Pilot testing an independent study series on research

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Research Methodology

Background:

• The Army Nurse Corps initiated the Critical Reading of Research Publications (CRRP) program.
• CRRP is an independent study series designed for small groups of nurses.
• The program aims to enhance nurses' understanding of research principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot test the CRRP program for continuing education (CE) approval.
• To evaluate the program's ease of use, effectiveness, and CE contact hour allocation.
• To gather feedback for program improvement and administrative management.

Main Methods:

• Pilot testing of the CRRP independent study series.
• Evaluation of program usability and effectiveness.
• Collection of participant feedback for refinement.

Main Results:

• Constructive feedback was received from potential program consumers.
• The pilot testing facilitated incremental improvements to the educational program.
• The program's design was refined based on user input.

Conclusions:

• Pilot testing is crucial for refining educational programs in nursing research.
• Participant feedback is valuable for enhancing the learning experience and administrative processes.
• The CRRP program represents an innovative approach to nursing research education.