Conducting Multisite Research Studies in Nursing Education: Brief Practice of CPR Skills as an Exemplar

Abstract

Few large, multisite studies have been conducted in nursing education, and literature pertaining to conducting those studies is lacking. We recently completed a randomized trial to examine the effects of brief practice on nursing students' retention of CPR psychomotor skills. The purpose of this article is to describe strategies for implementing a multisite study in nursing education, using our research as an exemplar. Strategies are presented for structuring a multisite study; selecting, preparing, and communicating with team members across sites; selecting sites; recruiting and retaining participants; managing the technical aspects of an intervention; and collecting and managing data. Ethical considerations also are explored.

Characteristics of multi-institutional health sciences education research: a systematic review

“…Transforming educational activities into high-quality scholarship that advances the field requires methodological skills and resources [ 9 , 11 , 25 , 26 ], but most health sciences faculty are not trained in educational or other social scientific research [ 27 ]. Investigators with educational research expertise can provide valuable resources to support educational scholarship.…”

“…Because some journals did not note the credentials of their authors or affiliations, it was possible that the true numbers of authors with advanced degrees or in these departments were higher. Because lack of research expertise has been identified as a major barrier to health sciences education research [ 26 , 28 , 29 ], multi-institutional collaborations and research networks may provide the support needed to overcome these obstacles.…”

Process Matters

“… 10 However, limited research budgets may impede the ability of researchers to submit multiple ethics applications and implement face-to-face recruitment methods. Oermann et al 11 indicated that streamlining the ethics process by identifying a main collections site with collaborators at other sites may decrease the necessary number of ethics applications. Involving individuals embedded in the recruitment setting as champions is another approach that researchers can use to yield more research participation.…”

“…Another strategy that might increase retention in future studies is the use of a certificate of participation for the participants after completion, which may increase incentive for participants to remain in a study once it has begun. 11 …”

Planning and managing a complex multisite study in the age of technology

“…Multisite studies offer possibilities otherwise not attainable in single‐site research projects. Studies conducted in one school of nursing and often with one cohort of student's present challenges with generalizability, homogeneity, and power analysis requirements . Multiple benefits exist in multisite studies, including larger sample sizes, quicker accrual of participants, and diversity of participants .…”