Research trends in the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery 1987-1992

To identify selected research trends, 69 research reports were analyzed from a sample of feature articles that were published in the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery between 1987 and 1992. Systematic appraisal was performed to classify these articles according to topic, design, sampling methodology, sample size, and funding. The largest proportion of studies were conducted on clinical topics (83%). Descriptive study designs were utilized most frequently (67%). Nonprobability sampling (81%) far exceeded probability sampling (19%); however, in 1992, probability sampling increased to 75%. With the exception of 1988, funding steadily increased over the study period. These results suggest that research has primarily focused upon clinical issues and has utilized descriptive designs and nonprobability sampling.