At Nursing Research we are dedicated to building the body of knowledge in nursing. A review of our contents shows that we concentrate on results of specific, defined studies, suggesting our support for the ideas that knowledge is built bit by bit and that many bits become a mountain of knowledge. We usually encourage others to tackle the task of analyzing many studies to understand knowledge gains and gaps in an area.

The supplement with this issue of Nursing Research is a departure from our usual offerings. The supplement, edited by Drs. Jean Wyman and Donna Bliss at the University of Minnesota, grew out of an innovative, invitational conference held in October 2003 where participants heard presentations, engaged in large and small group discussions, and developed recommendations for incontinence research. The articles in the supplement show what has been accomplished in research on incontinence and provide a synthesis of the efforts of nurses and others who have dedicated themselves to understanding and managing this widespread health condition.

The conference provided an opportunity for clinicians, researchers, and others to share ideas and to cooperatively write about their ideas. The articles in the supplement written by conference participants represent a vigorous process in knowledge synthesis. The supplement shows the state of knowledge development in incontinence research, but, more importantly, it is a document to be used actively to guide future research in urinary and fecal incontinence.

We hope you enjoy the articles and appreciate the value of stepping back from specific, defined research and carefully examining a body of knowledge as a way to re-energize a defined area of research on a health condition that affects millions of men and women.