Research for Evidence Based Practice

Characteristics of Qualitative Descriptive Studies: A Systematic Review

Hyejin Kim, MSN, CRNP, Doctoral Candidate, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Justine S. Sefcik, and MS, RN, Doctoral Candidate, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Christine Bradway PhD, CRNP, FAAN, Associate Professor of Gerontological Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Abstract

Qualitative description (QD) is a term that is widely used to describe qualitative studies of health

care and nursing-related phenomena. However, limited discussions regarding QD are found in the

existing literature. In this systematic review, we identified characteristics of methods and findings

reported in research articles published in 2014 whose authors identified the work as QD. After

searching and screening, data were extracted from the sample of 55 QD articles and examined to

characterize research objectives, design justification, theoretical/philosophical frameworks,

sampling and sample size, data collection and sources, data analysis, and presentation of findings.

In this review, three primary findings were identified. First, despite inconsistencies, most articles

included characteristics consistent with limited, available QD definitions and descriptions. Next,

flexibility or variability of methods was common and desirable for obtaining rich data and

achieving understanding of a phenomenon. Finally, justification for how a QD approach was

chosen and why it would be an appropriate fit for a particular study was limited in the sample and,

therefore, in need of increased attention. Based on these findings, recommendations include

encouragement to researchers to provide as many details as possible regarding the methods of their

QD study so that readers can determine whether the methods used were reasonable and effective in

producing useful findings.

Keywords

qualitative description; qualitative research; systematic review

Qualitative description (QD) is a label used in qualitative research for studies which are

descriptive in nature, particularly for examining health care and nursing-related phenomena

(Polit & Beck, 2009, 2014). QD is a widely cited research tradition and has been identified

Corresponding Author, Hyejin Kim, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd. Philadelphia, PA, 19104; [email protected]; Telephone: 215-746-8490; Fax 215-573-7507.

Conflict of Interest Statement The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

HHS Public Access Author manuscript Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.

Published in final edited form as: Res Nurs Health. 2017 February ; 40(1): 23–42. doi:10.1002/nur.21768.

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as important and appropriate for research questions focused on discovering the who, what,

and where of events or experiences and gaining insights from informants regarding a poorly

understood phenomenon. It is also the label of choice when a straight description of a

phenomenon is desired or information is sought to develop and refine questionnaires or

interventions (Neergaard et al., 2009; Sullivan-Bolyai et al., 2005).

Despite many strengths and frequent citations of its use, limited discussions regarding QD

are found in qualitative research textbooks and publications. To the best of our knowledge,

only seven articles include specific guidance on how to design, implement, analyze, or report

the results of a QD study (Milne & Oberle, 2005; Neergaard, Olesen, Andersen, &

Sondergaard, 2009; Sandelowski, 2000, 2010; Sullivan-Bolyai, Bova, & Harper, 2005;

Vaismoradi, Turunen, & Bondas, 2013; Willis, Sullivan-Bolyai, Knafl, & Zichi-Cohen,

2016). Furthermore, little is known about characteristics of QD as reported in journal-

published, nursing-related, qualitative studies. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic

review was to describe specific characteristics of methods and findings of studies reported in

journal articles (published in 2014) self-labeled as QD. In this review, we did not have a goal

to judge whether QD was done correctly but rather to report on the features of the methods

and findings.

Features of QD

Several QD design features and techniques have been described in the literature. First,

researchers generally draw from a naturalistic perspective and examine a phenomenon in its

natural state (Sandelowski, 2000). Second, QD has been described as less theoretical

compared to other qualitative approaches (Neergaard et al., 2009), facilitating flexibility in

commitment to a theory or framework when designing and conducting a study

(Sandelowski, 2000, 2010). For example, researchers may or may not decide to begin with a

theory of the targeted phenomenon and do not need to stay committed to a theory or

framework if their investigations take them down another path (Sandelowski, 2010). Third,

data collection strategies typically involve individual and/or focus group interviews with

minimal to semi-structured interview guides (Neergaard et al., 2009; Sandelowski, 2000).

Fourth, researchers commonly employ purposeful sampling techniques such as maximum

variation sampling which has been described as being useful for obtaining broad insights

and rich information (Neergaard et al., 2009; Sandelowski, 2000). Fifth, content analysis

(and in many cases, supplemented by descriptive quantitative data to describe the study

sample) is considered a primary strategy for data analysis (Neergaard et al., 2009;

Sandelowski, 2000). In some instances thematic analysis may also be used to analyze data;

however, experts suggest care should be taken that this type of analysis is not confused with

content analysis (Vaismoradi et al., 2013). These data analysis approaches allow researchers

to stay close to the data and as such, interpretation is of low-inference (Neergaard et al.,

2009), meaning that different researchers will agree more readily on the same findings even

if they do not choose to present the findings in the same way (Sandelowski, 2000). Finally,

representation of study findings in published reports is expected to be straightforward,

including comprehensive descriptive summaries and accurate details of the data collected,

and presented in a way that makes sense to the reader (Neergaard et al., 2009; Sandelowski,

2000).

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It is also important to acknowledge that variations in methods or techniques may be

appropriate across QD studies (Sandelowski, 2010). For example, when consistent with the

study goals, decisions may be made to use techniques from other qualitative traditions, such

as employing a constant comparative analytic approach typically associated with grounded

theory (Sandelowski, 2000).

Methods

Search Strategy and Study Screening

The PubMed electronic database was searched for articles written in English and published

from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, using the terms, “qualitative descriptive study,”

“qualitative descriptive design,” and “qualitative description,” combined with “nursing.”

This specific publication year, “2014,” was chosen because it was the most recent full year

at the time of beginning this systematic review. As we did not intend to identify trends in

QD approaches over time, it seemed reasonable to focus on the nursing QD studies

published in a certain year. The inclusion criterion for this review was data-based, nursing-

related, research articles in which authors used the terms QD, qualitative descriptive study,

or qualitative descriptive design in their titles or abstracts as well as in the main texts of the

publication.

All articles yielded through an initial search in PubMed were exported into EndNote X7

(Thomson Reuters, 2014), a reference management software, and duplicates were removed.

Next, titles and abstracts were reviewed to determine if the publication met inclusion

criteria; all articles meeting inclusion criteria were then read independently in full by two

authors (HK and JS) to determine if the terms – QD or qualitative descriptive study/design –

were clearly stated in the main texts. Any articles in which researchers did not specifically

state these key terms in the main text were then excluded, even if the terms had been used in

the study title or abstract. In one article, for example, although “qualitative descriptive

study” was reported in the published abstract, the researchers reported a “qualitative

exploratory design” in the main text of the article (Sundqvist & Carlsson, 2014); therefore,

this article was excluded from our review. Despite the possibility that there may be other QD

studies published in 2014 that were not labeled as such, to facilitate our screening process

we only included articles where the researchers clearly used our search terms for their

approach. Finally, the two authors compared, discussed, and reconciled their lists of articles

with a third author (CB).

Study Selection

Initially, although the year 2014 was specifically requested, 95 articles were identified (due

to ahead of print/Epub) and exported into the EndNote program. Three duplicate

publications were removed and the 20 articles with final publication dates of 2015 were also

excluded. The remaining 72 articles were then screened by examining titles, abstracts, and

full-texts. Based on our inclusion criteria, 15 (of 72) were then excluded because QD or QD

design/study was not identified in the main text. We then re-examined the remaining 57

articles and excluded two additional articles that did not meet inclusion criteria (e.g., QD

was only reported as an analytic approach in the data analysis section). The remaining 55

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publications met inclusion criteria and comprised the sample for our systematic review (see

Figure 1).

Of the 55 publications, 23 originated from North America (17 in the United States; 6 in

Canada), 12 from Asia, 11 from Europe, 7 from Australia and New Zealand, and 2 from

South America. Eleven studies were part of larger research projects and two of them were

reported as part of larger mixed-methods studies. Four were described as a secondary

analysis.

Quality Appraisal Process

Following the identification of the 55 publications, two authors (HK and JS) independently

examined each article using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative

checklist (CASP, 2013). The CASP was chosen to determine the general adequacy (or rigor)

of the qualitative studies included in this review as the CASP criteria are generic and intend

to be applied to qualitative studies in general. In addition, the CASP was useful because we

were able to examine the internal consistency between study aims and methods and between

study aims and findings as well as the usefulness of findings (CASP, 2013). The CASP

consists of 10 main questions with several sub-questions to consider when making a

decision about the main question (CASP, 2013). The first two questions have reviewers

examine the clarity of study aims and appropriateness of using qualitative research to

achieve the aims. With the next eight questions, reviewers assess study design, sampling,

data collection, and analysis as well as the clarity of the study’s results statement and the

value of the research. We used the seven questions and 17 sub-questions related to methods

and statement of findings to evaluate the articles. The results of this process are presented in

Table 1.

Once articles were assessed by the two authors independently, all three authors discussed

and reconciled our assessment. No articles were excluded based on CASP results; rather,

results were used to depict the general adequacy (or rigor) of all 55 articles meeting

inclusion criteria for our systematic review. In addition, the CASP was included to enhance

our examination of the relationship between the methods and the usefulness of the findings

documented in each of the QD articles included in this review.

Process for Data Extraction and Analysis

To further assess each of the 55 articles, data were extracted on: (a) research objectives, (b)

design justification, (c) theoretical or philosophical framework, (d) sampling and sample

size, (e) data collection and data sources, (f) data analysis, and (g) presentation of findings

(see Table 2). We discussed extracted data and identified common and unique features in the

articles included in our systematic review. Findings are described in detail below and in

Table 3.

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Findings

Quality Appraisal Results

Justification for use of a QD design was evident in close to half (47.3%) of the 55

publications. While most researchers clearly described recruitment strategies (80%) and data

collection methods (100%), justification for how the study setting was selected was only

identified in 38.2% of the articles and almost 75% of the articles did not include any reason

for the choice of data collection methods (e.g., focus-group interviews). In the vast majority

(90.9%) of the articles, researchers did not explain their involvement and positionality

during the process of recruitment and data collection or during data analysis (63.6%).

Ethical standards were reported in greater than 89% of all articles and most articles included

an in-depth description of data analysis (83.6%) and development of categories or themes

(92.7%). Finally, all researchers clearly stated their findings in relation to research questions/

objectives. Researchers of 83.3% of the articles discussed the credibility of their findings

(see Table 1).

Research Objectives

In statements of study objectives and/or questions, the most frequently used verbs were

“explore” (n = 22) and “describe” (n = 17). Researchers also used “identify” (n = 3),

“understand” (n = 4), or “investigate” (n = 2). Most articles focused on participants’

experiences related to certain phenomena (n = 18), facilitators/challenges/factors/reasons (n = 14), perceptions about specific care/nursing practice/interventions (n = 11), and

knowledge/attitudes/beliefs (n = 3).

Design Justification

A total of 30 articles included references for QD. The most frequently cited references (n =

23) were “Whatever happened to qualitative description?” (Sandelowski, 2000) and “What’s

in a name? Qualitative description revisited” (Sandelowski, 2010). Other references cited

included “Qualitative description – the poor cousin of health research?” (Neergaard et al.,

2009), “Reaching the parts other methods cannot reach: an introduction to qualitative

methods in health and health services research” (Pope & Mays, 1995), and general research

textbooks (Polit & Beck, 2004, 2012).

In 26 articles (and not necessarily the same as those citing specific references to QD),

researchers provided a rationale for selecting QD. Most researchers chose QD because this

approach aims to produce a straight description and comprehensive summary of the

phenomenon of interest using participants’ language and staying close to the data (or using

low inference).

Authors of two articles distinctly stated a QD design, yet also acknowledged grounded-

theory or phenomenological overtones by adopting some techniques from these qualitative

traditions (Michael, O'Callaghan, Baird, Hiscock, & Clayton, 2014; Peacock, Hammond-

Collins, & Forbes, 2014). For example, Michael et al. (2014, p. 1066) reported:

The research used a qualitative descriptive design with grounded theory overtones

(Sandelowski, 2000). We sought to provide a comprehensive summary of

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participants’ views through theoretical sampling; multiple data sources (focus

groups [FGs] and interviews); inductive, cyclic, and constant comparative analysis;

and condensation of data into thematic representations (Corbin & Strauss, 1990,

2008).

Authors of four additional articles included language suggestive of a grounded-theory or

phenomenological tradition, e.g., by employing a constant comparison technique or

translating themes stated in participants’ language into the primary language of the

researchers during data analysis (Asemani et al., 2014; Li, Lee, Chen, Jeng, & Chen, 2014;

Ma, 2014; Soule, 2014). Additionally, Li et al. (2014) specifically reported use of a

grounded-theory approach.

Theoretical or Philosophical Framework

In most (n = 48) articles, researchers did not specify any theoretical or philosophical

framework. Of those articles in which a framework or philosophical stance was included, the

authors of five articles described the framework as guiding the development of an interview

guide (Al-Zadjali, Keller, Larkey, & Evans, 2014; DeBruyn, Ochoa-Marin, & Semenic,

2014; Fantasia, Sutherland, Fontenot, & Ierardi, 2014; Ma, 2014; Wiens, Babenko-Mould, &

Iwasiw, 2014). In two articles, data analysis was described as including key concepts of a

framework being used as pre-determined codes or categories (Al-Zadjali et al., 2014; Wiens

et al., 2014). Oosterveld-Vlug et al. (2014) and Zhang, Shan, and Jiang (2014) discussed a

conceptual model and underlying philosophy in detail in the background or discussion

section, although the model and philosophy were not described as being used in developing

interview questions or analyzing data.

Sampling and Sample Size

In 38 of the 55 articles, researchers reported ‘purposeful sampling’ or some derivation of

purposeful sampling such as convenience (n = 10), maximum variation (n = 8), snowball (n = 3), and theoretical sampling (n = 1). In three instances (Asemani et al., 2014; Chan &

Lopez, 2014; Soule, 2014), multiple sampling strategies were described, for example, a

combination of snowball, convenience, and maximum variation sampling. In articles where

maximum variation sampling was employed, “variation” referred to seeking diversity in

participants’ demographics (n = 7; e.g., age, gender, and education level), while one article

did not include details regarding how their maximum variation sampling strategy was

operationalized (Marcinowicz, Abramowicz, Zarzycka, Abramowicz, & Konstantynowicz,

2014). Authors of 17 articles did not specify their sampling techniques.

Sample sizes ranged from 8 to 1,932 with nine studies in the 8–10 participant range and 24

studies in the 11–20 participant range. The participant range of 21–30 and 31–50 was

reported in eight articles each. Six studies included more than 50 participants. Two of these

articles depicted quite large sample sizes (N=253, Hart & Mareno, 2014; N=1,932, Lyndon

et al., 2014) and the authors of these articles described the use of survey instruments and

analysis of responses to open-ended questions. This was in contrast to studies with smaller

sample sizes where individual interviews and focus groups were more commonly employed.

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Data Collection and Data Sources

In a majority of studies, researchers collected data through individual (n = 39) and/or focus-

group (n = 14) interviews that were semistructured. Most researchers reported that

interviews were audiotaped (n = 51) and interview guides were described as the primary data

collection tool in 29 of the 51 studies. In some cases, researchers also described additional

data sources, for example, taking memos or field notes during participant observation

sessions or as a way to reflect their thoughts about interviews (n = 10). Written responses to

open-ended questions in survey questionnaires were another type of data source in a small

number of studies (n = 4).

Data Analysis

The analysis strategy most commonly used in the QD studies included in this review was

qualitative content analysis (n = 30). Among the studies where this technique was used, most

researchers described an inductive approach; researchers of two studies analyzed data both

inductively and deductively. Thematic analysis was adopted in 14 studies and the constant

comparison technique in 10 studies. In nine studies, researchers employed multiple

techniques to analyze data including qualitative content analysis with constant comparison

(Asemani et al., 2014; DeBruyn et al., 2014; Holland, Christensen, Shone, Kearney, &

Kitzman, 2014; Li et al., 2014) and thematic analysis with constant comparison (Johansson,

Hildingsson, & Fenwick, 2014; Oosterveld-Vlug et al., 2014). In addition, five teams

conducted descriptive statistical analysis using both quantitative and qualitative data and

counting the frequencies of codes/themes (Ewens, Chapman, Tulloch, & Hendricks, 2014;

Miller, 2014; Santos, Sandelowski, & Gualda, 2014; Villar, Celdran, Faba, & Serrat, 2014)

or targeted events through video monitoring (Martorella, Boitor, Michaud, & Gelinas, 2014).

Tseng, Chen, and Wang (2014) cited Thorne, Reimer Kirkham, and O’Flynn-Magee

(2004)’s interpretive description as the inductive analytic approach. In five out of 55 articles,

researchers did not specifically name their analysis strategies, despite including descriptions

about procedural aspects of data analysis. Researchers of 20 studies reported that data

saturation for their themes was achieved.

Presentation of Findings

Researchers described participants’ experiences of health care, interventions, or illnesses in

18 articles and presented straightforward, focused, detailed descriptions of facilitators,

challenges, factors, reasons, and causes in 15 articles. Participants’ perceptions of specific

care, interventions, or programs were described in detail in 11 articles. All researchers

presented their findings with extensive descriptions including themes or categories. In 25 of

55 articles, figures or tables were also presented to illustrate or summarize the findings. In

addition, the authors of three articles summarized, organized, and described their data using

key concepts of conceptual models (Al-Zadjali et al., 2014; Oosterveld-Vlug et al., 2014;

Wiens et al., 2014). Martorella et al. (2014) assessed acceptability and feasibility of hand

massage therapy and arranged their findings in relation to pre-determined indicators of

acceptability and feasibility. In one longitudinal QD study (Kneck, Fagerberg, Eriksson, &

Lundman, 2014), the researchers presented the findings as several key patterns of learning

for persons living with diabetes; in another longitudinal QD study (Stegenga & Macpherson,

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2014), findings were presented as processes and themes regarding patients’ identity work

across the cancer trajectory. In another two studies, the researchers described and compared

themes or categories from two different perspectives, such as patients and nurses (Canzan,

Heilemann, Saiani, Mortari, & Ambrosi, 2014) or parents and children (Marcinowicz et al.,

2014). Additionally, Ma (2014) reported themes using both participants’ language and the

researcher’s language.

Discussion

In this systematic review, we examined and reported specific characteristics of methods and

findings reported in journal articles self-identified as QD and published during one calendar

year. To accomplish this we identified 55 articles that met inclusion criteria, performed a

quality appraisal following CASP guidelines, and extracted and analyzed data focusing on

QD features. In general, three primary findings emerged. First, despite inconsistencies, most

QD publications had the characteristics that were originally observed by Sandelowski (2000)

and summarized by other limited available QD literature. Next, there are no clear boundaries

in methods used in the QD studies included in this review; in a number of studies,

researchers adopted and combined techniques originating from other qualitative traditions to

obtain rich data and increase their understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.

Finally, justification for how QD was chosen and why it would be an appropriate fit for a

particular study is an area in need of increased attention.

In general, the overall characteristics were consistent with design features of QD studies

described in the literature (Neergaard et al., 2009; Sandelowski, 2000, 2010; Vaismoradi et

al., 2013). For example, many authors reported that study objectives were to describe or

explore participants’ experiences and factors related to certain phenomena, events, or

interventions. In most cases, these authors cited Sandelowski (2000) as a reference for this

particular characteristic. It was rare that theoretical or philosophical frameworks were

identified, which also is consistent with descriptions of QD. In most studies, researchers

used purposeful sampling and its derivative sampling techniques, collected data through

interviews, and analyzed data using qualitative content analysis or thematic analysis.

Moreover, all researchers presented focused or comprehensive, descriptive summaries of

data including themes or categories answering their research questions. These characteristics

do not indicate that there are correct ways to do QD studies; rather, they demonstrate how

others designed and produced QD studies.

In several studies, researchers combined techniques that originated from other qualitative

traditions for sampling, data collection, and analysis. This flexibility or variability, a key

feature of recently published QD studies, may indicate that there are no clear boundaries in

designing QD studies. Sandelowski (2010) articulated: “in the actual world of research

practice, methods bleed into each other; they are so much messier than textbook depictions”

(p. 81). Hammersley (2007) also observed:

“We are not so much faced with a set of clearly differentiated qualitative

approaches as with a complex landscape of variable practice in which the

inhabitants use a range of labels (‘ethnography’, ‘discourse analysis’, ‘life history

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work’, narrative study’, ……, and so on) in diverse and open-ended ways in order

to characterize their orientation, and probably do this somewhat differently across

audiences and occasions” (p. 293).

This concept of having no clear boundaries in methods when designing a QD study should

enable researchers to obtain rich data and produce a comprehensive summary of data

through various data collection and analysis approaches to answer their research questions.

For example, using an ethnographical approach (e.g., participant observation) in data

collection for a QD study may facilitate an in-depth description of participants’ nonverbal

expressions and interactions with others and their environment as well as situations or events

in which researchers are interested (Kawulich, 2005). One example found in our review is

that Adams et al. (2014) explored family members’ responses to nursing communication

strategies for patients in intensive care units (ICUs). In this study, researchers conducted

interviews with family members, observed interactions between healthcare providers,

patients, and family members in ICUs, attended ICU rounds and family meetings, and took

field notes about their observations and reflections. Accordingly, the variability in methods

provided Adams and colleagues (2014) with many different aspects of data that were then

used to complement participants’ interviews (i.e., data triangulation). Moreover, by using a

constant comparison technique in addition to qualitative content analysis or thematic

analysis in QD studies, researchers compare each case with others looking for similarities

and differences as well as reasoning why differences exist, to generate more general

understanding of phenomena of interest (Thorne, 2000). In fact, this constant comparison

analysis is compatible with qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis and we found

several examples of using this approach in studies we reviewed (Asemani et al., 2014;

DeBruyn et al., 2014; Holland et al., 2014; Johansson et al., 2014; Li et al., 2014;

Oosterveld-Vlug et al., 2014).

However, this flexibility or variability in methods of QD studies may cause readers’ as well

as researchers’ confusion in designing and often labeling qualitative studies (Neergaard et

al., 2009). Especially, it could be difficult for scholars unfamiliar with qualitative studies to

differentiate QD studies with “hues, tones, and textures” of qualitative traditions

(Sandelowski, 2000, p. 337) from grounded theory, phenomenological, and ethnographical

research. In fact, the major difference is in the presentation of the findings (or outcomes of

qualitative research) (Neergaard et al., 2009; Sandelowski, 2000). The final products of

grounded theory, phenomenological, and ethnographical research are a generation of a

theory, a description of the meaning or essence of people’s lived experience, and an in-

depth, narrative description about certain culture, respectively, through researchers’

intensive/deep interpretations, reflections, and/or transformation of data (Streubert &

Carpenter, 2011). In contrast, QD studies result in “a rich, straight description” of

experiences, perceptions, or events using language from the collected data (Neergaard et al.,

2009) through low-inference (or data-near) interpretations during data analysis

(Sandelowski, 2000, 2010). This feature is consistent with our finding regarding presentation

of findings: in all QD articles included in this systematic review, the researchers presented

focused or comprehensive, descriptive summaries to their research questions.

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Finally, an explanation or justification of why a QD approach was chosen or appropriate for

the study aims was not found in more than half of studies in the sample. While other

qualitative approaches, including grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography, and

narrative analysis, are used to better understand people’s thoughts, behaviors, and situations

regarding certain phenomena (Sullivan-Bolyai et al., 2005), as noted above, the results will

likely read differently than those for a QD study (Carter & Little, 2007). Therefore, it is

important that researchers accurately label and justify their choices of approach, particularly

for studies focused on participants’ experiences, which could be addressed with other

qualitative traditions. Justifying one’s research epistemology, methodology, and methods

allows readers to evaluate these choices for internal consistency, provides context to assist in

understanding the findings, and contributes to the transparency of choices, all of which

enhance the rigor of the study (Carter & Little, 2007; Wu, Thompson, Aroian, McQuaid, &

Deatrick, 2016).

Use of the CASP tool drew our attention to the credibility and usefulness of the findings of

the QD studies included in this review. Although justification for study design and methods

was lacking in many articles, most authors reported techniques of recruitment, data

collection, and analysis that appeared. Internal consistencies among study objectives,

methods, and findings were achieved in most studies, increasing readers’ confidence that the

findings of these studies are credible and useful in understanding under-explored

phenomenon of interest.

In summary, our findings support the notion that many scholars employ QD and include a

variety of commonly observed characteristics in their study design and subsequent

publications. Based on our review, we found that QD as a scholarly approach allows

flexibility as research questions and study findings emerge. We encourage authors to provide

as many details as possible regarding how QD was chosen for a particular study as well as

details regarding methods to facilitate readers’ understanding and evaluation of the study

design and rigor. We acknowledge the challenge of strict word limitation with submissions

to print journals; potential solutions include collaboration with journal editors and staff to

consider creative use of charts or tables, or using more citations and less text in background

sections so that methods sections are robust.

Limitations

Several limitations of this review deserve mention. First, only articles where researchers

explicitly stated in the main body of the article that a QD design was employed were

included. In contrast, articles labeled as QD in only the title or abstract, or without their

research design named were not examined due to the lack of certainty that the researchers

actually carried out a QD study. As a result, we may have excluded some studies where a

QD design was followed. Second, only one database was searched and therefore we did not

identify or describe potential studies following a QD approach that were published in non-

PubMed databases. Third, our review is limited by reliance on what was included in the

published version of a study. In some cases, this may have been a result of word limits or

specific styles imposed by journals, or inconsistent reporting preferences of authors and may

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have limited our ability to appraise the general adequacy with the CASP tool and examine

specific characteristics of these studies.

Conclusions

A systematic review was conducted by examining QD research articles focused on nursing-

related phenomena and published in one calendar year. Current patterns include some

characteristics of QD studies consistent with the previous observations described in the

literature, a focus on the flexibility or variability of methods in QD studies, and a need for

increased explanations of why QD was an appropriate label for a particular study. Based on

these findings, recommendations include encouragement to authors to provide as many

details as possible regarding the methods of their QD study. In this way, readers can

thoroughly consider and examine if the methods used were effective and reasonable in

producing credible and useful findings.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the John A. Hartford Foundation’s National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence Award Program.

Hyejin Kim is a Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Predoctoral Fellow (F31NR015702) and 2013–2015 National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence Patricia G. Archbold Scholar. Justine Sefcik is a Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Fellow (F31NR015693) through the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research.

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Figure 1. Flow Diagram of Study Selection

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Table 2

Elements for Data Extraction

Elements Data Extraction

Research objectives • Verbs used in objectives or aims

• Focuses of study

Design justification • If the article cited references for qualitative description

• If the article offered rationale to choose qualitative description

• References cited

• Rationale reported

Theoretical or philosophical frameworks

• If the article has theoretical or philosophical frameworks for study

• Theoretical or philosophical frameworks reported

• How the frameworks were used in data collection and analysis

Sampling and sample sizes • Sampling strategies (e.g., purposeful sampling, maximum variation)

• Sample size

Data collection and sources • Data collection techniques (e.g., individual or focus-group interviews, interview guide, surveys, field notes)

Data analysis • Data analysis techniques (e.g., qualitative content analysis, thematic analysis, constant comparison)

• If data saturation was achieved

Presentation of findings • Statement of findings

• Consistency with research objectives

Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.

A uthor M

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Kim et al. Page 19

Ta b

le 3

D at

a E

xt ra

ct io

n an

d A

na ly

si s

R es

ul ts

A ut

ho rs

C ou

nt ry

R es

ea rc

h O

bj ec

ti ve

s D

es ig

n ju

st if

ic at

io n

T he

or et

ic al

/ ph

ilo so

ph ic

al fr

am ew

or ks

Sa m

pl in

g/ sa

m pl

e si

ze D

at a

co lle

ct io

n an

d da

ta s

ou rc

es D

at a

an al

ys is

F in

di ng

s

A da

m s

et a

l. (2

01 4)

• U

SA •

E xp

lo re

• R

es po

ns es

to co

m m

un ic

at io

n st

ra te

gi es

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N ot

r ep

or te

d (N

R )

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g/ m

ax im

um va

ri at

io n

• 32

f am

ily m

em be

rs

• In

te rv

ie w

s •

O bs

er va

tio ns

• R

ev ie

w o

f da

ily f

lo w

s he

et •

D em

og ra

ph ic

s

• In

du ct

iv e

an d

de du

ct iv

e qu

al ita

tiv e

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Fi ve

th em

es a

bo ut

fa m

ily m

em be

rs ’

pe rc

ep tio

ns o

f nu

rs in

g co

m m

un ic

at io

n ap

pr oa

ch es

A hl

in , E

ri cs

on -L

id m

an , N

or be

rg , a

nd S

tr an

db er

g (2

01 4)

• Sw

ed en

• D

es cr

ib e

• E

xp er

ie nc

es o

f us

in g

gu id

el in

es in

d ai

ly p

ra ct

ic e

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Pa

rt o

f a

re se

ar ch

pr og

ra m

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

8 ca

re pr

ov id

er s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• Q

ua lit

at iv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

O ne

th em

e an

d se

ve n

su bt

he m

es ab

ou t c

ar e

pr ov

id er

s’ ex

pe ri

en ce

s of

us in

g gu

id el

in es

in da

ily p

ra ct

ic e

A l-

Z ad

ja li,

K el

le r,

L ar

ke y,

a nd

E va

ns (

20 14

) •

U SA

• E

xa m

in e

• C

ul tu

ra lly

sp ec

if ic

v ie

w s

of pr

oc es

se s

an d

ca us

es o

f m

id lif

e w

ei gh

t g ai

n

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

H ea

lth b

el ie

f m

od el

a nd

K le

im an

’s ex

pl an

at or

y m

od el

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

19 a

du lts

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w

• C

on ve

nt io

na l

co nt

en t a

na ly

si s

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

T hr

ee m

ai n

ca te

go ri

es (

fr om

th e

m od

el )

an d

ei gh

t su

bt he

m es

a bo

ut ca

us es

o f

w ei

gh t

ga in

in m

id lif

e

A se

m an

i e t a

l. (2

01 4)

• Ir

an •

E xp

lo re

• Fa

ct or

s in

iti at

in g

re sp

on si

bi lit

y am

on g

m ed

ic al

tr ai

ne es

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

N R

• C

on ve

ni en

ce ,

sn ow

ba ll,

a nd

m ax

im um

va ri

at io

n sa

m pl

in g

• 15

tr ai

ne es

an d

ot he

r pr

of es

si on

al s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• C

on ve

nt io

na l

co nt

en t a

na ly

si s

• C

on st

an t

co m

pa ri

so n

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Tw o

th em

es a

nd in

di vi

du al

a nd

n on

- in

di vi

du al

-b as

ed fa

ct or

s pe

r th

em e

A te

fi , A

bd ul

la h,

W on

g, a

nd M

az lo

m (

20 14

) •

Ir an

• E

xp lo

re •

Fa ct

or s

re la

te d

to jo

b sa

tis fa

ct io

n an

d di

ss at

is fa

ct io

n

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• C

on ve

ni en

ce sa

m pl

in g

• 85

n ur

se s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d fo

cu s

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T hr

ee m

ai n

th em

es an

d as

so ci

at ed

fa ct

or s

re ga

rd in

g jo

b sa

tis fa

ct io

n an

d di

ss at

is fa

ct io

n

B al

la ng

ru d,

H al

l- L

or d,

P er

se ni

us , a

nd H

ed el

in (

20 14

) •

N or

w ay

• D

es cr

ib e

• Pe

rc ep

tio ns

o n

si m

ul at

io n-

ba se

d te

am tr

ai ni

ng

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• St

ra te

gi c

sa m

pl in

g •

18 r

eg is

te re

d nu

rs es

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

du ct

iv e

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

O ne

m ai

n ca

te go

ry ,

th re

e ca

te go

ri es

, an

d si

x su

b- ca

te go

ri es

re ga

rd in

g nu

rs es

’ pe

rc ep

tio ns

o n

si m

ul at

io n-

ba se

d te

am tr

ai ni

ng

B en

av id

es -V

ae llo

e t a

l. (2

01 4)

• U

SA •

D et

er m

in e

• B

ar ri

er s

an d

su pp

or ts

f or

at te

nd in

g co

lle ge

an d

nu rs

in g

sc ho

ol

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

45 s

tu de

nt s

• Fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

U si

ng Ph

ot ov

oi ce

a nd

SH O

W eD

• C

on st

an t

co m

pa ri

so n

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Fi ve

th em

es a

bo ut

fa ci

lit at

or s

an d

ba rr

ie rs

B er

nh ar

d, Z

ie lin

sk i,

A ck

er so

n, a

nd E

ng lis

h (2

01 4)

• U

SA •

E xp

lo re

• R

ea so

ns f

or ch

oo si

ng h

om e

bi rt

h an

d bi

rt h

ex pe

ri en

ce s

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

20 w

om en

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• Fi

el d

no te

s

• Q

ua lit

at iv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Fi ve

c om

m on

th em

es an

d co

nc ep

ts a

bo ut

re as

on s

fo r

ch oo

si ng

ho m

e bi

rt h

ba se

d on

th ei

r bi

rt h

ex pe

ri en

ce s

B ra

df or

d an

d M

au de

( 20

14 )

• N

ew Z

ea la

nd •

E xp

lo re

• N

or m

al f

et al

ac tiv

ity r

el at

ed to

hu ng

er a

nd sa

tia tio

n

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

• D

en zi

n &

L in

co ln

( 20

11 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

19 p

re gn

an t

w om

en

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• O

pe n-

en de

d qu

es tio

ns

• In

du ct

iv e

qu al

ita tiv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

D es

cr ip

tiv e

st at

is tic

al a

na ly

si s

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Fo ur

p at

te rn

s re

ga rd

in g

fe ta

l ac

tiv iti

es in

re la

tio n

to m

ea l

an tic

ip at

io n,

m at

er na

l h un

ge r,

m at

er na

l m ea

l co

ns um

m at

io n,

an d

m at

er na

l sa

tie ty

C an

za n,

H ei

le m

an n,

S ai

an i,

M or

ta ri

, a nd

A m

br os

i ( 20

14 )

• It

al y

• E

xp lo

re ,

de sc

ri be

, a nd

co m

pa re

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

20 n

ur se

s an

d

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed va

ri ou

s an

al yt

ic st

ra te

gi es

in cl

ud in

g

N ur

si ng

c ar

in g

fr om

b ot

h pa

tie nt

s’ an

d nu

rs es

’

Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

Kim et al. Page 20

A ut

ho rs

C ou

nt ry

R es

ea rc

h O

bj ec

ti ve

s D

es ig

n ju

st if

ic at

io n

T he

or et

ic al

/ ph

ilo so

ph ic

al fr

am ew

or ks

Sa m

pl in

g/ sa

m pl

e si

ze D

at a

co lle

ct io

n an

d da

ta s

ou rc

es D

at a

an al

ys is

F in

di ng

s

• pe

rc ep

tio ns

o f

nu rs

in g

ca ri

ng 20

p at

ie nt

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• Fi

el d

no te

s du

ri ng

in te

rv ie

w s

co ns

ta nt

c om

pa ri

so n

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n pe

rs pe

ct iv

es –

a su

m m

ar y

of d

at a

in vi

si bl

e ca

ri ng

a nd

in vi

si bl

e ca

ri ng

C ha

n an

d L

op ez

( 20

14 )

• H

on g

K on

g •

A dd

re ss

• H

ow to

r ed

uc e

co ro

na ry

h ea

rt di

se as

e ri

sk s

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Se

co nd

ar y

an al

ys is

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

• N

ee rg

aa rd

e t a

l ( 20

09 )

N R

• C

on ve

ni en

ce an

d sn

ow ba

ll sa

m pl

in g

• 10

5 pa

tie nt

s

• Fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n Fo

ur c

at eg

or ie

s ab

ou t

pa tie

nt s’

a bi

lit ie

s to

re du

ce c

or on

ar y

he ar

t di

se as

e

C he

n, T

sa i,

L ee

, a nd

L ee

( 20

14 )

• Ta

iw an

• E

xp lo

re •

R ea

so ns

f or

yo un

g– ol

d pe

op le

no t k

ill in

g th

em se

lv es

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• C

on ve

ni en

ce sa

m pl

in g

• 31

o ld

er ad

ul ts

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de •

O bs

er va

tio n

w ith

m em

os /r

ef le

ct iv

e jo

ur na

l

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n Si

x th

em es

r eg

ar di

ng re

as on

s fo

r no

t co

m m

itt in

g to

s ui

ci de

C le

ve la

nd a

nd B

on ug

li (2

01 4)

• U

SA •

E xp

lo re

• N

eo na

ta l

in te

ns iv

e ca

re u

ni t

ex pe

ri en

ce s

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g an

d co

nv en

ie nc

e sa

m pl

e •

15 m

ot he

rs

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• Q

ua lit

at iv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Fo ur

th em

es a

bo ut

pa rt

ic ip

an ts

’ ex

pe ri

en ce

s of

ne on

at al

in te

ns iv

e ca

re u

ni t

D eB

ru yn

, O ch

oa -M

ar in

, a nd

S em

en ic

( 20

14 )

• C

ol om

bi a

• In

ve st

ig at

e •

B ar

ri er

s/ fa

ci lit

at or

s to

im pl

em en

tin g

ev id

en ce

-b as

ed nu

rs in

g

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

O tta

w a

m od

el fo

r re

se ar

ch us

e: kn

ow le

dg e

tr an

sl at

io n

fr am

ew or

k

• C

on ve

ni en

ce sa

m pl

in g

• 13

n ur

si ng

pr of

es si

on al

s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• In

du ct

iv e

qu al

ita tiv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

C on

st an

t co

m pa

ri so

n •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Fo ur

m ai

n ba

rr ie

rs an

d po

te nt

ia l

fa ci

lit at

or s

to ev

id en

ce -b

as ed

nu rs

in g

E w

en s,

C ha

pm an

, T ul

lo ch

, a nd

H en

dr ic

ks (

20 14

) •

A us

tr al

ia •

E xp

lo re

• Pe

rc ep

tio ns

a nd

ut ili

za tio

n of

di ar

ie s

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

19 p

at ie

nt s

an d

fa m

ili es

• R

es po

ns es

to op

en -e

nd ed

qu es

tio ns

o n

su rv

ey

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed an

al ys

is s

tr at

eg y

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Fi ve

th em

es re

ga rd

in g

pe rc

ep tio

ns on

u se

o f

di ar

ie s

an d

de sc

ri pt

iv e

st at

is tic

s us

in g

fr eq

ue nc

ie s

of ut

ili za

tio n

Fa nt

as ia

, S ut

he rl

an d,

F on

te no

t, an

d Ie

ra rd

i ( 20

14 )

• U

SA •

E xp

lo re

• K

no w

le dg

e, at

tit ud

es , a

nd be

lie fs

a bo

ut se

xu al

c on

se nt

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Pa

rt o

f a

la rg

er m

ix ed

-m et

ho d

st ud

y

T he

or y

of pl

an ne

d be

ha vi

or

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

sn ow

ba ll

sa m

pl in

g •

26 w

om en

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n T

hr ee

m ai

n ca

te go

ri es

a nd

su bt

he m

es r

eg ar

di ng

se xu

al c

on se

nt

Fr im

an , W

ah lb

er g,

M at

tia ss

on , a

nd E

bb es

ko g

(2 01

4) •

Sw ed

en •

D es

cr ib

e •

E xp

er ie

nc es

o f

kn ow

le dg

e de

ve lo

pm en

t i n

w ou

nd m

an ag

em en

t

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

: w

ea k

• K

ri pp

en do

rf (

20 04

)

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

16 d

is tr

ic t

nu rs

es

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• Q

ua lit

at iv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T hr

ee c

at eg

or ie

s an

d el

ev en

s ub

-c at

eg or

ie s

ab ou

t k no

w le

dg e

de ve

lo pm

en t

ex pe

ri en

ce s

in w

ou nd

m an

ag em

en t

G au

gh an

, L og

an , S

et hn

a, a

nd M

ot t (

20 14

) •

U SA

• D

es cr

ib e

• Pa

re nt

al -p

ai n

jo ur

ne y,

b el

ie fs

ab ou

t p ai

n, a

nd at

tit ud

es /b

eh av

io rs

re la

te d

to ch

ild re

n’ s

re sp

on se

s

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

• M

iln e

& O

be rl

e (2

00 5)

• Pa

rt o

f a

la rg

er m

ix ed

m et

ho ds

st ud

y

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

9 pa

re nt

s

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• O

ne o

pe n-

en de

d qu

es tio

n

• Q

ua lit

at iv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Tw o

m ai

n th

em es

, ca

te go

ri es

, a nd

su bc

at eg

or ie

s ab

ou t

pa re

nt s’

e xp

er ie

nc es

of o

bs er

vi ng

ch ild

re n’

s pa

in

H ar

t a nd

M ar

en o

(2 01

4) •

U SA

• D

es cr

ib e

• C

ha lle

ng es

a nd

ba rr

ie rs

in pr

ov id

in g

cu ltu

ra lly

co m

pe te

nt c

ar e

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

• Se

co nd

ar y

an al

ys is

N R

• St

ra tif

ie d

sa m

pl in

g •

25 3

nu rs

es

• W

ri tte

n re

sp on

se s

to 2

op en

-e nd

ed qu

es tio

ns o

n su

rv ey

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T hr

ee th

em es

re ga

rd in

g ch

al le

ng es

/b ar

ri er

s

H as

m an

, K ja

er ga

ar d,

a nd

E sb

en se

n (2

01 4)

• D

en m

ar k

• D

es cr

ib e

• E

xp er

ie nc

es o

f ch

ild bi

rt h

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• A

s ub

st ud

y

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g w

ith m

ax im

um va

ri at

io n

• Pa

rt ne

rs o

f 10

w om

en

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T hr

ee th

em es

a nd

fo ur

s ub

th em

es a

bo ut

pa rt

ne rs

’ ex

pe ri

en ce

s of

w om

en ’s

ch ild

bi rt

h

H ig

gi ns

, v an

d er

R ie

t, Sn

ee sb

y, a

nd G

oo d

(2 01

4) •

A us

tr al

ia •

E xp

lo re

• Pe

rc ep

tio ns

ab ou

t m ed

ic al

nu tr

iti on

a nd

hy dr

at io

n at

th e

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• B

or ba

si e

t a l (

20 08

)

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

10 n

ur se

s

• Fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

“a na

ly ze

d th

em at

ic al

ly ”

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

O ne

m ai

n th

em e

an d

fo ur

s ub

th em

es re

ga rd

in g

nu rs

es ’

pe rc

ep tio

ns o

n E

O L

- re

la te

d m

ed ic

al

Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

Kim et al. Page 21

A ut

ho rs

C ou

nt ry

R es

ea rc

h O

bj ec

ti ve

s D

es ig

n ju

st if

ic at

io n

T he

or et

ic al

/ ph

ilo so

ph ic

al fr

am ew

or ks

Sa m

pl in

g/ sa

m pl

e si

ze D

at a

co lle

ct io

n an

d da

ta s

ou rc

es D

at a

an al

ys is

F in

di ng

s

en d

of li

fe nu

tr iti

on a

nd hy

dr at

io n

H ol

la nd

, C hr

is te

ns en

, S ho

ne , K

ea rn

ey , a

nd K

itz m

an (

20 14

) •

U SA

• D

es cr

ib e

• R

ea so

ns f

or le

av in

g a

ho m

e vi

si tin

g pr

og ra

m ea

rl y

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• C

on ve

ni en

ce sa

m pl

e •

32 m

ot he

rs ,

nu rs

es , a

nd nu

rs e

su pe

rv is

or s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• Fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• In

du ct

iv e

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• C

on st

an t

co m

pa ri

so n

ap pr

oa ch

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

T hr

ee s

et s

of r

ea so

ns fo

r le

av in

g a

ho m

e vi

si tin

g pr

og ra

m

Jo ha

ns so

n, H

ild in

gs so

n, a

nd F

en w

ic k

(2 01

4) •

Sw ed

en •

E xp

lo re

a nd

de sc

ri be

• B

el ie

fs a

nd at

tit ud

es a

ro un

d th

e de

ci si

on f

or a

ca es

ar ea

n se

ct io

n

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Po

lli t &

B ec

k (2

01 2)

• B

ur ns

& G

ro ve

( 20

05 )

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

21 m

al es

• In

di vi

du al

te le

ph on

e in

te rv

ie w

s

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

C on

st an

t co

m pa

ri so

n ap

pr oa

ch •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Tw o

th em

es a

nd su

bt he

m es

in r

el at

io n

to th

e re

se ar

ch ob

je ct

iv e

K ao

a nd

T sa

i ( 20

14 )

• Ta

iw an

• E

xp lo

re •

Il ln

es s

ex pe

ri en

ce s

of ea

rl y

on se

t o f

kn ee

o st

eo ar

th ri

tis

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Po

pe &

M ay

s (1

99 5)

• Po

lit &

B ec

k (2

00 4)

• Pa

rt o

f a

la rg

e re

se ar

ch s

er ie

s

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

17 a

du lts

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de •

M em

o/ fi

el d

no te

s (o

bs er

va tio

ns )

• In

du ct

iv e

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

T hr

ee m

aj or

th em

es an

d ni

ne s

ub th

em es

re ga

rd in

g ex

pe ri

en ce

s of

e ar

ly on

se t-

kn ee

os te

oa rt

hr iti

s

K er

r, M

cK ay

, K lim

, K el

ly , a

nd M

cC an

n (2

01 4)

• A

us tr

al ia

• E

xp lo

re •

Pe rc

ep tio

ns ab

ou t b

ed si

de ha

nd ov

er (

ne w

m od

el )

by n

ur se

s

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

( 20

00 )

• N

ee rg

aa rd

e t a

l. (2

00 9)

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

30 p

at ie

nt s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• T

he m

at ic

c on

te nt

an al

ys is

• (-

) D

at a

an al

ys is

Tw o

do m

in an

t th

em es

a nd

r el

at ed

su bt

he m

es r

eg ar

di ng

pa tie

nt s’

th ou

gh ts

ab ou

t n ur

se s’

b ed

si de

ha nd

ov er

K ne

ck , F

ag er

be rg

, E ri

ks so

n, a

nd L

un dm

an (

20 14

) •

Sw ed

en •

Id en

tif y

• Pa

tte rn

s in

le ar

ni ng

w he

n liv

in g

w ith

di ab

et es

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g w

ith va

ri at

io ns

in ag

e an

d se

x •

13 pa

rt ic

ip an

ts

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

(3 tim

es o

ve r

3 ye

ar s)

• Sa

ld an

a’ s

(2 00

3) an

al ys

is p

ro ce

ss •

In du

ct iv

e qu

al ita

tiv e

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Fi ve

m ai

n pa

tte rn

s of

le ar

ni ng

w he

n liv

in g

w ith

d ia

be te

s fo

r th

re e

ye ar

s fo

llo w

in g

di ag

no si

s

L ar

oc qu

e et

a l.

(2 01

4) •

C an

ad a

• E

va lu

at e

• B

oo k

ch at

in te

rv en

tio n

ba se

d on

a n

ov el

S til

l A

lic e

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Pa

rt o

f a

la rg

er re

se ar

ch p

ro je

ct

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

11 lo

ng -t

er m

- ca

re s

ta ff

• Q

ue st

io nn

ai re

w ith

tw o

op en

- en

de d

qu es

tio ns

• T

he m

at ic

c on

te nt

an al

ys is

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Fi ve

th em

es (

po si

tiv e

co m

m en

ts )

ab ou

t t he

bo ok

c ha

t w ith

b ri

ef de

sc ri

pt io

n

L i,

L ee

, C he

n, J

en g,

a nd

C he

n (2

01 4)

• Ta

iw an

• E

xp lo

re •

Fa ci

lit at

or s

an d

ba rr

ie rs

to im

pl em

en tin

g sm

ok in

g- ce

ss at

io n

co un

se lin

g se

rv ic

es

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

16 n

ur se

- co

un se

lo rs

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• In

du ct

iv e

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• C

on st

an t

co m

pa ri

so n

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Tw o

th em

es a

nd ei

gh t s

ub th

em es

ab ou

t f ac

ili ta

to rs

a nd

ba rr

ie rs

d es

cr ib

ed us

in g

2- 4

qu ot

at io

ns pe

r su

bt he

m e

L ux

, H ut

ch es

on , a

nd P

ed en

( 20

14 )

• U

SA •

Id en

tif y

• E

du ca

tio na

l st

ra te

gi es

to m

an ag

e di

sr up

tiv e

be ha

vi or

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Pa

rt o

f a

la rg

er st

ud y

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

9 nu

rs es

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

pr oc

ed ur

es •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Tw o

m ai

n th

em es

re ga

rd in

g ed

uc at

io n

st ra

te gi

es f

or n

ur se

ed uc

at or

s

Ly nd

on e

t a l.

(2 01

4) •

U SA

• E

xp lo

re •

E xp

er ie

nc es

o f

di ff

ic ul

ty re

so lv

in g

pa tie

nt -

re la

te d

co nc

er ns

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Se

co nd

ar y

an al

ys is

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

19 32

ph ys

ic ia

n, nu

rs in

g, a

nd m

id w

if er

y pr

of es

si on

al s

• E

-m ai

l s ur

ve y

w ith

m ul

tip le

- ch

oi ce

a nd

f re

e- te

xt r

es po

ns es

• In

du ct

iv e

th em

at ic

an al

ys is

• D

es cr

ip tiv

e st

at is

tic s

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

O ne

o ve

ra rc

hi ng

th em

e an

d fo

ur su

bt he

m es

a bo

ut pr

of es

si on

al s’

ex pe

ri en

ce s

of di

ff ic

ul ty

r es

ol vi

ng pa

tie nt

-r el

at ed

co nc

er ns

L . M

a (2

01 4)

• Si

ng ap

or e

• E

xp lic

at e

• E

xp er

ie nc

e of

qu al

ity o

f lif

e fo

r ol

de r

ad ul

ts

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Pa

rs e

(2 00

1)

Pa rs

e’ s

hu m

an be

co m

in g

pa ra

di gm

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

10 e

ld er

ly re

si de

nt s

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

qu es

tio ns

pr es

en te

d (P

ar se

)

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed an

al ys

is te

ch ni

qu es

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

T hr

ee th

em es

pr es

en te

d us

in g

bo th

pa rt

ic ip

an ts

’ la

ng ua

ge a

nd th

e re

se ar

ch er

’s la

ng ua

ge

F. M

a, L

i, L

ia ng

, B ai

, a nd

S on

g (2

01 4)

• C

hi na

• E

xp lo

re •

Pe rs

pe ct

iv es

o n

le ar

ni ng

a bo

ut ca

ri ng

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

20 n

ur si

ng st

ud en

ts

• Fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• C

on ve

nt io

na l

co nt

en t a

na ly

si s

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Fo ur

c at

eg or

ie s

an d

as so

ci at

ed su

bc at

eg or

ie s

ab ou

t fa

ci lit

at or

s an

d ch

al le

ng es

to le

ar ni

ng ab

ou t c

ar in

g

Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

Kim et al. Page 22

A ut

ho rs

C ou

nt ry

R es

ea rc

h O

bj ec

ti ve

s D

es ig

n ju

st if

ic at

io n

T he

or et

ic al

/ ph

ilo so

ph ic

al fr

am ew

or ks

Sa m

pl in

g/ sa

m pl

e si

ze D

at a

co lle

ct io

n an

d da

ta s

ou rc

es D

at a

an al

ys is

F in

di ng

s

M ar

ci no

w ic

z, A

br am

ow ic

z, Z

ar zy

ck a,

A br

am ow

ic z,

a nd

K on

st an

ty no

w ic

z (2

01 4)

• Po

la nd

• D

es cr

ib e

an d

as se

ss •

C om

po ne

nt s

of th

e pa

tie nt

–n ur

se re

la tio

ns hi

p an

d pe

di at

ri c-

w ar

d am

en iti

es

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

, m

ax im

um va

ri at

io n

sa m

pl in

g •

26 p

ar en

ts o

r ca

re gi

ve rs

a nd

22 c

hi ld

re n

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• Q

ua lit

at iv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Fi ve

m ai

n to

pi cs

de sc

ri be

d fr

om th

e pe

rs pe

ct iv

es o

f ch

ild re

n an

d pa

re nt

s

M ar

to re

lla , B

oi to

r, M

ic ha

ud , a

nd G

el in

as (

20 14

) •

C an

ad a

• E

va lu

at e

• A

cc ep

ta bi

lit y

an d

fe as

ib ili

ty o

f ha

nd -m

as sa

ge th

er ap

y

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Se

co nd

ar y

to a

R C

T

Fo cu

se d

on fe

as ib

ili ty

a nd

ac ce

pt ab

ili ty

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

40 p

at ie

nt s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• Fi

el d

no te

s •

V id

eo re

co rd

in g

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s fo

r ac

ce pt

ab ili

ty •

Q ua

nt ita

tiv e

ra tin

gs o

f vi

de o

ite m

s fo

r fe

as ib

ili ty

• (-

) D

at a

an al

ys is

Su m

m ar

y of

d at

a fo

cu si

ng o

n pr

ed et

er m

in ed

in di

ca to

rs o

f ac

ce pt

ab ili

ty a

nd de

sc ri

pt iv

e st

at is

tic s

to p

re se

nt f

ea si

bi lit

y

M cD

on ou

gh , C

al la

ns , a

nd C

ar ro

ll (2

01 4)

• U

SA •

U nd

er st

an d

• C

ha lle

ng es

oc cu

rr in

g du

ri ng

tr an

si tio

ns o

f ca

re

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

• Pa

rt o

f a

la rg

er s

tu dy

N R

• C

on ve

ni en

ce sa

m pl

e •

22 n

ur se

s

• Fo

cu s

gr ou

ps •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• Q

ua lit

at iv

e co

nt en

t an

al ys

is m

et ho

ds •

(+ )

D at

a an

al ys

is

T hr

ee th

em es

a bo

ut ch

al le

ng es

r eg

ar di

ng tr

an si

tio ns

o f

ca re

:

M cG

ilt on

, B os

ca rt

, B ro

w n,

a nd

B ow

er s

(2 01

4) •

C an

ad a

• U

nd er

st an

d •

Fa ct

or s

th at

in fl

ue nc

e nu

rs es

’ re

te nt

io n

in th

ei r

cu rr

en t j

ob

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

41 n

ur se

s

• Fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• D

ir ec

te d

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

N ur

se s’

r ea

so ns

to st

ay a

nd le

av e

th ei

r cu

rr en

t j ob

M ic

ha el

, O 'C

al la

gh an

, B ai

rd , H

is co

ck , a

nd C

la yt

on (

20 14

) •

A us

tr al

ia •

E xt

en d

• U

nd er

st an

di ng

of c

ar eg

iv er

s’ vi

ew s

on a

dv an

ce ca

re p

la nn

in g

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

• G

ro un

de d

th eo

ry o

ve rt

on e

N R

• T

he or

et ic

al sa

m pl

in g

• 18

c ar

eg iv

er s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d fo

cu s

gr ou

p an

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de •

V ig

ne tte

te ch

ni qu

e

• In

du ct

iv e,

c yc

lic ,

an d

co ns

ta nt

co m

pa ra

tiv e

an al

ys is

• (-

) D

at a

an al

ys is

T hr

ee th

em es

re ga

rd in

g ca

re gi

ve rs

’ pe

rc ep

tio ns

o n

ad va

nc e

ca re

pl an

ni ng

M ill

er (

20 14

) •

U SA

• D

es cr

ib e

• O

ut co

m es

o ld

er ad

ul ts

w ith

ep ile

ps y

ho pe

to ac

hi ev

e in

m an

ag em

en t

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

20 p

at ie

nt s

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w •

C on

ve nt

io na

l co

nt en

t a na

ly si

s •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Si x

m ai

n th

em es

a nd

as so

ci at

ed s

ub th

em es

re ga

rd in

g w

ha t o

ld er

ad ul

ts h

op ed

to ac

hi ev

e in

m an

ag em

en t o

f th

ei r

ep ile

ps y

O os

te rv

el d-

V lu

g et

a l.

(2 01

4) •

T he

N et

he rl

an ds

• G

ai n

• E

xp er

ie nc

e of

pe rs

on al

d ig

ni ty

an d

fa ct

or s

in fl

ue nc

in g

it

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

M od

el o

f di

gn ity

in ill

ne ss

• M

ax im

um va

ri at

io n

sa m

pl in

g •

30 n

ur si

ng ho

m e

re si

de nt

s

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

C on

st an

t co

m pa

ri so

n •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T he

th re

at en

in g

ef fe

ct o

f ill

ne ss

a nd

th re

e do

m ai

ns b

ei ng

th re

at en

ed b

y ill

ne ss

in r

el at

io n

to pa

rt ic

ip an

ts ’

ex pe

ri en

ce s

of pe

rs on

al d

ig ni

ty

O ru

ch e,

D ra

uc ke

r, A

lk ha

tta b,

K no

pf , a

nd M

az ur

cy k

(2 01

4) •

U SA

• Id

en tif

y an

d de

sc ri

be •

N ee

ds in

m en

ta l

he al

th s

er vi

ce s

an d

“i de

al ”

pr og

ra m

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

• T

he re

is a

pr im

ar y

st ud

y

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

52 f

am ily

m em

be rs

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

a nd

fo cu

s- gr

ou p

in te

rv ie

w s

• “S

ta nd

ar d

co nt

en t

an al

yt ic

p ro

ce du

re s”

w ith

c as

e- or

de re

d m

et a-

m at

ri x

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Tw o

m ai

n to

pi cs

– (a

) in

te rv

en tio

n m

od al

iti es

th at

w ou

ld fi

t f am

ily m

em be

rs ’

ne ed

s in

m en

ta l

he al

th s

er vi

ce s

an d

(b )

to pi

cs th

at pr

og ra

m s

sh ou

ld ad

dr es

s

O 'S

he a

(2 01

4) •

U SA

• “W

ha t a

re th

e pe

rc ep

tio ns

o f

st af

f nu

rs es

re ga

rd in

g pa

lli at

iv e

ca re

… ?”

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e,

co nv

en ie

nc e

sa m

pl in

g •

18 n

ur se

s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d an

d fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

In te

rv ie

w g

ui de

• R

itc hi

e an

d Sp

en ce

r’ s

fr am

ew or

k fo

r da

ta an

al ys

is •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Fi ve

th em

at ic

ca te

go ri

es a

nd as

so ci

at ed

su bc

at eg

or ie

s ab

ou t

nu rs

es ’

pe rc

ep tio

ns of

p al

lia tiv

e ca

re

Pe ac

oc k,

H am

m on

d- C

ol lin

s, a

nd F

or be

s (2

01 4)

• C

an ad

a •

D es

cr ib

e •

E xp

er ie

nc e

of ca

ri ng

f or

a re

la tiv

e w

ith de

m en

tia

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 ; 2

01 0)

• Se

co nd

ar y

an al

ys is

• Ph

en om

en ol

og ic

al ov

er to

ne

N R

• Pu

rp os

iv e

sa m

pl in

g •

11 b

er ea

ve d

fa m

ily m

em be

rs

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• 27

tr an

sc ri

pt s

fr om

th e

pr im

ar y

st ud

y

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Fi ve

m aj

or th

em es

re ga

rd in

g th

e jo

ur ne

y w

ith d

em en

tia f

ro m

th e

tim e

pr io

r to

di ag

no si

s an

d in

to be

re av

em en

t

Pe te

rs on

e t a

l. (2

01 4)

• C

an ad

a •

D es

cr ib

e E

xp er

ie nc

e of

fe ta

l f ib

ro ne

ct in

te st

in g

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

10 )

• V

ai sm

or ad

i, T

ur un

en , &

B on

da s

(2 01

3)

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

17 w

om en

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• C

on ve

nt io

na l

co nt

en t a

na ly

si s

• (+

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

O ne

o ve

ra rc

hi ng

th em

e, th

re e

th em

es ,

an d

si x

su bt

he m

es ab

ou t w

om en

’s ex

pe ri

en ce

s of

f et

al

Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

A uthor M

anuscript A

uthor M anuscript

Kim et al. Page 23

A ut

ho rs

C ou

nt ry

R es

ea rc

h O

bj ec

ti ve

s D

es ig

n ju

st if

ic at

io n

T he

or et

ic al

/ ph

ilo so

ph ic

al fr

am ew

or ks

Sa m

pl in

g/ sa

m pl

e si

ze D

at a

co lle

ct io

n an

d da

ta s

ou rc

es D

at a

an al

ys is

F in

di ng

s

fi br

on ec

tin te

st in

g

R ap

ha el

, W at

er w

or th

, a nd

G ot

t ( 20

14 )

• N

ew Z

ea la

nd •

E xp

lo re

• R

ol e

of n

ur se

s in

pr ov

id in

g pa

lli at

iv e

an d

en d-

of -l

if e

ca re

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Po

pe &

M ay

s (2

00 6)

• Pa

rt o

f a

la rg

er s

tu dy

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

21 n

ur se

s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T hr

ee th

em es

a bo

ut pr

ac tic

e nu

rs es

’ ex

pe ri

en ce

s in

pr ov

id in

g pa

lli at

iv e

an d

en d-

of -l

if e

ca re

Sa nt

os , S

an de

lo w

sk i,

an d

G ua

ld a

(2 01

4) •

B ra

zi l

• U

nd er

st an

d •

E xp

er ie

nc e

w ith

po st

na ta

l de

pr es

si on

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

, cr

ite ri

on sa

m pl

in g

• 15

w om

en w

ith p

os tn

at al

de pr

es si

on

• M

in im

al ly

st ru

ct ur

ed ,

in di

vi du

al in

te rv

ie w

s

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Tw o

th em

es –

w om

en ’s

“ ba

d th

ou gh

ts ”

an d

th ei

r fo

ur ty

pe s

of re

sp on

se s

to f

ea r

of ha

rm (

w ith

fr eq

ue nc

ie s)

Sh ar

p et

a l.

(2 01

4) •

A us

tr al

ia •

U nd

er st

an d

• E

xp er

ie nc

e of

pe ri

ph er

al ly

in se

rt ed

c en

tr al

ca th

et er

in se

rt io

n

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

10 p

at ie

nt s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• T

he m

at ic

a na

ly si

s •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

Fo ur

th em

es re

ga rd

in g

pa tie

nt s’

ex pe

ri en

ce s

of pe

ri ph

er al

ly in

se rt

ed ce

nt ra

l c at

he te

r in

se rt

io n

So ul

e (2

01 4)

• U

SA •

D is

co ve

r •

C on

te xt

, v al

ue s,

an d

ba ck

gr ou

nd m

ea ni

ng o

f cu

ltu ra

l co

m pe

te nc

y

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

Fo cu

se d

on cu

ltu ra

l co

m pe

te nc

e

• Pu

rp os

iv e,

m ax

im um

va ri

at io

n, a

nd ne

tw or

k •

20 e

xp er

ts

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• W

ith in

-c as

e an

d ac

ro ss

-c as

e an

al ys

is •

(- )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T hr

ee th

em es

re ga

rd in

g cu

ltu ra

l co

m pe

te nc

y

St eg

en ga

a nd

M ac

ph er

so n

(2 01

4) •

U SA

• E

xp lo

re a

nd de

sc ri

be •

C an

ce r

ex pe

ri en

ce

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• N

ee ga

ar d

et a

l ( 20

09 )

N R

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed •

15 p

at ie

nt s

• L

on gi

tu di

na l

in di

vi du

al in

te rv

ie w

s (4

tim e

po in

ts )

• 40

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

du ct

iv e

co nt

en t

an al

ys is

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n

Pr oc

es se

s an

d th

em es

ab ou

t a do

le sc

en t

id en

tif y

w or

k an

d ca

nc er

id en

tif y

w or

k ac

ro ss

th e

ill ne

ss tr

aj ec

to ry

St ur

es so

n an

d Z

ie ge

rt (

20 14

) •

Sw ed

en •

E xp

lo re

• E

xp er

ie nc

es o

f gi

vi ng

s up

po rt

to pa

tie nt

s du

ri ng

th e

tr an

si tio

n

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

Fo cu

se d

on su

pp or

t a nd

tr an

si tio

n

• U

ns pe

ci fi

ed (b

ut li

ke ly

pu rp

os ef

ul sa

m pl

in g)

• 8

nu rs

es

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w s

• In

te rv

ie w

g ui

de

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n O

ne th

em e,

th re

e m

ai n

ca te

go ri

es , a

nd ei

gh t a

ss oc

ia te

d ca

te go

ri es

T se

ng , C

he n,

a nd

W an

g (2

01 4)

• Ta

iw an

• D

es cr

ib e

• Pr

oc es

s of

w om

en ’s

r ec

ov er

y fr

om s

til lb

ir th

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

00 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

21 w

om en

• In

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w te

ch ni

qu es

• In

du ct

iv e

an al

yt ic

ap pr

oa ch

es (

T ho

rn e,

2 00

4) •

(+ )

D at

a sa

tu ra

tio n

T hr

ee s

ta ge

s (t

he m

es )

re ga

rd in

g th

e re

co ve

ry p

ro ce

ss o

f Ta

iw an

es e

w om

en w

ith s

til lb

ir th

V ai

sm or

ad i,

Jo rd

an , T

ur un

en , a

nd B

on da

s (2

01 4)

• Ir

an •

D es

cr ib

e •

Pe rs

pe ct

iv es

o f

ca us

es o

f m

ed ic

at io

n er

ro rs

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

na le

• Sa

nd el

ow sk

i ( 20

10 )

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

24 n

ur si

ng st

ud en

ts

• Fo

cu s-

gr ou

p in

te rv

ie w

s •

O bs

er va

tio ns

w ith

n ot

es

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n Tw

o m

ai n

th em

es ab

ou t n

ur si

ng st

ud en

ts ’

pe rc

ep tio

ns on

c au

se s

of m

ed ic

at io

n er

ro rs

V al

iz ad

eh e

t a l.

(2 01

4) •

Ir an

• E

xp lo

re •

Im ag

e of

n ur

si ng

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• Pu

rp os

ef ul

sa m

pl in

g •

18 m

al e

nu rs

es

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d in

di vi

du al

, in

te rv

ie w

s •

Fi el

d no

te s

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n Tw

o m

ai n

vi ew

s (t

he m

es )

on n

ur si

ng pr

es en

te d

w ith

su bt

he m

es p

er v

ie w

V ill

ar , C

el dr

an , F

ab a,

a nd

S er

ra t (

20 14

) •

Sp ai

n •

A sc

er ta

in •

B ar

ri er

s to

se xu

al e

xp re

ss io

n

• (-

) R

ef er

en ce

• (-

) R

at io

na le

N R

• M

ax im

um va

ri at

io n

• 10

0 st

af f

an d

re si

de nt

s

• Se

m is

tr uc

tu re

d, in

di vi

du al

in te

rv ie

w

• C

on te

nt a

na ly

si s

• (-

) D

at a

sa tu

ra tio

n 40

% o

f pa

rt ic

ip an

ts w

ith ou

t i de

nt if

ic at

io n

of b

ar ri

er s

an d

60 %

w ith

s ev

en m

os t c

ite d

ba rr

ie rs

to s

ex ua

l ex

pr es

si on

in th

e lo

ng -t

er m

c ar

e se

tti ng

W ie

ns , B

ab en

ko -M

ou ld

, a nd

I w

as iw

( 20

14 )

• C

an ad

a •

E xp

lo re

• Pe

rc ep

tio ns

o f

em po

w er

m en

t i n

ac ad

em ic

n ur

si ng

en vi

ro nm

en ts

• (+

) R

ef er

en ce

• (+

) R

at io

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Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.

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Res Nurs Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 February 01.