Estabrooks, C. (2009). Mapping the Research Utilization Field in Nursing. The Canadian Journal of Nursing, 41(1), 218.

Format: Peer-reviewed article

Type: Research — Non-experimental

Experience level of reader: Fundamental

Annotation: Review of literature on research utilization and proposes that advances will come from a focused analysis of three foundations (scientific, historical, philosophical), on the synthesis of prior findings, determinants of utilization (individual and organizational, attributes of innovation), and policies facilitating use and the outcomes from use.

Setting(s) to which the reported activities/findings are relevant: Community, Government, University

Knowledge user(s) to whom the piece of literature may be relevant: Clinicians, Researchers

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Organization

This article uses the Commercial Devices and Services version of the NtK Model

• Organizational determinants of research utilization — characteristics of organizations and their operating units, and of relevant governance structures that influence the use of research findings in practice include: 1) organizational size, complexity; 2) administrative support; 3) access to research; 4) available time; 5) centralization of management; 6) presence of a research champion; 7) traditionalism; 8) organizational resource slack.
  Literature review in context of professional practice.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 1.D, KTA Step 2.C, KTA Step 2.D, Step 2.3

• Individual determinants of research utilization — personal characteristics that influence use of research findings in practice include: 1) a positive attitude toward research; 2) autonomy in action; 3) awareness of agency policy and educational level; 4) professional conference attendance; 5) cooperativeness and self-sufficiency; 6) job satisfaction; 7) involvement in work-related research activities; 8) time spend reading professional journals.
  Literature review in context of professional practice.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 1.C, KTA Step 1.D, KTA Step 2.C, KTA Step 2.D, Step 2.3