Unveiling the landscape of research methodologies in nursing literature: a comprehensive analysis

Abstract Objective To analyze the uses of research methodologies applied in nursing articles published in esteemed journals. Nursing research uses various methodologies to examine different aspects of the field. Understanding the frequency and trends of these approaches is important. Methods A comprehensive analysis of 697 peer-reviewed research articles (RAs) was conducted. These articles encompassed quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs. Results The analysis revealed a dominance of quantitative methodologies (78%) among the examined RAs. Qualitative approaches were less prevalent (14%) but showed a growing presence. Mixed-methods studies constituted approximately 7% of the analyzed articles. Conclusions This systematic exploration of research methodologies in nursing literature from 2018 and 2022 highlights the dynamic and diverse nature of research the field. This comprehensive understanding of research methodologies is a valuable guide for researchers, educators, and policymakers in shaping the future of nursing research.