The objective of this qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study, in documental base was to analyze the accumulated knowledge produced in Nursing Education Research Groups in Southern Brazil. Data was collected during the period from January to May, 2009, from the Census of the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development Research Groups and the Curriculum Lattes of these groups of researchers. Content analysis of these articles showed a concentration within the last five years in studies of a qualitative nature, based on positivism with heterogeneous themes and a reduced focus on the Education, Nursing, and Health Care line of research. The nurses of these Research Groups have opted for individual work, presenting difficulties in articulating research among their members, distancing themselves from more profound investigation in health care education, concerning themselves with the productivity category in detriment to production which gives greater visibility and contributes to their line of research.
Education, nursing; Measurement, methods and theories; Nursing education research; Research groups
