Abstract
There are many benefits to nurses conducting research, yet engagement in research by nurses working in clinical settings is limited. The aim of this study was to develop, trial and evaluate an organisational research capacity tool, informed by an evidence-based research capacity development framework and created to assess organisational readiness for supporting clinical nurses in research activities. Utilising a design and development research methodology the study was conducted in four phases, using multiple research methods. The developed tool established 132 indicators that support nursing research capacity development. These indicators were reduced to 21 questions and became the Organisation's Capacity for Nursing Research Development Assessment (OCNRDA) tool. Results indicate that some modifications to the processes of using the tool may improve the efficiency in using the tool. However, despite these suggested modifications the findings of this study demonstrated the practical value of the tool in organisational assessment through the identification of research facilitators and the potential for mitigation of research barriers. The tool also effectively raised awareness of research capacity development and prompted conversations about the future of research capacity development within the assessed organisation. In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of how organisations can identify their progress towards the development of nursing research capacity to support clinical nurses in research.