Research is crucial for the development of the nursing discipline and qualitative research produces a kind of knowledge that permits generalizations relating to the phenomenon under study. The paper first focus on the discipline of nursing considered as a human science, oriented towards practice which its central phenomena is care. The disciplinary knowledge arises out of a reciprocal relationship between theory, empirical work and practice. This relationship permits professional to meet in better manner their obligations to society. Relating to qualitative research, the paper argues that the knowledge coming from these studies permit effective nursing interventions truly based in patient's needs and contextualized in specific situations. With an example is illustrated how qualitative research produces scientific knowledge that strengthens nursing practice and therefore, contributes to disciplinary development.
Nursing research; Nursing theory; Qualitative research