Quality data analysis software used in nursing research

Abstract

Objective: to identify and map the use of qualitative data analysis software used in research conducted within the Brazilian nursing graduate programs. Method: scoping review, whose data collection was conducted in March 2017 from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel’s (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) Thesis and Dissertation Database. Dissertations and theses produced in the scope of graduate programs in Brazilian nursing that were qualitative research using software were included. Data were submitted to simple descriptive statistics. Results: the final sample consisted of 239 studies, especially descriptive studies (99; 41.5%), with a qualitative approach (194; 81.2%). They used the software in the data analysis step (148; 61.9%); 11 distinct software were used. Potentialities and difficulties of using the software were highlighted. Conclusion: Brazilian nursing has appropriated the use of qualitative data analysis support software in its research.