A study of nurses’ attitudes towards research: a factor analytic approach

Abstract

Despite considerable top-down pressure on nurses to undertake research, the available evidence suggests that relatively few nursing studies are submitted for publication. Given the need to increase the degree to which research informs practice, this shortfall in output must of necessity constitute a cause for concern. Therefore, it seems timely that a full-scale investigation into the possible reasons for non-submission is conducted. This study, therefore, in an attempt to meet this aim, used factor analysis on the scores from an attitude-to-research scale completed by 230 nurses. The results suggested that five coherent factors underpinned the sample's general attitudes to research. These were labelled 'nurses' subjective barriers to research', 'organizational/structural barriers to research', 'doctors' reactions to nursing research', 'health care professionals' reactions to research' and 'impact of nursing research'. The variables clustering on two of these factors suggested a predictive relationship with two relevant outcome behaviours relating to research. When this was tested, the predictions were supported, indicating that these factors could be used as a quick and simple screening tool to highlight individuals or groups of nurses who might benefit maximally from specific attitude change programmes. In this way, it might be possible to increase nursing research activities and output.

Gender identity, research self‐efficacy and research intention in trainee clinical psychologists in the UK

“…Perceived congruence was reported between the role of researcher and male gender, and females presented in vignettes as good at research were viewed as likely to be poor nurses (Hicks, 1996b). Hicks (1996a) suggested that gender-role schemata and identity could have infl uenced people's perceptions of and attitudes towards the two job roles of researcher and practitioner.…”

“…Qualitative methods are suggested as congruent with 'relational and emotional skills stereotypically associated with women' and 'demand less abstraction from context and statistical analysis', skills stereotypically associated with males (Grant, Ward, & Rong, 1987, p. 856). A study of 856 published sociology papers (Grant et al, 1987) found that quantitative methods were most preferred by both males and females although use of qualitative methods was signifi cantly higher among females.A series of studies by Hicks (1995Hicks ( , 1996aHicks ( , 1996b in relation to nurses and midwives suggested that many traits ascribed to the researcher role were construed as masculine (e.g., ambition), while many traits associated with the clinician role were construed as feminine (e.g., sympathy). Perceived congruence was reported between the role of researcher and male gender, and females presented in vignettes as good at research were viewed as likely to be poor nurses (Hicks, 1996b).…”

“Novice Authors … What You Need to Know to Make Writing for Publication Smooth”

“…Reasons reported include being insecure with their chosen research methodology, lacking confidence to write, diminished confidence in their research, and insufficient time to pursue writing activities. 4,6 Editorials have been written that lament the fact that nurses do not publish research results as frequently as they should and implore nurses to consider publication as an obligation. 1,7 For those who choose to forge ahead and publish their research results, there are some obstacles that need to be navigated.…”

A prática baseada em evidências: considerações teóricas para sua implementação na enfermagem perioperatória

“…Em um estudo cujo objetivo consistia em analisar a atitude dos enfermeiros para com a pesquisa, os resultados evidenciaram cinco fatores considerados barreiras para a utilização de pesquisa, a saber: fator 1 -barreiras pessoais (subjetivas) dos enfermeiros; fator 2 -barreiras organizacionais (estruturais); fator 3 -reações dos médicos frente à pesquisa de enfermagem; fator 4 -reações de profissionais da saúde e fator 5 -impacto da pesquisa de enfermagem (18) . (18) .…”