Advancing Research, Writing, and Publishing in Nursing: Addressing Challenges and Improving Standards

Abstract

Nurses constitute nearly 50% of the worldwide health workforce, and the World Health Organisation has advocated for an enlargement of their roles to guarantee fair health care and address the increasing need for services. The growing specialization in nursing practice has led to a rise in educational options for nurses, including the growth of PhD programs. These programs play a crucial role in preparing nurse researchers and educators. This growth underlines the importance of evidence-based practice and high-quality academic writing in nursing. The article highlights the importance of nurses’ involvement in creating evidence-based practice guidelines. The active engagement of nurses in developing evidence-based practice recommendations is essential to ensure the practicality, relevance, and grounding of these guidelines in real-world clinical experiences. The advancement of nursing depends mainly on using rigorous research procedures to generate, analyze, and disseminate knowledge and data. The current article discusses essential research methodologies, including interviews, surveys, and bibliometric and altmetric analyses. It also aims to tackle concerns about inadequate writing skills, plagiarism, and insufficient comprehension of ethical norms in research and publishing. The recommended strategies to promote nursing research and publications encompass enhancing writing skills through specialized education, embracing open-access publishing, and utilizing social media for broader distribution following publication. Implementing these approaches would increase the quality and impact of nursing publications and reinforce nursing’s role in defining health policy and enhancing the care of patients.

INTRODUCTION

Globally, nurses constitute around 50% of the healthcare workforce. The World Health Organisation has urged broadening nurses’ scope of practice to facilitate fair and equal provision of healthcare and address the increasing need for health services.1,2 Over the past few decades, nursing practice has become more specialized, and nurses have gained more professional and scientific skills to meet the evolving demands of healthcare, advancements in technology, and enhanced educational options. Internationally, there has been considerable acknowledgment and acceptance of many nurses’ sophisticated skills and knowledge.3

Concurrently with the advancements in clinical practice, the educational prospects for nurses are broadening. The expansion of PhD programs in nursing has played a crucial role in educating an upcoming generation of nurse researchers and educators. PhD programs focusing on research are essential for training an adequate number of nursing scientists. These scientists are accountable for generating new information that can progress the art of nursing, enhance the level of medical care, influence medical policy, and benefit the well-being of all individuals.4,5 These programs equip nurses with the advanced knowledge and research skills necessary to make valuable contributions to the expanding community of evidence-based practice. The increasing focus on evidence-based treatment has underscored the significance of thorough research and the necessity for high-quality academic writing.6

As the need for evidence-based research continues to increase, there is a growing requirement that nurses not only consume research but also contribute to the literature on science.7 Producing high-quality articles in nursing has become crucial as it allows nurses to distribute their discoveries, discuss optimal methods, and enhance patient results internationally.8

AIM

The current article provides a literature review that focusses on nursing research. The article’s first objective is to provide a concise overview of nursing research methodologies. Furthermore, it aims to investigate and address the challenges faced in the research, writing, and publication processes within the nursing area. Another aim is to present crucial strategies to enhance the level of nursing research and publishing, thus fostering the progress of nursing science.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The relevant papers were acquired from MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and DOAJ using the keywords “Nursing research” and “Publishing,” or “Periodicals as topic” or “Ethics” or “Information processing.” Only English items that have been released before June 2024 were examined. No precise schedule was set. Articles that were repeatedly indexed in the databases were analyzed once. Articles not directly related to the topic were excluded. In addition, the authors undertook an exhaustive review of the references listed in the documents acquired using the search approach and chose the ones deemed pertinent. The screening technique was implemented based on the criteria outlined by Gasparyan et al.9 Research findings were integrated throughout the article.

MAIN RESEARCH METHODS IN NURSING

The progress of nursing relies heavily on the use of rigorous research methodologies to produce, analyze, and share data and knowledge. The primary research strategies in nursing encompass qualitative and quantitative approaches. Interviews, surveys, and complex analytical methods, including altmetric and bibliometric analyses, are essential for comprehending the education, knowledge, and abilities of nurses and their contribution to evidence-based practice.10,11,12

Interviews

Interviews are essential in qualitative nursing research since they thoroughly investigate the experiences, perspectives, and attitudes of nurses and patients. Interviews offer a comprehensive and contextual understanding of the experiences of healthcare professionals and recipients using structured, semi-structured, or unstructured approaches. This method is precious for comprehending the subtle difficulties that nurses encounter in clinical practice, evaluating the efficacy of nursing education programs, and assessing the individual and professional advancement of nurses. Interviews provide qualitative data that may be used to build particular interventions and educational initiatives, thus improving the general standard of healthcare.13,14

Surveys

Survey-based research is a growing and well-liked kind of study that seeks to gather and analyze the viewpoints of different groups of subjects over a specific duration. Survey-based research has maintained its social aspects and has become an essential instrument for examining understanding, mindsets, frequency of clinical issues, and practices in the area of health sciences. Surveys are now essential for monitoring and auditing health and education services and producing novel ideas and research topics.15,16 Surveys are a crucial research instrument in the field of nursing since they provide a methodical way of gathering data from large populations. Surveys may be utilized in medical education for nurses to gauge the efficacy of education programs, measure knowledge retention, and pinpoint clinical skill deficiencies. In addition, surveys provide valuable understanding regarding the enduring effects of educational interventions by systematically tracking the progression of nurses’ knowledge and abilities over an extended period.17

Bibliometric and altmetric analyses

Bibliometric and altmetric analyses have developed as important tools for measuring the impact and accessibility of nursing research in this age of digital technology. Bibliometric analyses encompass the quantitative evaluation of academic outputs, including the number of citations, journal impact factors, and collaboration links.18 This approach facilitates the identification of influential studies, emerging trends, and major contributors in the nursing area. Collectively, these studies offer a thorough perspective on the influence of nursing research on the discipline, its impact on clinical practice, and its role in leading future research endeavors.19

Over the past several years, improvements in the online distribution of information through different public platforms and academic networks have considerably sped up data transmission and researchers' involvement in worldwide discussions after publication.20 Therefore, new measures have been developed to assess the ‘societal effect’ of academic documents and offer the publishing industry more criteria for evaluating research. Altmetrics is a suggested word that aims to enhance conventional citation metrics and broaden the assessment of research. Altmetric investigates assess the digital visibility of research papers and the level of engagement on social media platforms. They offer up-to-date information on how research is being debated, shared, and utilized by both experts and the general public. In addition to conventional citation measures, this methodology provides a more comprehensive perspective on the social influence of nursing research.21,22

Involvement of nurses in drafting evidence-based practice guidelines

Nurses’ active participation in creating evidence-based practice recommendations is crucial to guarantee these guidelines’ practicality, relevance, and foundation of real-life clinical experiences. Nurses, with their frontline viewpoint, provide valuable insight into the development of evidence-based practice guidance. Their participation guarantees that the suggestions are not only based on solid scientific principles but are also practical and feasible in various clinical environments. The procedure frequently entails conducting comprehensive literature reviews, rigorously evaluating evidence, and fostering consensus across diverse teams. Nurses’ contribution helps to connect the research findings with practical applications, ensuring that the most up-to-date information is successfully translated into actionable care protocols. This, in turn, leads to improved patient outcomes.23,24

ISSUES WITH QUALITY WRITING SKILLS, PLAGIARISM, AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF ETHICS NORMS IN WRITING AND PUBLISHING

The increasing number of research and academic work in nursing has raised some crucial concerns that might weaken the discipline’s integrity and influence. The primary concerns are the quality of writing, the widespread occurrence of plagiarism, and a general deficiency in comprehension of ethical standards in writing and publishing. These challenges not only put the reputation of individual researchers at risk but also threaten the general progress of nursing as a scientific field.

Quality writing skills

In every field of research, including nursing, the act of sharing new scientific knowledge through publishing is a crucial element to guarantee advancement and progress.25 Enhancing the research abilities of nursing students is crucial as it holds the potential to make significant contributions to the field of nursing science, particularly in the realm of evidence-based nursing.26 A primary obstacle nurses and nurse researchers encounter is the requirement for high-quality writing proficiency. Communicating research findings and therapeutic insights successfully requires writing in a clear, succinct, and well-structured manner. Nevertheless, several nurses, particularly those shifting from clinical practice to academia or research, encounter the challenges associated with academic writing.27

Typical issues encompass challenges in structuring hypotheses, improper utilization of specialized terminologies, insufficient English skills, and struggles adhering to academic writing norms. Furthermore, scientific writing frequently necessitates a high degree of critical evaluation and integration of material, which may not be commonly employed in clinical environments. Consequently, poorly written publications might result in the misunderstanding of findings, diminished impact of the study, and eventually rejection from peer-reviewed journals.28,29

To address these difficulties, there is an increasing demand for specialized training programs in scientific writing that are designed to meet nurse researchers’ requirements. These programs should prioritize cultivating fundamental writing abilities like grammar, organization, and consistency while addressing more sophisticated skills like argumentation and critical assessment. Mentoring is valuable in assisting inexperienced authors in enhancing the caliber of their writing prior to submitting it for publication.30

Plagiarism

Plagiarism refers to the unauthorized use or theft of someone else’s scientific works, including academic papers, investigation methods, visuals, and theories.31 Similar to other fields, plagiarism may arise either deliberately or inadvertently in nursing, stemming from a lack of awareness or comprehension of the concept.32

The global scientific community defines plagiarism as a severe violation that must be promptly, entirely, and comprehensively eliminated, leaving no room for dispute.33 Particular academics argue that cultural and language obstacles might influence the occurrence of plagiarism in academic writings. Inadequate experience is a further major issue. Additionally, journal editors may face budgetary challenges that might restrict their ability to obtain sophisticated anti-plagiarism tools.34,35

Plagiarism may have severe repercussions, including harm to the author’s credibility, legal ramifications, and the retraction of the published paper. Plagiarism erodes the trustworthiness of research, diminishes the worth of genuine contributions, and can detrimentally affect the quality of evidence-based nursing practice.36

To reduce the likelihood of plagiarism, nursing education programs must prioritize academic integrity and offer thorough instruction on the correct methods of citing and referencing sources. Educational programs that raise awareness about plagiarism will also be beneficial. Furthermore, the utilization of plagiarism detection software may assist authors in recognizing possible issues before submission, guaranteeing that their work complies with ethical principles.34

Lack of knowledge of ethical norms

A major obstacle is the insufficient comprehension of ethical norms in nursing writing and publication. Ethical writing extends beyond just plagiarism avoidance and comprises a variety of behaviors aimed at upholding the integrity and transparency of research. Common ethical issues encompass improper attribution of authorship, manipulation or fabrication of data, improper peer review processes, absence of ethics committee endorsement, and neglect to acquire participant consent. Furthermore, techniques such as salami slicing (dividing study findings into numerous smaller publications) and duplicate publishing can undermine the integrity of the scientific record and mislead readers.37,38

Nurse researchers should possess knowledge of the ethical standards established by professional organizations and academic journals. These standards frequently encompass a broad spectrum of subjects, including criteria for authorship, roles in peer review, and methods for managing data. Acquaintance with these criteria is essential for upholding the credibility of nursing research and ensuring that the published work contributes constructively to the existing knowledge in the area.39

STRATEGY FOR ADVANCING WRITING SKILLS AND RAISING PUBLICATION STANDARDS IN NURSING JOURNALS

Integrating evidence-based medicine into scholarly writing

It is necessary to motivate nursing researchers to base their study questions and hypotheses on the existing evidence, employing comprehensive procedures to provide high-quality data. This technique enhances both the scientific foundation and the credibility and practicality of the outcomes. Participating in writing workshops and educational programs that specifically target evidence-based medicine can provide nursing researchers with the essential abilities to analyze literature in a critical manner, integrate evidence, and effectively communicate their results within the framework of current knowledge.40 In addition, nursing journals should prioritize publications that exhibit a distinct dedication to evidence-based medicine and emphasize research that enhances the advancement of optimal practices in clinical care. By implementing this approach, journals can ensure that the published material is both scientifically rigorous and highly applicable, eventually resulting in enhancements in clinical results.41

Developing advanced writing skills

Targeted educational events and workshops focused on advanced writing abilities may be highly influential in this particular environment. The programs should encompass several subjects, such as the format and arrangement of scholarly papers, the employment of appropriate language, and strategies for presenting facts and arguments efficiently. In addition, mentorship programs that match inexperienced researchers with seasoned researchers may offer significant direction and comments, enhancing writing abilities and improving the quality of manuscripts.42,43

Peer review is a beneficial tool for enhancing writing quality. Through engaging in the peer review process, nurse researchers can acquire a valuable understanding of frequent writing errors and learn techniques to enhance the quality of their work, both as writers and reviewers.44

Nursing schools may help build a research and academic writing culture among undergraduate nursing students by including research-oriented courses and emphasizing writing skill development. Integrating evidence-based practice, research methodology, and scholarly writing into nursing programs can help nurses build a solid knowledge of scientific inquiry early on in their study.45

Embracing open-access publishing

The open-access publication is an efficient way to enhance the visibility and influence of nursing research. It allows the unrestricted availability of research to a worldwide audience, ensuring that significant discoveries are not limited by subscription fees and can be readily accessible by medical professionals, instructors, policymakers, and the general public.46

Nursing journals have the potential to significantly contribute to the improvement of publishing standards by embracing open-access formats. This method not only makes information more accessible to everyone but also promotes increased citation rates and greater involvement with published work. In order to promote this alteration, it is advisable to motivate institutions and funding organizations to finance open-access publication costs to ensure that it becomes a feasible choice for all researchers.47

Post-publication promotion via social media

In the internet era, the distribution of research findings is not complete at publication. Engaging in post-publication promotion, particularly via social media platforms, is essential for enhancing the dissemination and influence of nursing research. Social media platforms give authors distinct options to disseminate their work to a broad and varied audience.48

It is important to motivate nurse researchers to actively participate in promoting their work on social media platforms. This includes sharing their articles, discussing their results, and engaging in relevant online groups. This enhances the prominence of their work and enables networking with other scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders in the subject.49 Journals may enhance these endeavors by offering authors assistance on efficient social media approaches and actively endorsing published papers through their own social media platforms. Visual summaries, informational graphics, and multimedia materials can augment the attraction and straightforwardness of understanding research findings, increasing the probability of their online dissemination and discussion.50

Strategies to improve writing skills and increase publication standards in nursing journals are summarized in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Strategies to improve writing skills and increase publication standards in nursing journals.

CONCLUSION

As nurses play a more prominent role in scientific production, addressing the difficulties associated with writing, publishing, and ethical norms is crucial. Specific endeavors such as enhancing writing proficiency through education and mentorships, prioritizing academic integrity, and leveraging open access and social media platforms for broader influence will be necessary to enhance the quality and distribution of nursing research. Implementing these strategies would not only enhance the quality of nursing publications but also strengthen nursing’s influence in shaping health policy and improving patient outcomes.