Terms care and assistance in the titles of the theses in nursing (1993-2011)

Abstract

Objective: Analyzing the frequency of application of the expressions “care” and "assistance" in the titles of theses produced by nurses in Nursing area and related fields. Method: The quantitative method was used under the perspective of serial history, whose development was supported by the documentary observation. The information was transferred from the Excel spreadsheet to statistical software. For information analysis, we compared the relative frequencies (proportions) of the expressions "care" and "assistance" contained in the titles of the theses. These procedures were performed using the chi-square test, considering a significance level (α) equal to 5%. Results: Showed that of 1865 thesis, the term "care" and its variations were identified in 230 titles (12,3%), while the term "assistance" in theses 117 (6,3%). Conclusion: The overcoming of the term "care" in comparison with the term "assistance" imposes a reflection from their meanings in the application of these terms.