Challenging the myths surrounding qualitative research in nursing

The challenge of nursing in the 21st century is to ground nursing practice in nursing science. This article focuses on the role qualitative research has in advancing nursing science and the myths surrounding qualitative research in nursing. The authors challenge these myths and suggest precepts to guide future research and theory development in nursing. These precepts focus on philosophical origins concerning the nature reality and the nature of knowing. Such understanding is vital to conducting and evaluating qualitative research.