Content analysis is much more than a naive technique that results in a simplistic description of data. It allows the researcher to test theoretical issues to enhance understanding of the data. Using applications from the nursing and health literature, this paper will explain key concepts and methodological issues, including strategies for data analysis.

Content analysis is much more than a naive technique that results in a simplistic description of data. It allows the researcher to test theoretical issues to enhance understanding of the data. Using applications from the nursing and health literature, this paper will explain key concepts and methodological issues, including strategies for data analysis.

Nursing staff turnover remains a financial concern to public as well as private institutions, and it has an impact on staff morale and working practices. Evidence suggests that staff turnover could also have a detrimental effect on patient care. Numerous studies have examined the reasons why staff leave their jobs, but these have often produced conflicting findings and have frequently relied upon bivariate correlation or multiple regression techniques. The availability of analytical techniques such as structural modelling provides an opportunity to examine several aspects of turnover behaviour simultaneously, and overcome some of the methodological difficulties encountered by prior research. This study involved 221 female nurses working full-time in hospitals to examine aspects of the nursing turnover model. Using modelling techniques, this current study found job satisfaction and participation at work to be important variables in the turnover process. This is in keeping with other models of nursing turnover.

Job satisfaction remains an important consideration for both employer and employee and, despite numerous investigations, many questions about it remain unanswered. Many research methodologies have been used with varying degrees of success. However, the trend is now away from simple correlational studies towards modelling techniques. Data from 221 female nurses working full-time in hospitals were collected using questionnaires delivered with monthly salary cheques. The model presented had many statistically significant path coefficients including (in order of size): benefits, participation in decision making, education, routine, promotion, and opportunity for advancement outside their institution. The level of salary was not found to be a statistically significant factor in determining job satisfaction.

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