The need for graduate nursing education and nursing research in The Netherlands: an exploratory study

In 1989 research was performed aimed at discovering the views of Dutch administrators of intramural health care institutions on the need for graduate nursing education and nursing research in The Netherlands. The study was completed in 1990. Because the research aim was to learn the informants' point of view, a grounded theory method was applied. The sample size was 13. The subjects were selected by using two separate sampling procedures, so as to minimize bias. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews of 1 hour, which were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the data was done by using the constant comparative method, involving concurrent collection, collation and analysis. The three major themes that finally emerged from the data analysis were named Change, Problems and Solutions. In order to keep as open a mind as possible the systematic review of the literature was done after the field work and analysis of the data. This article presents the findings and the implications of the study.