Many researchers begin their studies without clearly defined concepts. Moyra Ann Baldwin explains why researchers need to consider what it is they’re researching using concept analysis before starting work

Mathieson, in the editorial of the first issue of Nurse Researcher, said that one purpose of the journal was to increase readers’ research awareness in terms “of different methods and their significance to practice… to sort out ‘the good from the bad’ and to make informed decisions” (Mathieson 1993). This was an invitation for researchers to pursue all approaches to the design of research and to consider that the foundation of any research is its design. Concept analysis and clarification is one of those “different methods” of research that I will explore in this article.