Objectives: To explore nurses` perception of barriers to research utilization.
Methods: A descriptive study was implemented. A total of 243 registered nurses in a public hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was selected using convenience sampling during the first quarter of 2013. The 29-item BARRIERS scale was used.
Results: The top 5 items were rated as great or moderate barriers were either setting- or nurse-related: `insufficient time to implement new ideas` (n=157, 64.6%); `nurse sees little benefit for self` (n=150, 61.7%); `nurse does not feel she/he has enough authority to change patient care procedures` (n=146 60.1%); `nurse is isolated from knowledgeable colleagues` (n=145; 59.7%); and `nurse does not have time to read research` (n=143, 58.8%).
Conclusion: Setting- and nurse-related items comprised the top 5 barriers. Motivation issues, and knowledge-translation issues appeared to be the themes drawn from this study. Further studies using both quantitative and qualitative methods are needed.