Measuring gerontological research intensity in schools of nursing

Because of the urgent need for more gerontological nursing research, it is critical for more schools of nursing to develop research-intensive environments within which faculty can develop programs of gerontological nursing research. Unfortunately, many schools have limited resources for developing the needed infrastructures and for acquiring the required expertise in gerontology and research. Many also lack the expertise and methods for assessing their current status so they may increase their gerontological nursing research intensity. To help schools assess their status and gaps in the essentials required for a research-intensive environment and gerontological nursing research, an instrument was developed to measure benchmarks of research intensity; it is described in this article. Initial results of pilot testing of the instrument, the revised instrument, and plans for future research are presented. Uses of the instrument for assessing and strengthening a school's research infrastructure and culture and for assisting with the development of faculty programs of gerontological nursing research are also discussed.