Ground-up-top down: a mixed method action research study aimed at normalising research in practice for nurses and midwives

Abstract

Background: Improving health, patient and system outcomes through a practice-based research agenda requires infrastructural supports, leadership and capacity building approaches, at both the individual and organisational levels. Embedding research as normal nursing and midwifery practice requires a flexible approach that is responsive to the diverse clinical contexts within which care is delivered and the variable research skills and interest of clinicians. This paper reports the study protocol for research being undertaken in a Local Health District (LHD) in New South Wales (NSW) Australia. The study aims to evaluate existing nursing and midwifery research activity, culture, capacity and capability across the LHD. This information, in addition to input from key stakeholders will be used to develop a responsive, productive and sustainable research capacity building framework aimed at enculturating practice-based research activities within and across diverse clinical settings of the LHD.

Towards translational research participation for nurses and midwives: a mixed method study

“…The survey included previously validated instruments, identified from the literature (Table 1 ), which measured individual research skills/aptitude (4 items), perceived individual research intentions (3 items), perceived individual research capacity (15 items), as well as factors related to perceived research value (7 items), perceived research relevance (9 items), perceived organizational culture and capability (19 items), perceived organizational support (3 items), and individual respondent characteristics (3 items) [ 19 – 22 ]. In addition, a seven-item translational research domain was developed after deliberation and critical appraisal by the research team [ 23 ]. Other questions measured research activity.…”

“… Research and Development Culture Index (R & D Culture Index) (Watson et al, 2005) [ 19 ] Perceived individual research capacity Individual skill level across a variety of research related activities from finding the literature through to dissemination of findings Research and Development Culture Index (R & D Culture Index) (Watson et al, 2005) [ 19 ] Research and Capacity Culture Tool (RCC Tool) (Holden et al, 2012) [ 20 ] Perceived research relevance Importance individual places on research for practice improvement and significance in daily work, relevance to profession and relevance to education Nursing Research Questionnaire (NRQ) (Corchon et al, 2010) [ 21 ] Perceived research value Value and impact of research in practice and on their profession Nursing Research Questionnaire (NRQ) (Corchon et al, 2010) [ 21 ] Perceived translation of research into practice Explores whether research is collaborative between clinicians and researchers, is directed by strategic priorities, improves patient and organizational outcomes through sustained practice change and used to evaluate interventions. Developed and validated by the research team (Parker et al, 2017) [ 23 ] Organizational Domain Perceived organizational support Degree of organizational support and opportunity for, and application of research in your team or service Research and Capacity Culture Tool (RCC Tool) (Holden et al, 2012) [ 20 ] Queensland Health Practitioner Research Capacity Survey (Queensland Health Practitioner Research Capacity Survey) [ 22 ] Perceived organizational culture and capability Degree of research related resources, planning, leadership, opportunities, consumer involvement, and quality monitoring and expert advice. Queensland Health Practitioner Research Capacity Survey (Queensland Health Practitioner Research Capacity Survey) [ 22 ] …”

Theoretical and Methodological Validation of the Action Research: Methodology of the Scientific Study

“…combining qualitative and quantitative methods) (Charalampous & Papademetriou, 2019). While they evaluated and understood their work by applying qualitative methods, their results were measured with quantitative methods (Parker et al, 2017). Ivanova and Wingo (2018) substantiated conceptual, philosophical and procedural aspects of using a mixed-method approach in action research.…”

Action research: The key to inclusive education in Cyprus

“…Mixed methods in AR provide the "methodological framework" and "a comprehensive initial assessment of the problem", "produce conclusions" and "ensure better transferability of the AR study results to other contexts" (Ivanova, 2015, p. 58). Of course, combining AR and mixed methodology is hardly pioneering, having already been used by some researchers (Parker et al, 2017).…”