A study of the utilization of research in practice and the influence of education

This paper reports part of a multi-phase study which aimed to investigate the extent to which nurses utilize research and to identify factors associated with research utilization. The findings presented examine the influence of education upon research utilization. Firstly, a survey of registered nurses working in general medical and surgical wards in Scotland was conducted. 680/936 (72.6%) nurses returned self-report questionnaires to measure the level of utilization of 14 research based practices and assess the presence of potential influencing factors. This was then followed up through interviews with a sub-sample of nurses. An association was found between a higher educational level and research utilization. The nurses reported that in courses as opposed to study days, they were expected to engage in study and read and complete course work whereas attendance at study days could be an entirely passive experience and was often more of a morale booster. Nurses who read at least one journal regularly, had had more study leave, or had attended research courses also had a higher level of research utilization.