performance Measurement Domains of Community Pharmacists Using Structural Equation Modeling: Implications and Recommendations for Research

Abstract

Background: Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a widely used quantitative technique among social and management science researchers. Self-reported questionnaires are in prevalent use among researchers in pharmacy management. But validity and measurement invariance measures of questionnaires are not commonly reported in research studies. Objectives: To determine the construct validity and invariance validity of the research instrument. To provide guidelines for applying confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in pharmacy management research. Methods: A cross-sectional study with an anonymously structured questionnaire randomly administered to six hundred community pharmacists in southwestern, Nigeria. The CFA algorithm in SEM software was used to develop a measurement model and test hypotheses. Results: The measurement model satisfied the model and construct validity benchmarks. The measurement invariance parameters were adequate. Conclusion: The study concluded that the theoretically developed constructs- economic, operational, and social performance were valid representations of theory. Mandatory inclusion of validity and measurement invariance test reporting in pharmacy management research is advocated.