An international survey of research capacity and culture in speech-language pathology: Preliminary findings

This study investigated international speech-language pathologists' self-perceived research skills and workplace research culture, as well as any influencing factors.

The Research Capacity and Culture tool was used to survey speech-language pathologists in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, and US.

A total of 253 speech-language pathologists completed the survey. Organisations were rated as highly successful at promoting clinical practice-based evidence, but least successful for ensuring research career pathways are available and providing research software programs. Teams were rated as highly successful in evidence-guided planning, but least successful for having mechanisms to monitor research quality, providing research software, and applying for external funding for research. Individual respondents reported finding relevant literature as their most skilled research activity; and securing research funding as their least skilled. Regional differences were also found. Age, experience, and qualifications were associated with higher research skills; medical and university settings reported more supportive research culture.

Speech-language pathologists are more skilled in the consumption of research than activities related to the production of research evidence. They viewed their work environments as supportive of research engagement, but reported that these work places did not consistently provide the resources for them to engage with research.