Development of an intuition semantic instrument

Abstract

Intuition is currently being measured as a subscale of lengthy, costly, and complicated personality assessment scales. Current measures of intuition have psychometric limitations, lack clinical utility and empirical support. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid instrument to measure intuition. The Himaya Intuition Semantic Scale (HINTS) was developed by the investigator.

Theoretical support was identified using Gestalt Theory, Cognitive Dissonance Theory, and Ornstein's (1977) Modes of Consciousness Theory. Stinchcombe's format was used to structure the merger of the three theories. The components of intuition (wholeness, approximation, spontaneity, and personalization) were identified by a review of the literature and concept analysis. A random sample of 450 nurses in a southern state was selected. The subjects were predominately caucasian, married, females with an average of 13 years of clinical practice. A pilot study was conducted and content validity was asserted.

A methodological design was used. The findings indicated adequate reliability and validity of HINTS. Alpha coefficient for HINTS was 0.8870. Alpha coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.7251 for the personalization subscale to 0.7406 for the spontaneity subscale. The item to total correlations of all items ranged between 0.31 and 0.62.

Construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis. Five factors with four or more items each loading at 0.50 or greater were extracted. The four subscales corresponded to the strongest four factors. The findings of factor analysis supported the four component model and construct validity of HINTS.

HINTS shows promise as a reliable, valid measure of intuition which will help nurses gain information about their preferred modes of decision-making. This knowledge could enhance the use of differences and strengths of various team members in nursing. Intuition fosters creative solutions to increasingly complex problems. Findings reflected themes consistent with attributes of intuition found in nursing literature. A practical, valid, and reliable instrument stimulates the study of intuition, a hallmark of nursing. HINTS will facilitate accumulating evidence of intuition as a valuable component in clinical judgment. Recognition of intuitive experiences has significant consequences for nurses and nursing.