Denise Erin Pasieka

A History of the Evolution of Nursing Research in the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta from 1980 to 1998 by Denise Erin Pasieka A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing Faculty of Nursing University of Alberta © Denise Erin Pasieka, 2017 ii Abstract The purpose of this study was to trace the historical evolution of nursing research at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta between 1980 and 1998. The questions that guided this study were: What were the trends in nursing research, specifically what type of questions were studied and what research methods were utilized by researchers between 1980 and 1998? What contextual factors, internal and external, influenced the development of nursing research? What roles did key leaders play to foster a climate conducive to research pursuits and in accessing/developing funding opportunities for nursing research? Historical methods were used to answer these questions. The primary data sources used in this study included eleven faculty produced scholarly reports on research and scholarly activities, which were supplemented with secondary data. In the reports there were 1180 listed publications (90 missing). This included 283 research- based articles, 118 non-research articles, 217 conference proceedings, 189 books/book chapters, and 221 editorials and other written work. The results showed the research production increased over time, that research topics shifted towards a clinical foci, that research methods became more sophisticated with an almost equal use of qualitative and quantitative methods by the late 1990s, that the majority of researchers in the Faculty of Nursing worked in research teams, and that there was a shift from publishing in minor nursing journals to major, international nursing journals over time. The evolution of nursing research in the Faculty of Nursing did not occur in isolation and there were contextual elements that influenced the evolution of research. The external influences included a professional focus on nursing research by key organizations, the emerging status of nursing research at that time, research funding including the establishment of iii nursing specific supports, and networking. Internal influences included the scholarly reports, the nursing graduate programs including the establishment of the first Canadian doctoral program, and key individuals. The key individuals, which included Drs. Jannetta MacPhail, Marilyn Wood, and Shirley Stinson, were resourceful and steadfast in their convictions that nursing research was a natural progression for the profession of nursing. It was through their actions in their various roles that one can note how they approached and advocated for the growth of nursing research and the development of nurse researchers alike. Finally, the results indicate that nursing research would not be where it is today without the tenacity of these pioneers of nursing research. iv Preface This thesis is an original work by Denise Erin Pasieka. No part of this thesis has been previously published. v Dedication This thesis work is dedicated to my husband, Jeremy, who has been a constant source of support and encouragement during the challenges of graduate school and life. I do not have the words to express how truly thankful I am that you are in my life. This work is also dedicated to my two sons, Owen and Liam. The two of you inspire me daily to work hard for the things that I aspire to achieve. Your visits at Starbucks, your warm hugs, and how you hid pictures in my thesis files made me smile when it was needed most. vi Acknowledgement I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Pauline Paul for the continuous support of my graduate studies and thesis; and for her patience, motivation, and immense knowledge. Your words of encouragement and feedback kept me going even when it was difficult. In addition to my supervisor, I would like to thank Drs. Joanne Olson and Joanne Profetto-McGrath for their insightful comments, editing suggestions, and encouragement. You both inspire me to better my writing. I would also like to thank the Canadian Association for the History of Nursing for their generosity in supporting my research. And finally, my sincerest thanks to the nursing pioneers before me that tirelessly promoted the idea of nursing research thus making this thesis a reality. vii Table of Contents Chapter I: Introduction and Purpose ................................................................................... 1 The Profession and the Discipline ................................................................................... 2 Problem Statement and Study Significance .................................................................... 3 Research Questions...................................................................................................... 4 Chapter II: Literature Review ............................................................................................. 6 Search Method ................................................................................................................. 7 Background ..................................................................................................................... 8 Nursing Research in the United States ........................................................................ 8 Nursing Research in Canada...................................................................................... 13 Time Lag: The Impact of Higher Education ................................................................. 16 Nurse Education Reports ........................................................................................... 17 Literature Review: Notable Influences on the Evolution of Nursing Research ............ 20 Gender Roles, Society, and Education .......................................................................... 20 Graduate Nursing Education ..................................................................................... 23 Key Nursing Journal Publications ............................................................................. 24 Topic Choice, Research Productivity, and Methods ................................................. 27 Research Centers and Funding .................................................................................. 31 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 33 Chapter III: Methods ......................................................................................................... 35 The Approach ................................................................................................................ 35 Data Sources and Collection Methods .......................................................................... 36 Primary Data .............................................................................................................. 36 Secondary Data .......................................................................................................... 39 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 41 Ethics ......................................................................................................................... 42 Chapter IV: Faculty Profile ............................................................................................... 43 The Faculty of Nursing ................................................................................................. 44 1980/81 to 1983/84 .................................................................................................... 44 1984/85 to 1988/89 .................................................................................................... 49 1989/90 to 1993/94 .................................................................................................... 55 viii 1994/95 to 1998/99 .................................................................................................... 62 Summary and Additional Analysis ............................................................................... 69 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 72 Chapter V: Faculty Produced Reports on Research Activities ......................................... 73 Report One: 1980 – 1984 .............................................................................................. 73 Dean’s Message ......................................................................................................... 73 Faculty Awards .......................................................................................................... 75 Funding ...................................................................................................................... 77 Listed Research Productivity ..................................................................................... 78 Report Two: 1985 – 1987 .............................................................................................. 79 Dean’s Message ......................................................................................................... 79 Faculty Awards .......................................................................................................... 80 Funding .....................................................................................................................

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