KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION IN A BRAZILIAN MASTER'S DEGREE COURSE IN NURSING

Abstract

This is a descriptive, quantitative documentary analysis, considering 60 theses defended at the Master Degree Course from the Graduate Program in Nursing (PEN) of the Federal University of Santa Catarina - UFSC, Brazil, from 2005 to 2008. Its purpose was to know some knowledge's characteristics produced at the Master's course in relation to the subject area, type of study, research agenda and study participants. Data were collected by reading the abstracts, full text of theses, available on file at the PEN / UFSC. For data recording a tool was developed for classifying the study variables. Data were analyzed using statistical measures (absolute and relative numbers) and presented in tables and graphs. Results show the consolidation of knowledge addressed to health care and education as well as the predominance of qualitative studies, distributed predominantly in three lines of research: The care and the process of living, being healthy and sick, education, health and nursing work process in health and nursing. As for subjects of study the predominance of nurses and nursing staff, were identified followed by relatives / escorts / clients, and pregnant women, as well.