Embedding Research in Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum: Exploring Students’ Skills, Perceptions, and Practices

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential in nursing education, yet many undergraduate students lack the confidence and methodological skills required to interpret and apply research in clinical decision-making.Limited exposure to research methods, inadequate mentorship, and the perception that research is disconnected from clinical care contribute to these gaps.The study aimed to assess undergraduate nursing students' perceived research skills, perceptions, and current research practices.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 24,640 UG nursing students from Tamil Nadu, India, across all four academic years.Data were collected using a validated questionnaire consisting of demographic details, perceived research skillset, perception, and attitude scale.These items measured students' perceived research skill and confidence, quantified using scores.Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Students demonstrated progressive improvement in perceived skills across academic years, with the highest gains observed in data collection tool preparation (9%), descriptive analysis (8.8%), and citation skills to avoid plagiarism (9.2%).Despite positive overall perceptions of research, notable gaps remained in database use, research design, sampling, and ethical understanding among early year students.Students also expressed strong preference for interactive learning, mentorship, and hands-on research exposure, highlighting the need for structured guidance, integration of research into clinical postings, and improved digital literacy training. Conclusion:Although research familiarity improves with academic progression, substantial methodological and practical skill deficits persist.Strengthening early research instruction, hands-on learning, faculty guidance, ethics training, and digital database competency is essential to enable nursing students to apply research effectively in clinical practice.