In reviewing the contents of high-ranking nursing journals recently, I noticed that articles written by scholars from around the world are common, a trend present also in the pages of Nursing Research. Often, Nursing Research articles represent a single study on a topic that contributes nicely to knowledge development in nursing. There is growing evidence of nursing scholars joining forces to conduct programs of research that have greater impact than is possible with a single study and to bridge international boundaries with programs of research. The supplement accompanying this issue of Nursing Research is likely to accelerate international nursing research.
The supplement to this issue "Knowledge Translation Research: Advances in Theory and Methods," edited by Alison Kitson, contains four core articles from Canadian research teams and related theory, synthesis, and commentary from authors in Australia, United Kingdom, and United States-three continents, four countries. A clearly stated agenda is intended to move the field of knowledge translation forward and provide a foundation for international collaboration.
The novel organization of the supplement permits reporting related research reports. Core content anchors the supplement with seminal research reports, and the systematic use of a model of knowledge translation provides cohesion and conceptual clarity to the content. It is often difficult to place related articles in a publication in a way that scholars can compare and contrast content, and this is one advantage of issuing a peer-reviewed supplement in a specific area.
Throughout the supplement, methods and analysis used show that international collaboration is becoming more and more feasible. The core articles are based on surveys of large numbers of nurses. Surveys of large dispersed samples with quality control for data entry and data management are relatively recent innovations in research. Advanced statistical techniques allow the analysis of multiple factors required in this area of research. These resources are readily available in many parts of the world today and serve to stimulate international research teams to tackle major issues not suited for study earlier.
In Carole Estabrooks' prologue, there is a strong appeal to nursing scholars to critique the research in the supplement and to build investigative teams with the capacity to conduct related research in multiple settings. It is likely that scholars will act on her invitation because the need to better understand knowledge translation in nursing and under various conditions is clearly present.
Employing this model for organizing large research efforts will spur international collaboration and further knowledge advancement. With this groundbreaking example, nursing journals are likely to publish more international research that will serve to lower intellectual barriers and promote knowledge development in this and other key areas.
Molly C. Dougherty, RN, PhD
Editor