Lessons learned in multisite, nursing education research while studying a technology learning innovation.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education Research
• Educational Innovation Studies
• Multi-site Research Management

Background:

• Educational research involving teaching innovations across multiple sites and over time faces significant logistical hurdles.
• Key challenges include ensuring consistent intervention adoption, managing participant attrition, and achieving adequate response rates.
• Effective study management is crucial for the validity and success of complex educational research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reflect on and detail the challenges encountered during an 18-month multi-site nursing education study.
• To offer evidence-based recommendations for researchers undertaking similar complex educational studies.
• To improve the strategies for managing multi-site, longitudinal educational research.

Main Methods:

• Post-study reflection by the research team on their 18-month nursing education study.
• Analysis of challenges related to intervention fidelity, participant engagement, and administrative processes.
• Development of practical recommendations based on lessons learned.

Main Results:

• Identified critical challenges in maintaining innovation fidelity across diverse sites.
• Highlighted issues with survey fatigue and the complexities of multiple Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications.
• Recognized the importance of clear communication and sustained engagement strategies.

Conclusions:

• Successful multi-site educational research requires proactive strategies for communication, engagement, and intervention fidelity.
• Flexibility and adaptive management are essential for overcoming logistical and administrative obstacles.
• Recommendations provided aim to enhance the design and execution of future complex educational research initiatives.