title: Psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire and primary healthcare nurses' attitudes towards research and use of research findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article investigates attitudes towards and awareness of research and use of research findings among primary healthcare nurses, determinants of attitudes and evaluation of psychometric properties of an instrument measuring nurses' attitudes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The production of new knowledge is ongoing and the amount of research of relevance for health care has increased, but there remains a gap between what is known and what is done in practice. To enhance evidence-based practice and patient safety, the use of research findings needs to be encouraged and promoted.
  
  
  METHODS
  An explanatory study using a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2005-2006. The survey included items about background data and the instrument attitudes towards and awareness of research and development in nursing. 1054 nurses participated in the study. Factor analyses and Cronbach's alpha were used to evaluate internal structure and internal consistency of the instrument.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nurses generally held positive attitudes towards research. Although most of the nurses reported using research in practice, 37% claimed that they never or rarely used research findings. Half of the respondents perceived they had the ability to analyse scientific reports/articles. This ability and research use were significant determinants of attitudes. Factor analysis of the scale resulted in a three-factor solution, which differs from the seven-factor structure previously identified by the originators of the instrument.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support the view that implementation of research is a complex process involving several factors. The different factor structure identified suggests that further work is needed on this instrument.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Utilization, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nilsson Kajermo
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alinaghizadeh
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wändell
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Törnkvist
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: attitudes; construct validity; factor analysis; instrument evaluation; nursing; research use