Developing a valid and reliable measure of research utilization

The specific objectives of the project were to: (1) to clarify and validate the construct of research utilization and (2) to develop observable indicators of research utilization, and (3) develop a set of items that measure research utilization. [...] Although a considerable understanding of the construct of research utilization has been acquired over the past thirty years, an assessment of the validity and reliability of research utilization measures has not been adequately addressed and remains an unresolved problem in the field. [...] Following this discussion, the expert panel produced: (1) a series of definitions of research utilization that guided subsequent focus groups with the direct and non-direct nursing care providers, (2) a revised diagram conceptualizing research utilization, and (3) a list of indicators of research utilization. [...] The definitions of conceptual and instrumental research utilization as well as the diagram illustrating these concepts were used in the focus groups with the non-direct and direct care nursing service providers in Phase 3 of the study. [...] The text units were coded close to the original statements and the codes were then merged into five categories: (1) international expert panel research utilization conceptual diagram, (2) definitions of research utilization (3) terminology used for research utilization, (4) examples of research utilization , and (5) indicators of research utilization.