1,720,958 research outputs found
Constructivist grounded theory or interpretive phenomenology?: Methodological choices within specific study contexts
No full textConstructivist research methodologies are useful in discerning meanings of experience to subsequently inform and improve
healthcare practice. For researchers who philosophically align with the constructivist paradigm, numerous methodologies are
available from which to choose to address research questions. However, it can be challenging for researchers, especially novice
ones, to choose the most appropriate methodology that aligns with the current state of knowledge of the identified topic,
proposed research question, and the study purpose. To reduce the confusion faced by health researchers when choosing an
appropriate methodology for a specific study, this paper compares two popular qualitative health research approaches:
constructivist grounded theory and interpretive phenomenology. Philosophical underpinnings and the epistemological and ontological evolution of each methodology are explored with similarities and differences highlighted. Manifestation of the philosophical
foundations of constructivist grounded theory and interpretive phenomenology are described in relation to data collection, analysis,
and the research findings. To illustrate distinctions of each approach and support researchers in the navigation of methodological
decision-making, a specific healthcare study context is presented: the rural family members’ experiences of a relative’s interhospital
transfer for advanced critical care services. This study context is increasingly being recognized as an important area of healthcare
research and practice. However, gaps in knowledge persist, specifically in relation to the experiences of rural family members when a
critically ill relative requires an interhospital transfer to a distant urban center for advanced critical care services. Improved understanding of such experiences is necessary to inform the care provided to rural family members, potentially mitigating short and
long-term negative consequences for these individuals. Within this example, the importance of the research purpose and research
question within a specific study context is underscored as central to appropriate methodological decision-making
Critically ill patients: Family experiences of interfacility transfers from rural to urban centers and impact on family relationships
No full textA critical illness event is intensely stressful for family members and can lead to negative psychological, emotional, social and financial consequences. In geographically rural areas, critically ill patients may require an interfacility transfer to an urban centre for advanced critical care services. In this context, research suggests that these family members from rural areas experience additional burdens, yet little is known about these experiences. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to explore lived experiences of family members from rural areas whose critically ill relative undergoes an interfacility transfer to an urban centre for advanced critical care services. Participants described feelings of vulnerability in the urban centre, the need to protect the critically ill patient and other relatives, maintaining responsibilities at home, navigating family relationships, and a loss of connection during the transfer window. These findings may better position nurses to address family members’ stress and anxiety during this experience
Influences of the culture of science on nursing knowledge development: Using conceptual frameworks as nursing philosophy in critical care nursing
No full textNursing knowledge development and application are influenced by numerous factors within the context of science and practice. The prevailing culture of science along with an evolving context of increasingly technological environments and rationalization within health care impacts both the generation of nursing knowledge and the practice of nursing. The effects of the culture of science and the context of nursing practice may negatively impact the structure and application of nursing knowledge, how nurses practice, and how nurses understand the patients and families for whom they care. Specifically, the nature of critical care and its highly technical environment make critical care nursing especially vulnerable to these potentially negative influences. The influences of the culture of science and the increasingly technical practice context may result in an overreliance on the natural sciences to guide critical care nursing actions and an associated marginalization of the caring relationship in critical care nursing practice. Within this environment, nursing philosophy may not be foundational to nursing actions; rather, the dominant culture of science and the rationalization of health care may be informing nursing practice. As such, the ideology and goals of nursing may not be central to the practice of critical care nursing. The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of the culture of science on the development of nursing knowledge and theory. Further, we aim to describe the value of using conceptual frameworks, such as Roy's Adaptation Model, as a nursing philosophy to influence the development of person‐centred nursing knowledge and theory to inform critical care nursing practice as it related to the care of patients and families. In doing so, nursing philosophy is situated as foundational for nursing actions
“I Just Don’t Think There’s Any Other Image That Tells The Story Like [This] Picture Does”: Researcher and Participant Reflections on the Use of Participant-Employed Photography in Social Research
No full textThe incorporation of visual forms of expression has become common in qualitative research over the past two decades, with participant-employed photography being most prevalent. Visual methods such as photovoice have been used in community-based studies and with individuals to explore their lived experiences, particularly because of their participatory nature. Despite widespread support for visual approaches in existing research, there has been insufficient attention paid to how photography can enhance understanding of the phenomenon under study. Additionally, the existing literature is somewhat bereft of discussion of what individuals think about their participation in studies that incorporate participant-employed photography, or researchers’ perspectives of carrying out this type of research. In this article, we describe a photovoice study carried out with young adult women affected by serious illness and provide examples of participants’ photographs to illustrate how participant-employed photography can enhance the depth of research data. Specifically, the examples highlight how the photographs enriched participants’ verbal descriptions of their lived experiences, which generated a better understanding of their personal embodied realities. We also discuss the young adult women’s inclusion of previously taken photographs and reflections on their participation in the study. Finally, we examine the need to consider the intended audience of photographs, and specific ethical and methodological considerations for researchers contemplating the incorporation of participant-employed photography. In doing so, we provide insight into the advantages and challenges of photo-methods, which can inform other researchers contemplating the incorporation of participant-employed photography into social research
Mothers and daughters' experiences of breast cancer : family roles, responsibilities, and relationships
Full text linkExisting research suggests that illness can have profound implications for the family. The purpose of this thesis is to explore mothers and daughters’ experiences of the mothers’ breast cancer in order to determine how their lives were affected by the illness. In particular, I focus on shifts that occurred in their family roles, responsibilities, and relationships. Twelve qualitative interviews were performed with four mother-daughter dyads. Each mother and daughter participated in an initial interview together, as well as a separate follow-up interview. Interview data was analyzed thematically using a blended feminist-interpretive approach. The major themes emerging from the analysis pertained to: shifts in family roles and responsibilities, coping with breast cancer, and growth in family relationships. These themes identify specific aspects of mothers and daughters’ lives that were affected by breast cancer. Specifically, the findings contribute to the overarching theme that mothers and daughters experienced “biographical disruption” as a result of the mothers’ breast cancer, in that the illness required the women to re-assess their everyday lives and expectations for the future. However, the range of experiences described by the mothers and daughters suggest that the degree to which biographical disruption occurred varied depending on the extent to which their lives were altered by breast cancer. Therefore, I conclude that mothers and daughters experienced varying degrees of biographical disruption as a result of the mothers’ breast cancer. This conclusion indicates that the breast cancer diagnosis has an array of significant implications for mothers and daughters, some of which continue well beyond the completion of acute care. Recognizing that mothers and daughters’ family roles, responsibilities, and relationships were affected to some extent by the breast cancer experience will help to improve the types of support offered to women in the future
Negotiating serious illness : understanding young women's experiences through Photovoice
Full text linkAlthough serious illness is often associated with aging in contemporary society, increasing numbers of young adults are being diagnosed with a variety of serious illnesses. In order to learn more about what it is like to be seriously ill during young adulthood, I completed a qualitative study with ten young women who had recently been affected by a life-threatening or chronic illness. The research was informed by a theoretical approach based on social constructionist and phenomenological principles that recognize that physiological processes such
as illness are socially mediated and given meaning within a certain socio-cultural context. Thus,the life course and its corresponding stages are not universal or biologically determined, but
rather are social constructions based on socio-cultural factors and the meanings given to certain
biological events. This research involved participants between the ages of 20 and 37 from around Saskatchewan who had been affected by a serious illness within the previous three years. The methodological approach that I utilized was interpretive and drew upon phenomenological,
feminist, and participatory visual approaches to qualitative research. The young women participated in phenomenological interviews and a photovoice project that explored their ‘lived
experiences’ of serious illness and the specific issues that they faced because of illness. I
analyzed the data thematically, incorporating phenomenological concepts of embodiment,
temporality, and relationality. Although the interview and photographic data highlighted a range of experiences, the data highlighted several similarities among participants. Foremost, the data revealed that serious illness was highly disruptive for the young women; specifically, participants were required to negotiate disruptions to their sense of embodiment, everyday lives, expectations for the future, and social relationships. Ultimately, serious illness brought about embodied and social experiences that conflicted with how participants had previously envisioned young adulthood and their life course. As such, their experiences of illness had profound implications for their self identity and brought about a complex process of trying to make sense of illness. Based on these findings, I conclude that the young women experienced and made sense of illness within the context of socio-cultural expectations related to age and the life course, as well as gender. I also identify the implications of this research for health care and support services aimed at this population
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Critical Illness and Rurality: Interfacility Transfers to Urban Centres and the Impact on Rural Families
Full text linkA relative’s critical illness is an intensely stressful time for family members. In the past, it was generally assumed that family members were relatively unaffected by a relative’s admission to an intensive care unit. However, there has been increasing understanding and concern in the healthcare community that family members experience negative, long-term psychological, emotional, physical and financial consequences from this experience. In addition to these noted negative consequences, it has been suggested that the unique context of rural family members of critically ill patients may result in additional burdens. In rural areas, a critically ill patient’s healthcare needs at times exceed the service capacity of the local hospital, thereby necessitating an interfacility transfer of the patient to a distant urban centre for advanced critical care services. To date, the rural family member’s experience of this phenomenon is poorly understood, specifically within the context of North America. The purpose of this study was to gain an increased understanding of the meaning of the lived experiences for rural family members whose relative undergoes an interfacility transfer to an urban tertiary centre for advanced critical care services. Munhall’s method of interpretive phenomenology was used to guide this study. Purposive sampling strategies resulted in the recruitment of 11 participants who experienced this phenomenon. Data analysis revealed the common themes of a longing for home, a sacrifice of self, and a persistent need to be close to the critically ill patient. Unique, context-specific meanings were also revealed by analyzing data through the lenses of the four life-worlds: corporeality, relationality, spatiality, and temporality. These meanings included a sense of vulnerability in the urban centre, a reluctance to communicate with urban healthcare providers, a loss of connection to both the critically ill relative and other family members, and a need to maintain responsibilities at home while in the urban centre. Through this study, nurses may better understand the multiple possible, context-specific meanings of this experience for rural family members thereby enhancing the individualized nursing care of these family members. Specifically, rural nurses may advocate for family members to be provided telephone contact details of the transport team or be permitted to accompany their relative during transfer to maintain a sense of closeness during transport. Urban nurses may appreciate the uniqueness of both rurality as culture and the loss of supports experienced by family members during this event and, thus, offer additional supports to rural family members. This improved understanding is specifically important for urban and rural critical care nurses who are in a key position to implement interventions to mitigate additive burdens experienced by rural family members
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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