RESEARCH COMPETENCIES FOR DIFFERENTS LEVELS IN NURSING EDUCATION: A LATIN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the research competencies needed by nurses with bachelor, master and doctoral education. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive design; a survey was sent by email to 200 nurses with a 26% response rate. The instrument contains 33 items listing research competencies in the areas of knowledge, analysis, and application. Each item is rated on a scale with four levels that indicate the extent to which the respondents believe that the competency is needed by each level of formation. Content validity was assessed by experts in the subject area. Test-retest reliability was calculated using the percentage agreement method. Results: The greatest percentage of responses was obtained from Chile, followed by Mexico. A total of 82% of the responses were provided by nurses who were research professors or who guided theses. Competencies considered essential for nurses prepared at the bachelor level included knowledge of the steps of the research process and ability to conduct literature reviews. The main differences identified among the different levels of education were related to items about knowledge of the evolution and trends in nursing research, organizations that fund investigations, methods of data analysis, the use of computerized statistical programs, conduct and teaching
research, preparation of proposals, and publication. The ethical aspect was considered essential for all levels.
Conclusions: The respondents perceive differences in the competencies for the different levels of academic preparation.
The results of the study can guide the design of educational programs in nursing research.