The quality of the research output is strengthened by the researcher's awareness of the paradigms and perspectives involved in conducting research. The approaches used by researchers are shaped by their worldviews, which include ideas and philosophical assumptions about the fundamental nature of the universe and the means by which it may be comprehended. The conceptual frameworks used to understand and analyze the world are often referred to as research paradigms, which play a crucial role in shaping the structure and implementation of research endeavors. A paradigm is a framework for understanding and interpreting the world that is shaped by philosophical beliefs regarding the fundamental nature of social reality (referred to as ontology), methods of acquiring knowledge (referred to as epistemology), and ethical principles and value systems (referred to as axiology). A paradigm, therefore, prompts us to generate particular questions and use appropriate strategies for systematic investigation, thereby addressing the question of how we ought to find out about the world.

Glass ceiling is the unseen barrier that prohibits women and minorities in achieving a higher potential in the workplace. This barrier influences the well-being and prosperity of women and minorities resulting to career stagnation and inability to earn a higher income. Despite the abundance of literature on the issue, there is a dearth of comprehensive information that examines the organizational, cultural, and individual factors that contribute to the glass ceiling phenomenon in the healthcare industry. The main goal of this study is to do a full scoping review to find and map all the existing healthcare settings that contribute to the glass ceiling effect. A total of 28,184 hits resulted in the search of the published and grey literature. Nine articles passed the full-text review and were further reviewed. Data were synthesized and interpreted to determine the experiences of nurses about the glass ceiling phenomenon. Findings: Gender discrimination, bias, and stereotyping prevent nurses from learning executive summary skills, maintain the gender wage gap, and lead to unequal treatment of women and men in the health workforce; structural and systemic barriers within healthcare organizations can restrict their access to these higher-level positions; underrepresentation of women in leadership roles leads to lack of mentors; and lack of work-life balance due to limited flexible work arrangements.
Sexism ; Gender Equity ; Nurses