Nurses' Attitudes Toward Nursing Research

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.

Keywords

• attitudes towards research
• nursing research
• nurses