Research methods in nursing students' Bachelor's theses in Sweden: A descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Academic Research Methods

Background:

• Swedish nursing programs require an independent project for professional qualification and Bachelor's degree.
• These projects develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills essential for future nursing practice.
• Limited research exists on how nursing students conduct these independent projects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the methods used in nursing students' independent Bachelor's projects in Sweden.
• To analyze ethical considerations and data quality assessment within these projects.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study employing a quantitative approach.
• Analysis of 490 independent projects using descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

• Literature reviews were the most common project type, with references often supporting but not always aligning with the analysis method.
• Ethical considerations were inconsistently applied.
• Qualitative projects involved professionals for interviews or individuals with diseases/their relatives for biographical/blog analyses.

Conclusions:

• Clarity is needed for nursing students regarding data analysis and ethical considerations in their projects, particularly literature reviews.
• Further research and guidance are recommended.
• While not formal research, projects require careful design to prevent ethical issues, especially when collecting health-related information.