Examination of Driving Forces Associated With Application of Conceptual and Theoretical Framework in Research by Nurse Educators in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Nigeria

Abstract: A conceptual framework (CF) provides researchers with the foundation to build their studies and a better understanding of the relationships among variables in the study. This study examined the influence of cf. related- knowledge, attitude, self-reported skills and organizational support as driving forces in application of cf. in research by nurse educators in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Nigeria. It involved a descriptive design, random selection of Schools of nursing, midwifery and psychiatric nursing from the two States and a convenience sample of 100 respondents representing 43.3 % of the target population of 231 nurse educators. From this number, 84 (84%) provided sufficient data for analysis. Instrument for data collection was a 23-item validated questionnaire and analysis of descriptive data involved mean and standard deviation while four null hypotheses were tested using population t-test determined at.05 level of significance. Results showed that females were 67 (79.8%) and males 17 (20.2%). The following variables had significant high influence as driving forces to the use of cf. in research: Knowledge (Cal.t-value=15.8;P=0.000); attitude (Cal.t-value=26.8;P=0.00); skills (Cal.t-value=17.3;P=0.00) and organizational support (Cal.t-value=16.7;P=0.00). In conclusion, factors identified as driving forces to enhance application of conceptual framework in research were: conceptual framework related knowledge, positive attitude and adequate skills in the application of conceptual an