TRANSFERABILITY IN QUALITATIVE NURSING RESEARCH: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED CARE

Transferability constitutes a cardinal dimension of rigor in qualitative nursing research, delineating the extent to which findings may possess contextual applicability across diverse clinical milieus. Within the paradigm of evidence-based care, the capacity to extrapolate meaning from contextually bound data is indispensable for informed clinical decision-making. Despite its theoretical prominence, transferability remains inconsistently operationalized, thereby constraining the translational efficacy of qualitative evidence in nursing practice. This inquiry employed an integrative review design, synthesizing extant empirical and methodological literature pertinent to transferability in qualitative research. Purposive selection of peer-reviewed sources ensured the inclusion of contextually rich and methodologically robust studies. Data extraction and thematic analysis were undertaken to identify recurrent patterns, conceptual frameworks, and methodological strategies that enhance the applicability of qualitative findings across settings. The synthesis revealed that transferability is predominantly reinforced through the provision of thick, nuanced contextual descriptions, purposive sampling of information-rich participants, and rigorous methodological transparency. Ancillary strategies, including reflexivity, triangulation, and the maintenance of audit trails, further augment interpretive depth and contextual relevance. However, the findings also underscore a persistent deficiency in detailed contextual reporting within qualitative nursing studies, thereby attenuating their practical utility. The study elucidates that transferability is not an intrinsic attribute but a methodologically constructed outcome contingent upon deliberate research design and reporting practices. Strengthening transferability enhances the interpretive and pragmatic value of qualitative evidence, thereby facilitating its integration into evidence-based nursing care. Consequently, advancing methodological rigor through comprehensive contextualization and transparent reporting is imperative to optimize the applicability of qualitative insights in diverse healthcare environments.