Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Research Activities and Utilization: A Turkish Sample

Abstract

DOI: 10.5294/aqui.2014.14.2.11

Objective: The aim of this study was determine undergraduate nursing students’ research activities and utilization. Method: A descriptive design was used in the study. This study conducted with undergraduate nursing students at the two universities in Turkey during the spring term of 2012. The population consisted of 216 participants. The data were collected through a questionnaire developed by the author based on literature. The Percentage, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to evaluate the collected data. Results: Approximately half of the students (49,5%) knew how to reach scientific publications but none of the students followed or read scientific publications. Only a few students (4,2%) had participated in a scientific research activity. It was found that 87,0% of the students did not utilize the research findings in clinical practice. Of 216 students, 34,4% did not know how to utilize the research findings. Conclusions: The majority of the students did not utilize the research findings in clinical practice. Insufficient knowledge about research utilization was the most prominent reason for not utilizing research findings by students. It is suggested that students should be encouraged and supported to utilize research findings and conduct research. DOI: 10.5294/aqui.2014.14.2.11