Medical-surgical nurses' utilization of research methods and products.

The purpose of this study was: (a) to describe the self-reported use of the methods and products of research by medical-surgical nurses, and (b) to identify attitudes toward the use of research-based knowledge in clinical nursing practice. Two hundred and twelve registered nurses completed the Research Utilization Questionnaire. Survey results indicated that it was difficult for respondents to change practice based on research. Nurses were willing to participate in research if investigations were relevant to practice. Articles from nursing research journals were ranked low by the respondents as sources of knowledge, while information gained from individual patients was ranked high.