Clinical nurse researchersʹ perceptions of hospital nursing research committees: results of a national survey

A growing body of literature portrays sharpening controversy over the appropriate roles and functions of hospital nursing research committees (HNRCs). This descriptive study examined 139 clinical nurse researchersʹ experiences with HNRCs. Nurse researchers who were members of HNRCs had more positive attitudes towards HNRCs on all three scales of the HNRCQuestionnaire than nurses who were not members of HNRCs. Researchers who were prepared with Masterʹs degrees had more positive attitudes on the HNRC Role Scale than researchers with doctoral degrees. Narrative comments written on the questionnaire reflected a substantial diversity of opinions regarding HNRCs. The results suggest that novice, nondoctorally prepared researchers may perceive the assistance of some HNRCs as beneficial, whereas doctorally prepared researchers tend to perceive them as obstacles.