Examines peer review in the National Institutes of Health and in scholarly journals and discusses limitations--time, paperwork, subjectivity, limited resources, and increased instances of misconduct and unethical behavior. Suggests reforms: eliminate anonymity, use review specialists, have institutions monitor their own faculty, and conduct…

Increasing numbers of hospitals and medical centers employ clinical nurse researchers. Nursing doctoral programs can prepare graduates for this role with courses in philosophy and ethics; research methods, statistics, and measurement; grantsmanship; and information dissemination. (SK)

Changing demographics suggest that cultural diversity should be a key element in nursing and nursing education. A blueprint for the 21st century includes universal culture, culture support groups and mentoring, and a diverse critical mass of faculty, students, staff, and patients. (SK)

Using conference poster presentations in nursing education is a way to develop students' research-awareness skills and enthusiasm. The method highlights the relevance of research to practice and fosters essential research literacy. (SK)

Expectations of clinical-track nursing faculty involve scholarship of teaching or of practice. Faculty must embrace scholarship as part of their role and have the skills and resources to pursue it. At one school, a director of clinical scholarship provides support and resources for faculty research. (SK)

A feminist critique reveals varying degrees of androcentric and ethnocentric bias in the sparse nursing literature related to single-parent families. A sound research agenda that is for women and their children is needed. (Author/JOW)

Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of nursing care. However, it raises numerous dilemmas: lack of consistent conceptualization and a theoretical framework, lack of reliable measurement approaches, and inconsistency of instruments. (SK)

Describes the research priorities of the National Black Nurses Association: women's health issues, use of diverse populations in research trials, and transcultural and culturally competent health care. Discusses the knowledge gaps in nursing research and recommends that priorities be aimed at improving the health of African Americans and other…

A survey of 341 doctor of philosophy, 47 doctorate of nursing science, and 13 doctor of education nursing students found that Ph.D. candidates perceived a stronger research preparation, which they would not receive in the other two doctoral programs. They did not perceive the Ph.D. as preparing them to be educators, practitioners, or…

Depicts a cognitive model for analyzing historical data that merges processes of logical reasoning and creative and critical thinking. The strategies presented provide an intellectual framework for the structure of historical inquiry. (SK)

Graduate programs at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing are designed to enlarge students' knowledge of research and its relevance to their particular types of practice and to enhance students' precision in using the scientific approach to identify phenomena of concern and to solve nursing and health care problems. (Author)

Case studies depict dilemmas in nursing research involving protection of community rights and community informed consent. Outlines research guidelines derived from communitarian ethical frameworks that consider beneficence, justice, and respect for autonomy in the context of community. (Contains 58 references.) (SK)

Because competency in information literacy was considered important for future evidence-based practice, instructional modules on information literacy were integrated into five core nursing master's courses complemented by a web-based tutorial. Students' information literacy competencies were assessed at entry and 1-year intervals. (Contains 31…

A survey of 126 nurse educators in English nursing colleges found that 76% had studied research methods but few are involved in research activity outside formal academic courses. Age and length of teaching service were related to attitudes toward research. (SK)

On-campus and distance nursing students conducted research projects and presented student posters (Year 1) and research papers (Year 2). Evaluations by on-site (n=55) and off-site students (n=93) indicated that students valued their active participation in the research process and the opportunity to present their work. There was a clear preference…