Instrument Development
Measuring Gerontological Research Intensity in Schools of Nursing

Research in Gerontological Nursing  Vol. 3 No. 2 April 2010

By Meridean L. Maas, PhD, RN, FAAN; Kathleen C. Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN; Vicki S. Conn, PhD, RN, FAAN; Toni Tripp-Reimer, PhD, RN, FAAN

ABSTRACT

Because of the urgent need for more gerontological nursing research, it is critical for more schools of nursing to develop research-intensive environments within which faculty can develop programs of gerontological nursing research. Unfortunately, many schools have limited resources for developing the needed infrastructures and for acquiring the required expertise in gerontology and research. Many also lack the expertise and methods for assessing their current status so they may increase their gerontological nursing research intensity. To help schools assess their status and gaps in the essentials required for a research-intensive environment and gerontological nursing research, an instrument was developed to measure benchmarks of research intensity; it is described in this article. Initial results of pilot testing of the instrument, the revised instrument, and plans for future research are presented. Uses of the instrument for assessing and strengthening a school’s research infrastructure and culture and for assisting with the development of faculty programs of gerontological nursing research are also discussed.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr. Maas is Professor Emerita and Co-Director, John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence; Dr. Buckwalter is Sally Mathis Hartwig Professor of Gerontological Nursing Research, Director, John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, Deputy Director, The University of Iowa Center on Aging, and Co-Principal Investigator, The University of Iowa Geriatric Education Center; and Dr. Tripp-Reimer is Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Co-Director, John A. Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Conn is Associate Dean for Research and Potter-Brinton Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia, Sinclair School of Nursing, Columbia, Missouri.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This project was funded by The University of Iowa College of Nursing Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center (National Institutes of Health 15P30 NR03979) and the John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (grant 2005-0099).

Address correspondence to Meridean L. Maas, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor Emerita and Co-Director, John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, 494 Nursing Building , Iowa City, IA 52242; e-mail: meridean-maas@uiowa.edu.

Received: February 13, 2009; Accepted: June 15, 2009; Posted: November 25, 2009

doi:10.3928/19404921-20091103-02