Development and Initial Validity Evidence for the EvaLeR Tool: Assessing Quality of Emergency Medicine Educational Resources

Abstract

Background

Emergency medicine (EM) residents increasingly favor digital educational resources over traditional textbooks, with studies showing over 90% regularly using blogs, podcasts, and other online platforms. No standardized instruments exist to comparatively assess quality across both formats, leading to uncertainty in resource selection and potential inconsistencies in learning. We developed the Evaluation of Learning Resources (EvaLeR) tool and gathered initial validity evidence for its use in assessing both textbooks and digital EM educational resources.

Methods

This two-phase mixed-methods study developed the EvaLeR tool and gathered validity evidence for its use. Phase 1 comprised a systematic literature review, quality indicator analysis, and expert consultation. In Phase 2, 34 EM faculty evaluated 20 resources (10 textbook chapters, 10 blog posts) using EvaLeR. We collected evidence for reliability, internal consistency, and relationships with other variables.

Results

The EvaLeR tool showed excellent average-measure reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97, 95% CI [0.94–0.99]). We found high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.86) and moderate correlation with educator gestalt ratings (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). The tool performed similarly across resource types, with no significant differences between textbook chapters (13.34/18, SD 3.41) and digital resources (13.21/18, SD 3.25; p = 0.62).

Conclusions

Initial validity evidence supports the use of EvaLeR for quality assessment of both textbooks and digital EM educational resources. This tool provides educators with an evidence-based approach to resource selection, moving beyond format-based assumptions to focus on content quality, and represents the first standardized instrument for comparative evaluation across educational resource formats.