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

Area of Science:

• Nursing and Midwifery Research
• Health Services Research
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Effective practice-based research requires robust infrastructure, leadership, and capacity building at individual and organizational levels.
• Integrating research into routine nursing and midwifery practice necessitates a flexible approach adaptable to diverse clinical settings and varying clinician expertise.
• This study protocol details research within a New South Wales Local Health District (LHD) to assess current research activity, culture, capacity, and capability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate existing nursing and midwifery research activity, culture, capacity, and capability within the LHD.
• To gather stakeholder input to inform the development of a responsive and sustainable research capacity building framework.
• To foster the integration of practice-based research into diverse clinical settings within the LHD.

Main Methods:

• A three-phased, sequential mixed-methods action research design guided by Normalization Process Theory (NPT).
• Data collection via surveys, focus groups, individual interviews, and peer-supported action-learning groups involving nursing and midwifery clinicians and managers.
• Quantitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression; qualitative data analyzed thematically for an integrated report.

Main Results:

• The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current research landscape among nurses and midwives.
• Findings will identify specific areas for targeted capacity building and framework development.
• The integrated analysis will reveal factors influencing research activity and potential for improvement.

Conclusions:

• Understanding current research capacity and organizational culture is crucial for building a sustainable research environment.
• This study moves beyond identifying barriers to implement a theory-driven, action-oriented approach for normalizing research practice.
• The ultimate aim is to facilitate the generation, utilization, and translation of practice-based research to enhance patient and service delivery outcomes.