Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the nature the research trends of articles published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing (JKAFN). Method: Comparison analysis between articles in JKAFN (Volume 13, Number 1-3) and articles in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (Volume 36, Number 1-3, 5-7) based on knowledge development classification was used to identify the nature of research trends in JKAFN. Results: Based on comparison with Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, research trends in JKAFN were dominant; in personal knowledge in the pattern of knowing in nursing, in the desiderative focus in cognitive needs for nursing epistemology, in advancing of various aspects of nursing in the focus of knowledge, and practice domain in the domains for nursing. Conclusion: The major focuses on research trends in JKAFN were nursing practice, actions of nurses in practice and practice guideline applicable in nursing education.