The concept of caring: a review of the literature.

Caring is viewed in the literature as the central focus of nursing. This paper examines the literature on the concept of caring, reviewing the various theoretical perspectives presented, and the research studies which have investigated this phenomenon in nursing practice. The choice of research methods in the study of the concept is a major focus for discussion. Consequently, the author elucidates the strengths and limitations of the qualitative and quantitative approaches in the investigation of the concept of caring.