A study was conducted to suggest an answer to questions in nursing education concerning what educational changes are necessary, which directions those changes should take, and what type of approach should be used to introduce them. The study investigated the extent to which scientifically obtained knowledge is utilized in the process of change in nursing education, using selected innovations as the focus for the study. Information was obtained through a national survey of current curricular innovations in nursing as was determined by questionnaire and through a small number of case studies. The case studies indicated that there were various stages in each innovation process for each curriculum change. Several different modes of identifying the knowledge needed were determined in an attempt to classify the approaches used for deriving knowledge. The quality of the evidence was not assessed, however. A literature review pertaining to sources and methods of obtaining knowledge was utilized. (A 36-item bibliography and a classification scheme for the approaches used in deriving knowledge are also included.) (KP)