Visual media,attitude formation,and attitude change in nursing education

This research examined the effect of visual media on attitude formation and attitude change in nursing education from 1960 through 1982. Meta-analysis was used to obtain a quantitative index of effect. Screening of over 700 sources resulted in 70 potentially useful studies. Analysis of these studies, according to the established criteria, yielded a final pool of 16 studies. An estimate of the effect magnitude was calculated for each study, then averaged to determine the overall effect size index. Visual media had an effect size of 1.27 standard deviations —a large effect. In addition, several studies had assessed attitude retention; there was an effect size gain of.34 standard deviations. A number of conclusions may be drawn pertaining to the effect of visual media on attitude change and attitude change retention and the theoretical frameworks around which to design instruction, particularly visual media.