Innovative strategies for teaching nursing research in Taiwan

The effectiveness of evidence-based healthcare educational interventions on healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitudes, professional practice and healthcare outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) educational interventions on healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviour of EBHC, clinical process and care outcomes. A secondary aim of the review is to assess the effects of important pedagogical moderating factors for EBHC educational interventions.

METHOD

This systematic review used a forward and backward citation search strategy on the Web of Science platform (date of inception to 28 April 2023). Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs which compared EBHC educational interventions for healthcare professionals were included. A random effects meta-analysis was undertaken for EBHC compared with an active and nonactive control for all outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty-one RCTs were identified which included a total of 5208 healthcare professionals. There was a large effect for EBHC educational interventions compared with waiting list/no treatment/sham control on knowledge (SMD, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.26-4.14, GRADE Low), skills (SMD, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.25-1.73, Very Low Certainty), attitude (SMD, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.16-1.47, Very Low Certainty) and behaviour of EBHC (SMD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.25-1.40, Very Low Certainty). Over time the effect of EBHC educational interventions substantially decreased with no evidence of effect at 6 months for any outcome except behaviour (SMD,1.72; 95% CI, 0.74-2.71, Low Certainty). There was some evidence that blended learning, active learning and consistency in the individual delivering the intervention may be important positive moderating factors.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that EBHC educational interventions may have a large short-term effect on improving healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour of EBHC. These effects may be longer-lasting regarding EBHC behaviour. In terms of pedagogy, blended learning, active learning, and consistency of the individual delivering the intervention may be important positive moderating factors.

Incorporating evidence-based practice education in nursing research curriculum of undergraduate nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

AIM

To examine the effect of incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) in Nursing Research curriculum on undergraduate nursing students.

BACKGROUND

The competence of EBP is essential for nurses and it is an essential task for educators to implement EBP education in nursing students.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental study.

METHODS

Based on Astin's Input-Environment-Outcome model, the study was conducted among 258 third-grade students of a four-year nursing bachelor's program between September through December 2022. The students were divided into two groups. Students in the intervention group received innovative teaching where EBP elements were incorporated in Nursing Research course in a natural, gradual and spiral way, while students in the control group attended conventional teaching. Effect of EBP teaching was examined in terms of students' EBP competence, learning experience and satisfaction and score of team-based research protocol assignment.

RESULTS

Compared with conventional teaching, the innovative teaching characterized by EBP improved students' EBP competence in terms of attitudes and skills and enhanced student's comprehensive ability in nursing research. Students' learning experience and satisfaction were similarly favorable between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

For undergraduate nursing students, the teaching strategy characterized by EBP is an appropriate and effective way to improve their EBP competence of attitudes and skills, as well as their nursing research ability.

“A life without a supervisor is like a seed that never grows”: Students’ Experiences of Undergraduate Nursing Research Supervision

Background: Undergraduate research is an inquiry or investigation conducted by students who develop an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline. However, little is known within the Philippine context that explores undergraduate nursing research experience and supervision.Purpose: This study illustrated the students’ lived experiences of undergraduate research supervision using transcendental phenomenology.Methods: This study made use of transcendental phenomenology. Thirty students enrolled full-time in a nursing research course during the academic year (AY) 2019-2020, and AY 2020-2021 were purposively sampled. These students completed their research projects as required for the nursing research course and were supervised by a mentor. Each participant underwent an in-depth one-on-one interview, of which the responses were transcribed and analyzed based on the modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method.Findings: From the thirty-nine significant statements carefully reviewed and clustered into meaning units, three themes emerged, namely (a) re-capturing tripartite challenges in doing research, (b) re-cultivating quintessential requisites in doing research, and (c) re-envisioning the future ahead. These themes provided textural and structural descriptions that intuitively integrate into the essence of the lived experience of being supervised in undergraduate research.Conclusion: Undergraduate research supervision resonates with the mutual exchange of novel ideas in a dialogical encounter, collective learning, and participatory-in-action where sciencing and caring thinking is imbued to develop critical thinking, inquisitiveness, and caring intuitiveness.

Evidence-informed practice versus evidence-based practice educational interventions for improving knowledge, attitudes, understanding, and behavior toward the application of evidence into practice: A comprehensive systematic review of UG student

BACKGROUND

To produce graduates with strong knowledge and skills in the application of evidence into healthcare practice, it is imperative that all undergraduate health and social care students are taught, in an efficient manner, the processes involved in applying evidence into practice. The two main concepts that are linked to the application of evidence into practice are "evidence-based practice" and "evidence-informed practice." Globally, evidence-based practice is regarded as the gold standard for the provision of safe and effective healthcare. Despite the extensive awareness of evidence-based practice, healthcare practitioners continue to encounter difficulties in its implementation. This has generated an ongoing international debate as to whether evidence-based practice should be replaced with evidence-informed practice, and which of the two concepts better facilitate the effective and consistent application of evidence into healthcare practice.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this systematic review was to evaluate and synthesize literature on the effectiveness of evidence-informed practice versus evidence-based practice educational interventions for improving knowledge, attitudes, understanding, and behavior of undergraduate health and social care students toward the application of evidence into practice. Specifically, we planned to answer the following research questions: (1) Is there a difference (i.e., difference in content, outcome) between evidence-informed practice and evidence-based practice educational interventions? (2) Does participating in evidence-informed practice educational interventions relative to evidence-based practice educational interventions facilitate the application of evidence into practice (as measured by, e.g., self-reports on effective application of evidence into practice)? (3) Do both evidence-informed practice and evidence-based practice educational interventions targeted at undergraduate health and social care students influence patient outcomes (as measured by, e.g., reduced morbidity and mortality, absence of nosocomial infections)? (4) What factors affect the impact of evidence-informed practice and evidence-based practice educational interventions (as measured by, e.g., course content, mode of delivery, multifaceted interventions, standalone intervention)?

SEARCH METHODS

We utilized a number of search strategies to identify published and unpublished studies: (1) Electronic databases: we searched Academic Search Complete, Academic search premier, AMED, Australian education index, British education index, Campbell systematic reviews, Canada bibliographic database (CBCA Education), CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews on Effectiveness, Dissertation Abstracts International, Education Abstracts, Education complete, Education full text: Wilson, ERIC, Evidence-based program database, JBI database of systematic reviews, Medline, PsycInfo, Pubmed, SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), and Scopus; (2) A web search using search engines such as Google and Google scholar; (3) Grey literature search: we searched OpenGrey (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe), System for information on Grey Literature, the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness, and Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository; (4) Hand searching of journal articles; and (5) Tracking bibliographies of previously retrieved studies. The searches were conducted in June 2019.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include both quantitative (including randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, before and after studies, prospective and retrospective cohort studies) and qualitative primary studies (including, case series, individual case reports, and descriptive cross-sectional studies, focus groups, and interviews, ethnography, phenomenology, and grounded theory), that evaluate and compare the effectiveness of any formal evidence-informed practice educational intervention to evidence-based practice educational intervention. The primary outcomes were evidence-informed practice and evidence-based practice knowledge, attitudes, understanding, and behavior. We planned to include, as participants, undergraduate pre-registration health and social care students from any geographical area.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently screened the search results to assess articles for their eligibility for inclusion. The screening involved an initial screening of the title and abstracts, and subsequently, the full-text of selected articles. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion or consultation with a third author. We found no article eligible for inclusion in this review.

MAIN RESULTS

No studies were found which were eligible for inclusion in this review. We evaluated and excluded 46 full-text articles. This is because none of the 46 studies had evaluated and compared the effectiveness of evidence-informed practice educational interventions with evidence-based practice educational interventions. Out of the 46 articles, 45 had evaluated solely, the effectiveness of evidence-based practice educational interventions and 1 article was on evidence-informed practice educational intervention. Hence, these articles were excluded as they did not meet the inclusion criteria.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is an urgent need for primary studies evaluating the relative effectiveness of evidence-informed practice and evidence-based practice educational interventions targeted at improving undergraduate healthcare students' competencies regarding the application of evidence into practice. Such studies should be informed by current literature on the concepts (i.e., evidence-informed practice and evidence-based practice) to identify the differences, similarities, as well as appropriate content of the educational interventions. In this way, the actual effect of each of the concepts could be determined and their effectiveness compared.

Interventions to boost enrollment in nursing doctor of philosophy (PhD) programs

BACKGROUND

Nursing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) enrollments are languishing, and little is known about PhD enrollment strategies that may lessen nursing's PhD shortage.

PURPOSE

This study examined strategies for bolstering PhD enrollments or enrollment intentions among college students and graduates.

METHODS

An integrative review was undertaken using Whittemore and Knafl's methodology and Garrard's Matrix Method. Nine databases were searched, and a hand search was conducted.

FINDINGS

Strategies were predominantly situated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Features of successful strategies contained core components of faculty mentoring, hands-on research, funding and compensation, undergraduate participation, summer timeframe, informational sessions, and social support.

DISCUSSION

Less rigorous study designs and mostly STEM samples inhibit the transferability of these strategies to nursing. Qualitative research is needed to better understand nursing students' perspectives about the PhD. Additionally, current PhD enrollment strategies within nursing schools need to be systematically evaluated and the findings disseminated.

Factors associated with self-directed learning among undergraduate nursing students: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Self-directed learning (SDL) is encouraged in professional education because it nurtures students' self-motivation and promotes accountability to their own learning. SDL is crucial to fostering collaborative skills for multi-disciplinary practice in today's healthcare settings.

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with SDL ability among undergraduate nursing students.

DESIGN

A systematic review was conducted.

METHODS

The PICO (population, intervention, comparison and outcomes) strategy was used as a guide. Searches were done of studies published between May 2010 and April 2020 via MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE, as well as print. Screening, selection, and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. All discrepancies were resolved through discussion or by consulting a third reviewer.

RESULT

A total of 18 of 1576 articles were selected based on the PRISMA process. The methodological quality of all included studies was mostly moderate. Factors associated with SDL were identified from both quantitative and qualitative evidence. Upon the integration of all evidence, the results showed that SDL is developed with the interaction environmental influence (types of study programmes, study years, and teaching-learning strategies) and personal influence [personal characteristics (age and gender) and learning attributes (problem-solving ability, self-efficacy, learning attitude and learning interest). Strategies employing individual study and small group learning with adequate support by educators exert a great deal of positive effect on SDL improvement.

CONCLUSION

All identified factors improve students' SDL. The results of the review revealed SDL development with the interaction of environmental/situation influence and personal influence. Nurse educators should be more aware of the effects of these factors on SDL development during different stages of study. Strategies with independent learning and small group learning are effective to enhance students' learning attributes. Importantly, continuous support and guidance provided by educators is crucial to achieve students' SDL enhancement for lifelong learning during study.

Educational Interventions for Teaching Evidence-Based Practice to Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Scoping Review

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the appropriate approach to guide healthcare personnel in their clinical practice. Despite the importance of EBP, undergraduate nursing students are not very much engaged and have a lack of knowledge and skills. Aim: The aim of this study was to gather, assess and synthesize evidence on educational interventions promoting evidence-based practice competencies in traditional undergraduate nursing students. Methods: This is a scoping review on sixteen English and non-English databases. A data extraction form was established including authors, year of publication, country, types of participant, specific objectives, study design, educational intervention, comparison if existed, and outcomes of significance. Results: The search strategy retrieved 8901 records in total. After screening for duplicates and eligibility, 20 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Improvement in EBP domains such as knowledge, skills, attitudes/behaviours, EBP beliefs, use, practice, level of evidence, critical thinking and future use of EBP were mentioned and assessed in different studies. Conclusions: EBP training can improve nursing students’ capacity in healthcare provision. Teaching EBP competencies along undergraduate nursing curricula should be a high priority at nursing programmes. The use of innovative approaches seems to be more effective than traditional ways. Education of EBP increases its future use and critical thinking and EBP programs improve self-efficacy and the level of evidence utilization.

Methods for teaching evidence-based practice: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

This scoping review aims to gather and map inspiration, ideas and recommendations for teaching evidence-based practice across Professional Bachelor Degree healthcare programmes by mapping literature describing evidence-based practice teaching methods for undergraduate healthcare students including the steps suggested by the Sicily Statement.

METHODS

A computer-assisted literature search using PubMed, Cinahl, PsycINFO, and OpenGrey covering health, education and grey literature was performed. Literature published before 2010 was excluded. Students should be attending either a Professional Bachelor's degree or a Bachelor's degree programme. Full-text articles were screened by pairs of reviewers and data extracted regarding: study characteristics and key methods of teaching evidence-based practice. Study characteristics were described narratively. Thematic analysis identified key methods for teaching evidence-based practice, while full-text revisions identified the use of the Sicily Statement's five steps and context.

RESULTS

The database search identified 2220 records. One hundred ninety-two records were eligible for full-text assessment and 81 studies were included. Studies were conducted from 2010 to 2018. Approximately half of the studies were undertaken in the USA. Study designs were primarily qualitative and participants mainly nursing students. Seven key methods for teaching evidence-based practice were identified. Research courses and workshops, Collaboration with clinical practice and IT technology were the key methods most frequently identified. Journal clubs and Embedded librarians were referred to the least. The majority of the methods included 2-4 of the Sicily Statement's five steps, while few methods referred to all five steps.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review has provided an extensive overview of literature describing methods for teaching EBP regarding undergraduate healthcare students. The two key methods Research courses and workshops and Collaboration with clinical practice are advantageous methods for teaching undergraduate healthcare students evidence-based practice; incorporating many of the Sicily Statement's five steps. Unlike the Research courses and workshop methods, the last step of evaluation is carried out partly or entirely in a clinical context. Journal clubs and Embedded librarians should be further investigated as methods to reinforce existing methods of teaching. Future research should focus on methods for teaching EBP that incorporate as many of the five steps of teaching and conducting EBP as possible.

A Process for Teaching Research Methods in a Virtual Environment

Translating and integrating scholarship into practice is a difficult concept for students to embrace through a passive education model. Therefore, innovative teaching strategies were integrated into a translational science course for online graduate nursing students. The purpose of this project was to increase understanding of the research process and stimulate interest in translating nursing evidence into practice. The result was an effective educational strategy for teaching and learning about the research process in a virtual environment.

Interventions for improving the research literacy of nurses: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Despite the importance of research literacy for nurses, many nurses report feeling unable to effectively read and understand research, which in turn results in lower research utilization in practice. Nurses themselves identify poor experiences with trying to understand and use research as factors that contribute to a reluctance to utilize research. This reluctance often leads nurses to seek other sources of information, such as colleagues, instead.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to identify the effectiveness of research literacy interventions on the research literacy of registered nurses.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Registered nurses.Interventions of interest were those that evaluated the effectiveness of workplace educational programs or interventions conducted in a healthcare organization or tertiary-level educational facility aiming to improve or increase registered nurses' understanding of research literature.Outcomes of interest were research literacy, measured explicitly or as research knowledge, research understanding, use of research evidence in practice, and/or ability to critically appraise research.We considered experimental study designs such as randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, and before and after studies.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A wide range of databases were searched in order to provide the most complete possible review of the evidence. Initial keywords used were: "research litera*", "research education", "research knowledge", "evidence-based practice education".

METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY

Papers selected for retrieval were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity prior to inclusion in the review using standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI).

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted from papers included in the review using the standardized data extraction tool from JBI-MAStARI.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Quantitative data would have been, if possible, pooled in statistical meta-analysis using the Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.2 software. As statistical pooling was not possible, the findings are presented in narrative form including tables and figures where appropriate to aid in data presentation.

RESULTS

The majority of included studies were single-group pre-test/post-test designs (n=7). One was a post-test only two-group comparison and two were two-group quasi-experimental studies. Included studies were conducted in Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, United Kingdom and United States. The total number of registered nurses in the included studies was 453. The educational interventions were conducted in universities (n=6) and healthcare facilities (n=4). Most included studies were published (n=9), with one unpublished study.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence on educational interventions, while not strong, is indicative of the types of interventions which are likely to be effective. Online or face-to-face interventions using interactive teaching strategies, such as activities, role-play and discussions, and which are underpinned by an appropriate behavioral or education theory, are likely to increase research literacy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

More rigorous experimental studies of educational interventions for nurses' research literacy are warranted, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of different course and program designs. Future studies should consider longer periods of follow-up to test the longevity of the effect, as education needs to have lasting effects to be beneficial to the recipients.

The effect of integrating constructivist and evidence-based practice on baccalaureate nursing student's cognitive load and learning performance in a research course

BACKGROUND

Baccalaureate nursing students perceive research as unattractive, doubt the value of nursing research, and do not appreciate the link of research with practice. No studies have examined students' cognitive load during an evidence-based practice research course versus a traditional research course.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of integrating constructivist theories and evidence-based practice on student cognitive load and learning performance in a research course.

DESIGN

A true experimental study.

SETTINGS

A Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

PARTICIPANTS

Six classes of second-year students.

METHODS

Students were randomly allocated to the control group (two classes) or the experimental group (two classes) using cluster randomization. The control group underwent "traditional research"; the experimental group experienced "integrating evidence-based practice into research." Instruments for outcome assessment include the Cognitive Load Scale, cognitive test, team critique paper, and qualitative feedback on course satisfaction. The between-subjects effects were compared by Analysis of Covariance.

RESULTS

The experimental group had significantly higher mental load (8.74 vs. 7.27, p<.001), mental effort (11.07 vs. 10.07, p=.009), mental efficiency (0.33 vs. -0.31, p<.001), and research knowledge (70.61 vs. 44.92, p<.001) than the control group. The experimental group had better critique paper scores in introduction (92.80%), literature review (91.70%), and assignment requirement and writing (89.40%). Some experimental learners expressed satisfaction with learning evidence-based practice (17.78%) and critiquing a research article (7.78%).

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating evidence-based practice into a research course not only improved the research knowledge of baccalaureate nursing students, but also increased their mental load, mental effort, and mental efficiency. Additional studies may track learners' responses to different learning systems using the developed instrument to measure the three types of cognitive load. These findings may help educators design more effective and interesting curricula for integrating research and evidence-based practice into the studies of student nurses.

Effectiveness of an evidence-based practice (EBP) course on the EBP competence of undergraduate nursing students: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

International nursing institutions and experts recommend evidence-based practice (EBP) as a core component of the curriculum for nurses. However, the impact of EBP training on the competence of undergraduate nursing students remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of an EBP course on the EBP competence undergraduate nursing students'.

DESIGN

Quasi-experimental study carried out in non-randomized intervention and control groups.

SETTINGS

The study was conducted in a Spanish public university in 2010.

PARTICIPANTS

Out of 420 second- and third-year nursing students, 75 were enrolled in the EBP course, forming the intervention group, and 73 were not enrolled in this course were recruited as controls.

PROCEDURE

The educational intervention was a 15-week course designed to teach EBP competence. The EBP Competence Questionnaire (EBP-COQ) was administered before and after the intervention. Repeated-measure ANOVA was used to compare intervention and control group scores before and at two months after the 15-week intervention period.

RESULTS

At 2months after the EBP course, mean EBP-COQ scores of the intervention group were significantly improved versus baseline in attitude (4.28 vs. 3.33), knowledge (3.92 vs. 2.82) and skills (4.01 vs. 2.75) dimensions, whereas little change was observed in control group scores over the same time period. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of Time ×Group interaction on global competence and all three EBP-COQ dimensions.

DISCUSSIONS

Undergraduate nursing students experience positive changes in EBP competence, knowledge, skills, and attitude as the result of a 15-week educational intervention on EBP. This EBP course may provide nursing school educators and policymakers with a useful model for integrating EBP teaching within the nursing curriculum.

Pedagogical strategies to teach bachelor students evidence-based practice: A systematic review

AIM

The aim of this study is to review international scientific articles about pedagogical strategies to teach nursing students at bachelor degree evidence-based practice (EBP).

METHOD

A literature review including peer reviewed, original, empirical articles describing pedagogical interventions aimed at teaching bachelor's degree nursing students EBP in the period 2004-2014. Theories of discretion, knowledge transfer and cognitive maturity development are used as analytical perspectives.

RESULTS

The main challenge teaching evidence based practice is that the students fail to see how research findings contribute to nursing practice. The pedagogical strategies described are student active learning methods to teach the students information literacy and research topics. Information literacy is mainly taught according to the stages of EBP. These stages focus on how to elaborate evidence from research findings for implementation into nursing practice. The articles reviewed mainly use qualitative, descriptive designs and formative evaluations of the pedagogical interventions.

CONCLUSION

Although a considerable effort in teaching information literacy and research topics, nursing students still struggle to see the relevance evidence for nursing practice. Before being introduced to information literacy and research topics, students need insight into knowledge transfer and their own epistemic assumptions. Knowledge transfer related to clinical problems should be the learning situations prioritized when teaching EBP at bachelor level. Theoretical perspectives of cognitive maturity development, knowledge transfer and discretion in professional practice give alternative ways of designing pedagogical strategies for EBP. More research is needed to develop and test pedagogical strategies for EBP in light of these theories.

Development of a nursing education program for improving Chinese undergraduates' self-directed learning: A mixed-method study

OBJECTIVE

This paper demonstrates the establishment of an extra-curricular education program in Chinese context and evaluates its effectiveness on undergraduate nursing students' self-directed learning.

METHODS

Zimmerman's self-directed learning model was used as the theoretical framework for the development of an education program. Mixed-method was applied in this research study. 165 undergraduate students from a nursing college were divided into experimental group (n=32) and control group (n=133). Pre- and post-tests were implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of this education program using the self-directed learning scale of nursing undergraduates. Qualitative interview was undertaken within participants from the experimental group to obtain their insights into the influence of this program.

RESULTS

Both quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that the program contributed to nursing students' self-directed learning ability. In the experimental group, the post-test score showed an increase compared with pretest score (p<0.05). The score of experimental group was higher than control group (p<0.05) after 18months training, while there was no difference between them before this program. Qualitative results from 9 students' experience were formulated as three main thematic categories: influence on awareness, influence on learning activities and influence on learning environment. It can be found in the qualitative analysis that learners benefited from this program.

CONCLUSION

The education program contributes to the improvement of nursing undergraduates' self-directed learning. Various pedagogic methods could be applied for self-directed learning.

The Effectiveness of Interventions for Improving the Research Literacy of Nurses: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Internationally, a considerable body of research exists examining why nurses do not use evidence in practice. Consistently, the research finds that lack of knowledge about research or discomfort with understanding research terminology are among the chief reasons given. Research education is commonly included in undergraduate nursing degree programs, but this does not seem to translate into a strong understanding of research following graduation, or an ability to use it in practice.

AIM

The objective of this review was to identify the effectiveness of workplace, tertiary-level educational, or other interventions designed to improve or increase postregistration nurses' understanding of research literature and ability to critically interact with research literature with the aim of promoting the use of research evidence in practice in comparison to no intervention, other intervention, or usual practice.

METHODS

A wide range of databases were searched for quantitative studies of registered nurses receiving educational interventions designed to increase or improve their understanding of research literature in tertiary or workplace settings. Two reviewers working independently critically appraised the relevant papers and extracted the data using Joanna Briggs Institute instruments. Data are presented as a narrative summary as no meta-analysis was possible.

RESULTS

Searching identified 4,545 potentially relevant papers, and after the sifting of titles and abstracts, 96 papers were selected for retrieval. On examination of full-text versions, 10 of the 96 retrieved papers were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Included studies were low to moderate quality. Interactive or activity-based learning seems to be effective in terms of improving research knowledge, critical appraisal ability, and research self-efficacy. Utilizing a program with a strong base in an appropriate theory also seems to be associated with greater effectiveness, particularly for workplace interventions.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

The included studies strongly favored interactive interventions, and those utilizing theory in their construction. Therefore, these types of interventions should be implemented to improve the effectiveness of research education for nurses as well as their research literacy.