STAFF NURSE PERCEPTIONS OF BARRIERS TO RESEARCH UTILIZATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTS FOR RESEARCH IN HOSPITALS.
Contributors: George Mason University.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 155
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Health Care Management.; Psychology, Social.
Description: The integration of research and practice is critical for the credibility of the nursing profession as well as excellence in patient care. The research literature indicates that the application of research findings by staff nurses to adapt and improve practice is inconsistent. Nurse administrators in hospitals are supporting research programs with the goal of increasing the scientific basis of practice. Using a national sample of 336 hospital staff nurses, this study examined the relationships among supports for nursing research in hospitals, staff nurse participation in the research process, and staff nurses' perceptions of barriers to using research as a basis for practice.

The effects of four sets of independent variables on four dimensions of perceived barriers to research utilization were analyzed using multiple regression path analysis. The four independent variable sets were: (a) resources for research, (b) research climate, (c) decentralization of decision-making, and (d) participation in research activities. The four dimensions of perceived barriers to research utilization were: (a) characteristics of the nurse, (b) characteristics of the research, (c) characteristics of the organization, and (d) characteristics of the communication of the research.

Administrative supports for research had a significant effect on both participation in research and perceptions of barriers to research utilization. Participation in research activities did not demonstrate a significant effect on perception of barriers to research utilization. Implications for administrators, educators, clinicians, and researchers are discussed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-03, Section: B, page: 0822.

Thesis (PH.D.)--GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY, 1994.

School code: 0883.