Protectionism or competition in managing British nursing research? Current debate among nurse and midwifery teachers

The intention is to highlight key issues related to research by nurse and midwifery teachers.

The debate centres on the 'culture change' facing teachers from traditional colleges moving to universities where a more formal research requirement prevails.

Data were drawn from selected official reports and other literature informing the introductory discussion. Emerging themes were discussed by 25 nurse and midwife teachers at Forresterhill College, Aberdeen in March 1996 and their views were recorded and analysed.

Selected documents and discussion records were reviewed, using a thematic approach.

Main themes concerned nursing as art and science, balance between multidisciplinary and unidisciplinary research and ring-fencing nursing research funds.

Anxieties among teachers centred on the increased research requirement in universities with possible neglect of teaching excellence.