Integrative review: concepts and methods used in nursing

• Published in: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 335 - 345
• Main Authors: Soares, Cassia Baldini, Hoga, Luiza Akiko Komura, Peduzzi, Marina, Sangaleti, Carine, Yonekura, Tatiana, Silva, Deborah Rachel Audebert Delage
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem 01.04.2014; SciELO
• Subjects: Atención de enfermería; Investigación en enfermería; Mediciones, métodos y teorías; NURSING; Nursing - methods; Nursing - standards; Nursing Research - methods; Nursing Research - standards; Práctica clínica basada en la videncia; Revisión; Nursing care; Atención de enfermería; Mediciones, métodos y teorías; Cuidados de enfermagem; Evidence-based practice; Pesquisa em enfermagem; Medidas, métodos e teorias; Review; Nursing research; Práctica clínica basada en la videncia; Investigación en enfermería; Revisão; Prática clínica baseada em evidências; Revisión; Measurements, methods and theories
• ISSN: 0080-6234; 1980-220X; 0080-6234
• DOI: 10.1590/S0080-6234201400002000020

Integrative review (IR) has an international reputation in nursing research and evidence-based practice. This IR aimed at identifying and analyzing the concepts and methods recommended to undertaking IR in nursing. Nine information resources,including electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Seventeen studies were included. The results indicate that: primary studies were mostly from USA; it is possible to have several research questions or hypotheses and include primary studies in the review from different theoretical and methodological approaches; it is a type of review that can go beyond the analysis and synthesis of findings from primary studies allowing exploiting other research dimensions, and that presents potentialities for the development of new theories and new problems for research. IR is understood as a very complex type of review and it is expected to be developed using standardized and systematic methods to ensure the required rigor of scientific research and therefore the legitimacy of the established evidence.