Nurses' Attitudes Toward Nursing Research

Ana Kovačević*; Nada Prlić; Biljana Matijašević

doi:10.26332/seemedj.v1i2.53

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

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26332/seemedj.v1i2.53

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