Aim The objective of this study was to investigate nursing research, including topics, funding and publication.
Method A database of published biomedical research set up by the Wellcome Trust was analysed for nursing research.
Results Topics covered in nursing research were found to be diverse, with mental health nursing and nurse education the major areas. Multi-authorship is lower than in biomedical research generally. The most prolific areas of publication are London SE postcodes and Manchester. Only about a third of nursing research appears to be funded.
Conclusion Nursing research was found to be the fastest growing field of biomedical research during the period analysed (1988-1995).
