Dataset for: Validation and cultural adaptation of the Cognitive Load Scale among health professions students in Chile: a cross-sectional study

This repository contains two raw datasets used for the psychometric validation and cultural adaptation of the Cognitive Load Scale (CLS) among health professions students in Chile. Database 1. Raw AFE CLS.xlsx: Data used for the Exploratory Factor Analysis (n = 349). Database 2. Raw AFC CLS.xlsx: Data used for the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and measurement invariance (n = 1552). Variables: N°: Unique participant identification number. He leído las instrucciones, soy mayor de edad y estoy dispuesto a particiar voluntariamente en esta investigación: Informed consent confirmation (Sí = Yes). CLS1 to CLS10: Scores for the 10 items of the translated Cognitive Load Scale. Responses range from 0 to 10. Study Abstract: The Cognitive Load Scale (CLS) is a widely used instrument for measuring intrinsic, extrinsic, and germane cognitive load, but no validated Spanish-language version exists for health professions students in Latin America. This study aimed to culturally adapt the CLS and evaluate its psychometric properties among Chilean undergraduate health professions students. An observational, cross-sectional, and instrumental study was conducted with a non-probability sample of 1,901 students from six health programs at a multicenter Chilean university. Following content validation by six experts, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 349) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 1,552) were performed, together with reliability estimation (Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω), measurement invariance testing across sex, and convergent validity analysis using Spearman correlations with the SISCO-II academic stress inventory. Content validity was optimal (Aiken’s V > 0.83). The CFA confirmed the theoretical three-dimensional structure with an excellent fit (CFI = 0.989; TLI = 0.984; RMSEA = 0.0525; SRMR = 0.0220), high internal reliability (overall ω = 0.888), and structural invariance between women and men. Intrinsic and extrinsic load was associated exclusively with coping strategies. The Chilean CLS is a valid, reliable, and sex-invariant instrument for evaluating instructional design in health professions education.