Knowledge and Perception of Nursing Students in Nigeria towards Research: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Research is important and not new to nursing. Evidence suggests that nursing students must be involved in research from school. Despite this, research output in nursing from low and middle-income countries like Nigeria is low. Also, little is known about the knowledge and perception of nursing students in Nigeria towards research.
 Therefore, this study aimed at determining the level of knowledge of nursing students in Nigeria about research, assessing their perception regarding research while also investigating factors influencing their perception and finding out means to improve their perception.
 Aim: To assess the knowledge and perception of nursing students in Nigeria towards the conduct of research and to identify factors affecting their perception and strategies to improve on it.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study using an online survey/e-questionnaire was conducted among 422 Nigerian nursing students from the six geopolitical zones using a multistage sampling technique. Hypotheses were tested using chi-square at 0.05 level of significance.
 Results: The respondents had high, moderate, and low levels of research, 41(10%), 196(48%), 173(42%), respectively. The overall perception was positive, with 245(60%) respondents. Influencing research perception was lack of resources such as journals and funds (4.26±1.05). Appropriate teaching of research methodology, adequate training of students before conducting major research, and provision of resources such as institution’s/institutional databases (4.64±0.66), (4.63±0.72), (4.61±0.72) (respectively) were suggested to improve perception towards research. The academic level was significantly related to the e level of research knowledge with (x2=20.855, p=.022), at p< .050
 Conclusion: Since the perception towards research was good but knowledge level low, the following are recommended: appropriate teaching of research methodology for easy comprehension, adequate training before conducting research and provision of access to journals and funds for conducting research.