Nurses' Attitudes Toward Nursing Research

  • Ana Kovačević* Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Clinic, Osijek, Croatia
  • Nada Prlić Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Department of Nursing, Medical Ethics and Palliative Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
  • Biljana Matijašević Private nursing home for elderly and disabled persons, Makloševac, Croatia

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the attitudes of nurses towards research in nursing. 

Methods: The study involved 202 respondents. The respondents were nurses employed at Osijek Clinical Hospital. The Boothe's Attitudes on Nursing Research Scale was used as an instrument of research – a modified version by Bostrom, A. C. Prior to statistical data processing, respondents were divided into two groups, considering the level of education: vocational nurses and Bachelors of Science in Nursing. By age, respondents were divided into three groups: aged 20 to 35, 36 to 50 and 51 to 65. The differences between the observed groups were tested by the t-test and analysis of variance.

Results: There is a statistically significant difference in attitudes towards research given the level of education of the respondents (p = 0.015). Bachelors of Science in Nursing have more positive attitudes towards research ( = 148.5) compared to vocational nurses ( = 141.1). A significant difference in attitudes towards nursing research was determined also with respect to the age of respondents (p = 0.002). Younger nurses have a more positive attitude towards research in nursing (  = 151.5) than middle-aged ( = 140.9) and senior nurses ( = 140.1). There is also a significant difference in the level of motivation for continuing professional education given the respondents’ level of education (p = 0.019).

Conclusion: Nurses show mildly positive attitudes towards nursing research.

Key words: attitudes towards research, nursing research, nurses

Published
2018-04-07
Section
Articles