A qualitative content analysis of knowledge storage in nursing education system

Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014 Oct 5;16(10):e21835. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.21835. eCollection 2014 Oct.

Abstract

Background: The need for effective management of intellectual and academic assets is constantly growing. The nursing educational system should be considered as a storage of knowledge since it is deposited in the nursing educational system in the form of intellectual investment.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to explore nursing knowledge storage in the nursing educational system.

Materials and methods: The participants of this study consisted of eight nursing educators and five students. The inductive content analysis method was used in this research. Participants were interviewed through the semi-structured method. Data analysis was done by five stage framework approaches. The trustworthiness of the study was ensured through validity and acceptability criteria.

Results: Data analysis showed that nursing educators and students were involve in teaching and learning activities by storing knowledge in subjective and objective forms. Knowledge was gained through the different educational activities of the nursing educators and through contact with their peers. Moreover, the nursing students gained knowledge for better learning and a more knowledgeable and advanced performance with the help of the educators.

Conclusions: This study revealed the main components of knowledge storage. An enhanced preservation of explicit knowledge is recommended in the nursing educational system so that in the future, students and educators can easily access the same knowledge from storage sources and not from individuals who might be carrying only a single experience of the subject.

Keywords: Education; Knowledge; Knowledge Management; Nursing; Qualitative Research.