[The social representations theory in Brazilian nursing research].

This study aimed to examine methodological issues in the theses and dissertations that used social representations theory (SRT) in Brazilian nursing. Twenty-two dissertations and 44 theses were considered. Categorical content analysis was applied, based on five aspects: objects studied, place of SRT, the number of study participants, data collection techniques and data analysis. The predominance of case studies and use, especially of semi-structured interviews, although relevant to the study of SR, do not sufficiently consider the extent of suck knowledge sharing in society. One must take into account lay knowledge to understand health care contextualized studies on health care.