1,581 research outputs found
Future Challenges for Mixed Methods Research in Nursing and the Health Sciences
No full textNursing and health science researchers have, increasingly, embraced mixed methods to guide their exploration of the complex phenomena that infl uence human health. The mixed methods approach offers a fl exibility and depth of insight that is not possible to achieve through the use of either qualitative or quantitative methods alone. Despite a growth in popularity, it is clear to us that using mixed methods approaches in themselves does not mean that the research is inherently good. High quality application of the mixed methods approach requires consideration of the theoretical underpinnings and careful planning of data collection methods and analysis techniques. Like its qualitative and quantitative counterparts, the mixed methods approach can be of
variable quality and rigour. In order to maintain the integrity of mixed
methods as a research approach it is vital that researchers engage in scholarly debate within the literature not only regarding philosophical issues, but also practical considerations, to guide those using mixed methods in their research. This text has sought to do this by providing a combination of practical advice supplemented with contemporary examples from the literature and introducing the reader to the current issues faced by nursing and the health science researchers using mixed methods
Introduction to Mixed Methods Research for Nursing and the Health Sciences
No full textIn this chapter we have introduced the reader to the current trends in
mixed methods research, and to the terminology that will be expanded
and refi ned during progress through the text. We wish you well in your
research and studies and look forward to watching the science of mixed
methods develop and grow in the future
The evolution of nursing in Australian general practice: a comparative analysis of workforce surveys ten years on
No full textThis article describes the current demographic and employment characteristics of Australian nurses working in general practice, and explores trends in their role over time.
Abstract:
Background
Nursing in Australian general practice has grown rapidly over the last decade in response to government initiatives to strengthen primary care. There are limited data about how this expansion has impacted on the nursing role, scope of practice and workforce characteristics. This study aimed to describe the current demographic and employment characteristics of Australian nurses working in general practice and explore trends in their role over time.
Methods
In the nascence of the expansion of the role of nurses in Australian general practice (2003–2004) a national survey was undertaken to describe nurse demographics, clinical roles and competencies. This survey was repeated in 2009–2010 and comparative analysis of the datasets undertaken to explore workforce changes over time.
Results
Two hundred eighty four nurses employed in general practice completed the first survey (2003/04) and 235 completed the second survey (2009/10). Significantly more participants in Study 2 were undertaking follow-up of pathology results, physical assessment and disease specific health education. There was also a statistically significant increase in the participants who felt that further education/training would augment their confidence in all clinical tasks (p < 0.001). Whilst the impact of legal implications as a barrier to the nurses’ role in general practice decreased between the two time points, more participants perceived lack of space, job descriptions, confidence to negotiate with general practitioners and personal desire to enhance their role as barriers. Access to education and training as a facilitator to nursing role expansion increased between the two studies. The level of optimism of participants for the future of the nurses’ role in general practice was slightly decreased over time.
Conclusions
This study has identified that some of the structural barriers to nursing in Australian general practice have been addressed over time. However, it also identifies continuing barriers that impact practice nurse role development. Understanding and addressing these issues is vital to optimise the effectiveness of the primary care nursing workforce
A Mixed Methods Sequential Explanatory Study: Police Referrals to a Psychiatric Facility
No full textAction Research as a Mixed Methods Design: A palliative approach in residential aged care
No full textThis chapter contains sections titled:
Introduction
The Residential-Palliative Approach Competency (R-PAC) Project
Reconciling mixed methods research in an action research paradigm
Historical background of action research
Relevance of action research to health care
Design of the R-PAC Project
Preliminary investigations
Methodological considerations
Theoretical perspective
Challenges for the novice researcher
Conclusion
Key points
References
ISBN: 978140516777
Comparison of several author indices for gauging academic productivity
No full textBackground
Many author indices exist to gauge academic productivity. Several of these indices are calculated based upon an author's scholarly publication record, but the measurement methodology to calculate each index varies considerably, and the precise function being used, as well as the end result, is often complex and difficult to assess.
Method
Two straightforward methods to weigh author productivity from the publication and citation record were evaluated as possible means for providing a clearer assessment of scholarly activity. The author characteristic index (termed c-index) assigns author rank for each publication based upon author position. The characteristic prime (c') -index normalizes author rank from author position, so that the total weight per publication is unity. The top 10 scholars with keyword 'celiac disease' in the Google Scholar database were then assessed using these metrics. Rankings according to total number of publications, h-index, and c- and c'-indices were compared, then tabulated along with total papers included for assessment, and mean values per paper for author position, number of authors, citations, and year of publication.
Results
The order of the top ten authors with keyword 'celiac disease' varied substantially depending upon whether the h-index, c-index, or c'-index was used as a gauge. The characteristic indices assign credit to authors according to their position in an author list. The affiliated metrics provided a more complete picture of scholarly activity.
Conclusions
Academic achievement by scholars, based upon quantitative publication characteristics, has recently become of interest for evaluating job candidates, for determining work performance, and for bestowing awards and honors. The characteristic indices as described herein are readily calculated and interpreted, and may improve the assessment of scholarly activity
Exploring the development of Australian general practice nursing: Where we have come from and where to from here?
No full textSignificant development has occurred in the role and scope of Australian general practice nursing in the last decade. Although there has been a nursing presence in Australian general practice for many years (Linn 1977). current workforce shortages and the growinq need for chronic and complex disease manaqement and provision of preventive health care in the community have fuelled role development (Halcomb, Patterson & Davidson 2006). In an effort to explore and document the evolution of scholarship and professional development in Australian general practice nursing a content analysis of the proceedings of the four Australian practice nursing conferences was undertaken. This framework allows the mapping of the trajectory related to professional development issues, policy, research and scholarship. Content analysis revealed that the papers presented at each of the four conferences could be broadly divided into six major themes, namely: (1) role of the practice nurse, (2) education and training, (3) research, (4) legal, ethical and risk issues, (5) innovation in clinical practice, and (6) operational and management issues in general practice. Documenting the evolution of this emerging specialty is important in planning initiatives to maximise practice nurses' important contribution to primary health care. Copyright © eContent Management Pty Ltd
Organic Scintillator-Fibre Sensors for Proton Therapy Dosimetry: SCSF-3HF and EJ-260
No full textIn proton therapy, the dose from secondary neutrons to the patient can contribute to side effects and the creation of secondary cancer. A simple and fast detection system to distinguish between dose from protons and neutrons both in pretreatment verification as well as potentially in vivo monitoring is needed to minimize dose from secondary neutrons. Two 3 mm long, 1 mm diameter organic scintillators were tested for candidacy to be used in a proton–neutron discrimination detector. The SCSF-3HF (1500) scintillating fibre (Kuraray Co. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan) and EJ-260 plastic scintillator (Eljen Technology, Sweetwater, TX, USA) were irradiated at the TRIUMF Neutron Facility and the Proton Therapy Research Centre. In the proton beam, we compared the raw Bragg peak and spread-out Bragg peak response to the industry standard Markus chamber detector. Both scintillator sensors exhibited quenching at high LET in the Bragg peak, presenting a peak-to-entrance ratio of 2.59 for the EJ-260 and 2.63 for the SCSF-3HF fibre, compared to 3.70 for the Markus chamber. The SCSF-3HF sensor demonstrated 1.3 times the sensitivity to protons and 3 times the sensitivity to neutrons as compared to the EJ-260 sensor. Combined with our equations relating neutron and proton contributions to dose during proton irradiations, and the application of Birks’ quenching correction, these fibres provide valid candidates for inexpensive and replicable proton-neutron discrimination detectors
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