[Trends in nursing research in Korea: research trends for studies published from the inaugural issue to 2010 in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and the journals published by member societies under Korean Academy of Nursing Science].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify trends for studies published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing and journals published by member societies from inaugural issues to 2010.


METHODS
A total of 6890 studies were analyzed using descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
Quantitative studies accounted for 83.6% while qualitative studies accounted for 14.4%. Most frequently used research designs were quasi-experimental (91.1%) for experimental research and survey (85.2%) for non-experimental research. Most frequent study participants were healthy people (35.8%), most frequent nursing interventions, nursing skills (53.5%), and 39.8% used knowledge, attitude and behavior outcomes for dependent variables. Most frequently used keyword was elderly. Survey studies decreased from 1991 to 2010 by approximately 50%, while qualitative studies increased by about 20%. True experimental research (1.2%) showed no significant changes. Studies focusing on healthy populations increased from 2001-2005 (37.5%) to 2006-2010 (41.0%). From 1970 to 2010, studies using questionnaire accounted for over 50% whereas physiological measurement, approximately 5% only. Experimental studies using nursing skill interventions increased from 1970-1980 (30.4%) to 2006-2010 (64.0%). No significant changes were noted in studies using knowledge, attitude and behavior (39.9%) as dependent variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that further expansion of true experimental, qualitative studies and physiological measurements are needed.
College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. machoe@snu.ac.kr.
Myoung Ae
MA
Choe
College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Nam Cho
NC
Kim
Department of Nursing, Semyung University, Jecheon, Korea.
Kyung Mi
KM
Kim
College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Jae
SJ
Kim
Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Kyung Sook
KS
Park
Division of Nursing Science, College of Health Science, Ewha Womans Univeristy, Seoul, Korea.
Young Soon
YS
Byeon
Department of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Rae
SR
Shin
College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Soo
S
Yang
Department of Nursing, Gangneung Wonju Natioanal University, Wonju, Korea.
Kyung Sook
KS
Lee
Graduate School of Public Health, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.
Eun Hyun
EH
Lee
College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
In Sook
IS
Lee
College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Tae Wha
TW
Lee
Department of Nursing, Dongeui University, Busan, Korea.
Myung Ok
MO
Cho
Korea Human Resource Development Institute for Health & Welfare, Osong, Korea.
Jin Hak
JH
Kim
D044466:Asian People; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends*; D011643:Publishing; D036301:Qualitative Research; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012107:Research Design
Korea; Nursing research; Trends