The generic research protocol: an innovative technique to facilitate research skills development and protocol preparation

Hospitals are increasingly delegating responsibility for initiating nursing research to nursing staff whose knowledge of and experience in conducting research may be limited. As a result, nurses involved in continuing education and staff development are increasingly involved in helping staff develop their research skills and prepare research protocols. The generic research protocol (GRP) is a computerized learning package that assists nursing staff in preparing a scholarly research protocol through step-by-step instruction and guidance. When used in two unrelated nursing studies, research skills of participating nursing staff were developed and protocol preparation facilitated. The time and editorial effort required for protocol preparation were reduced, and novice researchers were familiarized with research terminology and issues related to study design.