ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim was to describe how a group of nurses in clinical practice perceived nursing research and research utilization.
Background: Swedish nurses are expected to implement results of nursing research in nursing action. Previous research shows however variousdifficulties in the utilization of research, due to shortcomings in education, absence of methods in clinical settings and lack of support fromsupervisors. However, the perception of clinical nurses regarding nursing research and research utilization is important to gain more understanding.
Methods: A qualitative description was adopted. Nine clinical nurses were interviewed and the transcripts analyzed according to given methodological steps.
Findings: The result shows that the nurses have a «in principle» attitude towards nursing research and research utilization. In general termsnurses perceive nursing research as important and significant, but due to anecdotic experiences it is not important just for them and in their specific nursing practice.
Conclusions: We argue that this «in principal» perception has a relevance when the question of research utilization is addressed. In nursing professions everyone