1,720,956 research outputs found
An exploration of preparation for parenthood amongst first-time biological parents
Get PDFPhD ThesisBackground and aim: The first-time experience of parenthood is a major life event which is
associated with many stresses and rewards. Lack of preparation for parenthood has been
shown to result in sub-optimal transitions for the individual parents and the dyadic
relationship if present. Hence, this study aimed to explore preparation for first-time
parenthood from multiple perspectives.
Methods: A multi-method, multi-phased, study consisting of a concept analysis using Walker
and Avant’s framework was used to explore the term ‘preparation for parenthood’ (phase
one); a systematic review of measurement instruments used in the assessment of preparation
for first-time parenthood (phase two) and; in-depth interviews with women, men and couples
to develop an understanding of their experiences of preparation for first-time biological
parenthood (phase three). Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the
data elicited in phase three of this study.
Results and discussion: Phase one resulted in a preliminary conceptual model consisting of
five core domains (psychological, sociological, cultural, spiritual and physical) related to
preparation for first-time parenthood. These core domains served as the foundation for the
development of phases two and three respectively. The systematic review work revealed that
currently there are only a few instruments which measure aspects related to these core
domains. Existing tools focus on parental competence, maternal adjustment, expectations,
postnatal support and paternal adaptation. The qualitative findings of this study showed how
preparation for the first-time experience of parenthood launched a transformation within the
women, men and couples alike and was an integral part of their journeys. What may seem like
a natural transformation was, in fact, the result of a complex endeavour, with its difficulties
and consequences, but also with a possibility for empowerment and growth within individual
parents and within the dyadic relationship.
Conclusion: There is a need to support both women and men as early as the preconception
phase, creating learning opportunities and promoting engagement with educational resources
all throughout the childbearing experience, with a particular focus on preparation for
parenthood. Addressing the apparent contradictions that are related to the first-time
experience of parenthood is paramount in achieving optimum transitions with positive
outcomes for both the parents and their children. The findings of this overall study hold
potential importance for future work with prospective first-time parents especially with
regards to the design and implementation of interventions aimed at supporting individuals
through the transition to first-time parenthood.University of Malt
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe 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
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“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
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Get PDFWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
koamabayili/VECTRON-author-checklist: VECTRON author checklist
No full textWe have done our best to complete the author checklist relating to the use of animals in the hut study. Note that the objective for the hut study was to evaluate the IRS treatment applications for residual efficacy against Anopheles mosquitoes, including the local An. coluzzii mosquito population. Cows were only used to attract mosquitoes into the huts and no tests were carried out directly on the cows. The author checklist is intended for use with studies where experiments are carried out on animals, which is why we have had such difficulty in completing this for the hut study, as many of the questions do not relate to how the cows were used
Mothers’ experiences of induction of labour
Get PDFInduction of labour is one of the most commonly performed interventions in Malta, occurring in approximately 28% of labours (NOIS 2018). Research has explored methods of induction and labour outcomes associated with medical inductions. However, much less is known about women’s experiences of the induction process, especially within the local context. Thus, this study aimed to explore mothers’ lived experiences of induction of labour by looking into their understanding of the procedure and highlighting their feelings towards it. The qualitative paradigm was used to conduct this study amongst a convenience sample of eight primiparous mothers. These mothers participated in a one-time, face-to-face, individual interview 24 to 36 hours after childbirth, which was audio-recorded with the participants’ consent. Data was generated through the use of a purposely-designed, semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The results elicited from this study indicated that women lacked sufficient information to make an informed decision and provide consent for their induction of labour. Mothers described how they tried to naturally induce labour in an attempt to avoid a medical induction. The findings of this study highlight how participating women felt that the medical induction affected their mode of birth. Sub-optimal labour experiences may significantly impact women and their families. Hence, reflecting on their experiences can serve to inform practice in terms of care delivery. This study recommends that an in-depth explanation of the induction of labour process is provided to expectant parents during the antenatal period, comprising both the benefits and the risks, so that they can exercise their right to informed consent. Furthermore, whilst Malta follows an obstetric-led model of maternity care, a woman- centred care approach based on the woman’s needs may help mothers feel more in control of their pregnancy and labour, potentially increasing their satisfaction with their birthing experience.peer-reviewe
Author-wise bibliometric analysis based on entropy.
No full textAuthor-wise bibliometric analysis based on entropy.</p
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