Nursing research in Iran and the world from the perspective of nursing professors: A qualitative study

Changes and evolution in health care systems, especially in nursing, are achieved through scientific researches. Research is essential for better implementing care and improving quality in clinical practice. Thus, this study aimed to explore nursing professors’ perceptions about research in nursing.

This qualitative study was carried out with conventional content analysis in Urmia nursing school in 2018. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. The data were collected through open and semi-structured interviews with 10 faculty members who had at least 4 years of experience. Six steps of conventional content analysis as described by Graneheim and Landman were used to analyze data.

After analyzing the data, the main categories were merged as “Research in nursing”.  The sub-categories included: a) The necessity of nursing research, b) Research status in Iran, c) Research status in the world.

Despite the many barriers to use research results, our study shows that participants in the study agree with the necessity of research in nursing. They want to use it in practice and make it develop. The comprehensive support of universities and hospitals for evidence-based nursing and the removal of barriers to nursing research will enhance the scientific knowledge of nursing and improve the quality of health services in the community and in hospitals.