Beyond research-based literature reviews: a scoping review of methodological diversity in Swedish bachelor’s theses in nursing

TL;DR

This study explores the use of non-traditional research methods in Swedish nursing bachelor's theses and highlights the need for more methodological diversity.

Contribution

The study maps and analyzes the methodological diversity in Swedish nursing bachelor's theses using non-traditional approaches.

Findings

Autobiographical works and blogs were the most common data sources in the theses.

Most theses used descriptive designs and focused on adult women, with limited use of social media or internet forums.

Many theses lacked a formal theoretical framework, indicating a need for pedagogical reforms.

Abstract

In Sweden, becoming a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing requires three years of full-time study, including an independent 15-credit thesis. Nursing undergraduates have limited access to ongoing research projects and clinical settings, which often prioritize master’s students and faculty-led studies. Thus, many nursing programs default to a literature-review norm, which reduces methodological diversity. This study focuses solely on non-traditional approaches, such as blog analyses, autobiographical analyses, and other innovative designs. The study seeks to disclose how these methods contribute to understanding patient experiences and advancing nursing education and research.

The aim of the study was to systematically map and critically analyze the methodological and theoretical diversity within Swedish bachelor’s theses in nursing that employ alternative research methods.

A scoping review was conducted. Searches were performed in the DiVA portal (title-only list of 22 145 records) and in three university repositories (2 861 records), followed by an abstract-inclusive DiVA search (491 records). Screening and full-text review yielded 380 final inclusions. The national digital science archive was used to access theses completed between 2013 and 2023. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data.

Autobiographical works were the most frequently used sources (n = 220), followed by blogs (n = 126). Dictionaries, internet forums, and combined sources were rare. Few theses used dictionaries, social media or internet forums. A descriptive research design was employed in most of the theses, and the majority focused on adults, primarily women. The theoretical content mainly covered themes related to existential issues and suffering, but several bachelor’s theses lacked a formal theoretical framework.

Descriptive designs predominated, while exploratory and theory-integrated approaches were rare. Addressing these gaps requires pedagogical reforms that support use of diverse data sources and encourage inclusive research.

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