Objective:

The aim of this study was to define the knowledge interests of nursing science and their methodological implications.

Methods:

Theoretical essay based on a narrative literature review about the knowledge interests described by Jürgen Habermas.

Results:

Setting out the intratheoretical interests of health sciences and nur-sing science in particular, could add onto their philosophical, epistemological and methodological framework. Technical, practical and emancipatory interests converge with different weightings in different areas of health sciences.

Conclusions:

Although in medicine there is a predominance of the technical interest, nursing is in an ideal position to integrate practical and emancipatory interests as the axis of its research programmes. This approach could strengthen not only nurses’ position at a professional, academic and research level, but also the qualitative research methodologies associated with both interests.