ABSTRACT
Since the early 1990s, qualitative research methods have been actively adopted in nursing research. Qualitative nursing research in Korea not only has significantly increased in number, but also a wide range of methodological approaches have been developed. This research method has contributed greatly in terms of nursing research as well as nursing theory, nursing practice and nursing education. It is worthwhile analyzing and examining the research papers that have been previously conducted in order to determine their usefulness or value. Thus, this chapter briefly examines the historical background of qualitative nursing research in Korea for the last 20 years, and analyzes the trends. This will enable us to identify the degree to which qualitative research has contributed to nursing in Korea, and to suggest new qualitative research directions so as to develop a knowledge system of nursing science.
