Midwest Nursing Research Society News

Research ability and research motivation of postgraduate nursing students in traditional Chinese medicine colleges

Aim

To investigate the relationship between research ability and research motivation of postgraduate nursing students in traditional Chinese medicine colleges and identify other factors that may have an impact on the research ability of postgraduate nursing students.

Design

A cross‐sectional electronic survey was used to collect data from 191 postgraduate nursing students.

Methods

A total of 191 postgraduate nursing students from seven traditional Chinese medicine colleges were investigated from October to November 2020 using self‐rated scales for research ability and research motivation. The relationship between the variables affecting the research ability of postgraduate nursing students in traditional Chinese medicine colleges was determined.

Results

There was a positive correlation between the score of self‐rated research ability and research motivation among 191 postgraduate nursing students in traditional Chinese medicine colleges. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that grade, research motivation, age and active participation in class discussions were the main factors affecting the self‐rated research ability.

Conclusion

The self‐rated research ability of postgraduate nursing students in traditional Chinese medicine colleges is positively correlated with research motivation. According to the research motivation orientation, adopting targeted training methods and establishing correct professional understanding may improve the research ability of postgraduate nursing students.

Self-Efficacy and Research Capacity of Clinical Nurses in China

BACKGROUND

Research capacity is essential to nursing profession development. Literature about the research capacity of Chinese nurses is scarce, especially regarding self-efficacy.

METHOD

A cross-sectional design with a cluster random sample of 780 clinical nurses was recruited from five tertiary hospitals in China. Self-reported data were collected with a Demographic Data Form, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Self-Rating Scale of Nurses' Research Capacity.

RESULTS

The majority (60.9%) of the nurses' research capacity was at a low level. A positive correlation was found between self-efficacy and research capacity among clinical nurses (r = .287, p < .01). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that educational level, self-efficacy, support level, and position were predictors that explained 31.9% of the variance of research capacity.

CONCLUSION

Chinese nurses' research capacity is insufficient. Educational level, self-efficacy, support level, and position contributed to nurses' research capacity. Nurse administrators should engage in improving Chinese nurses' self-efficacy to facilitate research capacity. It is necessary to develop continuing education to enhance Chinese nurses' research capacity. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2019;50(11):509-516.].