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Conceptual Definition (conceptual + definition)
Selected AbstractsA Conceptual Definition and Theoretical Model of Public Deliberation in Small Face,to,Face GroupsCOMMUNICATION THEORY, Issue 4 2002Stephanie Burkhalter Although scholars have begun to study face,to,face deliberation on public issues, "deliberation" has no clear conceptual definition and only weak moorings in larger theories. To address these problems, this essay integrates diverse philosophical and empirical works to define deliberation and place it in a broader theoretical context. Public deliberation is a combination of careful problem analysis and an egalitarian process in which participants have adequate speaking opportunities and engage in attentive listening or dialogue that bridges divergent ways of speaking and knowing. Placed in the meta,theoretical framework of structuration theory (Giddens, 1984), deliberation is theorized to exist at the center of a homeostatic loop, in which deliberative practice reinforces itself. A review of theory and research on the causes and effects of deliberation leads us to develop this structurational conceptualization into the self,reinforcing model of deliberation. This model posits that public deliberation is more likely to occur when discussion participants perceive potential common ground, believe deliberation is an appropriate mode of talk, possess requisite analytic and communication skills, and have sufficient motivation. Deliberation directly reinforces participants' deliberative habits and skills, and it indirectly promotes common ground and motivation by broadening participants' public identities and heightening their sense of political efficacy. [source] The second generation of human security: lessons from the UN and EU experienceINTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, Issue 1 2010MARY MARTIN The concept of human security, while much contested in both academic and policy debates, and highly fragmented across different meanings and forms of implementation, offers a potential locus around which global security discourse might converge, particularly in light of current shifts in US security thinking. However, key pioneers of human security, such as the United Nations and Canada, appear to be losing their enthusiasm for the concept, just at the moment when others such as the European Union, are advancing a human security agenda. This article examines the divergence of human security narratives between the UN and the EU. It argues that the UN's use of the concept ran aground owing to a triple problematic of lack of clarity, confusion between previously distinct policy streams on human rights and human development and conceptual overstretch. After assessing the EU experience with the concept to date, the article argues that future use of human security will require greater focus on how it deepens ideas of individual security, rather than treating it as an agenda for broadening security. As well as a need to project clarity on the conceptual definition of human security, there is also a need to associate human security with greater clarity of intent. If successful, this would contribute to establishing second generation human security as a new policy paradigm. [source] Concept clarification of neonatal neurobehavioural organizationJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 5 2008Aleeca F. Bell Abstract Title.,Concept clarification of neonatal neurobehavioural organization Aim., This paper is a report of a concept analysis of neonatal neurobehavioural organization for healthy full-term infants. Background., The neonatal period is an opportune time for researchers and clinicians to assess and intervene for optimal neurobehavioural organization. Yet there is inconsistency and lack of clarity in a scientifically grounded definition of neonatal neurobehavioural organization. Clarification of the concept will strengthen research findings that influence practice for optimal infant development. Method., A concept analysis of the literature between 1939 and 2007 (n = 57) was conducted using Penrod and Hupcey's principle-based concept analysis and Morse's concept clarification. Findings., The concept analysis within and across multiple disciplines revealed: (1) a view of the concept as a holistic phenomenon with multiple dimensions; (2) no agreement on the ideal instrument to operationally define the concept; and (3) consistency in implied meaning, but great variability in terminology. Neonatal neurobehavioural organization was defined as the ability of the neonate to use goal-directed states of consciousness, in reciprocal interaction with the caregiving environment, to facilitate the emergence of differentiating, hierarchical, and coordinated neurobehavioural systems, with ever-increasing resiliency and capacity to learn from complex stimuli. Conclusion., A clear conceptual definition will help the international community to communicate effectively within and between disciplines and to apply evidence-based research findings. It will encourage the development of valid and reliable instruments to capture the concept's multiple dimensions and direct attention to the infant's experience, which sculpts early neurobehavioural organization. [source] Living with uncertainty: concept advancementJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2007Janice Penrod Abstract Aim., This paper reports a study to demonstrate how the scientific understanding of the concept of uncertainty was advanced through a phenomenological study of living with uncertainty. Background., Techniques for concept analysis have evolved to subsume strategies for advancing a concept towards greater clarity and utility for research and practice. Recently, it has been argued that a clear delineation of techniques for concept analysis as separate and distinct from techniques of concept advancement is warranted. This article applies such delineated processes to demonstrate the advancement of the concept of uncertainty. Method., Concept analysis was used to establish an integrated understanding of the state of the science. Gaps in understanding were carefully analysed, resulting in the research question guiding the next phase of concept advancement: what is the nature of the lived experience of uncertainty? A phenomenological investigation of the experience of uncertainty among family caregivers was conducted. Then, using methods of template comparison, the conceptual attributes identified through the phenomenological study were compared and contrasted with the theoretical definition derived through concept analysis. Finally, a new conceptual definition of higher order abstraction, with greater pragmatic utility, was derived. Findings., Uncertainty is rooted in the individual's perception of outcomes or meaning of a situation. Such perceptions challenge one's sense of confidence and/or control to yield varied types and modes of uncertainty. Uncertainty is present oriented. Both cognitive and precognitive ways of knowing are influential in ascribing meaning, anticipating outcomes and adapting strategies. Conclusions., One's sense of confidence and sense of control are primary essences that determine the nature of the experience of uncertainty. The experience of living with uncertainty is dynamic, with fluctuations in the types and modes of uncertainty in response to precognitive and cognitive ways of knowing. Probabilistic paradigms preclude existential and situational modes of uncertainty for which probabilities cannot be appreciated. [source] A CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THEORY-BUILDING RESEARCH: GUIDELINES FOR SCIENTIFIC THEORY BUILDING,JOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2008JOHN G. WACKER Business academics have focused their attention on empirical investigation of programs' effect on organizational competitive performance. These studies primarily emphasize theory building. With the many definitions of theory, academics are not certain whether their research papers meet the specific requirements for theory development required by the academic field of the philosophy of science. Certainly, supply chain academics generally believe that their academic articles fulfill the requirements of theory building. Although many of these articles do have elements of theory, more focus is needed on the specific requirements of theory to assure that academic research is "good" theory building. The primary purpose of this research paper is to logically develop a set of guidelines to assist empirical researchers to assure that their studies fulfill the requirements of good theory based upon traditional scientific theory building. By fulfilling the requirements of good theory, researchers will develop studies that will have a lasting impact on their academic field. To achieve a lasting impact on an academic field, it is necessary to follow a logical plan. This article provides a plan for logical guidelines for developing an understanding of how and why "good" theory building is achieved. This article logically develops a formal conceptual definition of theory along with its related properties to understand these guidelines. Next, it analyzes the requirements of theory, "good" theory, and their properties. These guidelines are included in the existing philosophy of science publications. However, this article consolidates these sources and logically explains why these guidelines are needed. In the conclusion, the guidelines are summarized to serve as a summary checklist for supply chain researchers to use for ensuring their articles will be recognized as a contribution to the academic field. So in that sense, this article does not develop a revolutionary new insight into theory-building empirical articles, but rather integrates diverse traditional philosophy of science requirements into a much simpler set of guidelines. Through logical development of these guidelines, researchers will understand the structure of theory and how to ensure their studies can be modified to have a lasting impact on the field of supply chain management. [source] Unbearable suffering of patients with a request for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide: an integrative reviewPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Marianne Dees Abstract Purpose: In the legal performance of the euthanasia procedure, unbearable suffering, one of the requirements of due care, is difficult to assess. Evaluation of the current knowledge of unbearable suffering is needed in the ongoing debate about the conditions on which EAS can be approved. Methods: Using an integrative literature review, we evaluated publications with definitions of suffering in general or in end-of-life situations and with descriptions of suffering in the context of a request for EAS. Data synthesis: From the 1482 citations identified, we included 55 publications: 20 articles about definitions of suffering and 35 empirical studies on suffering. We found no definition of unbearable suffering in the context of a request for EAS. Qualitative patient-centered studies revealed the most motivations, and the most motivations named by only one of the three parties involved. The studies of relatives were limited, mainly quantitative and retrospective. We found no studies that brought together the views of the patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. Conclusions: There is no generally accepted definition of ,unbearable suffering' in the context of a request for EAS. On the basis of the articles reviewed, we propose the following conceptual definition: ,Unbearable suffering in the context of a request for EAS is a profoundly personal experience of an actual or perceived impending threat to the integrity or life of the person, which has a significant duration and a central place in the person's mind'. Further patient-centered qualitative research into suffering is needed to clarify this definition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Conceptual Definition and Theoretical Model of Public Deliberation in Small Face,to,Face GroupsCOMMUNICATION THEORY, Issue 4 2002Stephanie Burkhalter Although scholars have begun to study face,to,face deliberation on public issues, "deliberation" has no clear conceptual definition and only weak moorings in larger theories. To address these problems, this essay integrates diverse philosophical and empirical works to define deliberation and place it in a broader theoretical context. Public deliberation is a combination of careful problem analysis and an egalitarian process in which participants have adequate speaking opportunities and engage in attentive listening or dialogue that bridges divergent ways of speaking and knowing. Placed in the meta,theoretical framework of structuration theory (Giddens, 1984), deliberation is theorized to exist at the center of a homeostatic loop, in which deliberative practice reinforces itself. A review of theory and research on the causes and effects of deliberation leads us to develop this structurational conceptualization into the self,reinforcing model of deliberation. This model posits that public deliberation is more likely to occur when discussion participants perceive potential common ground, believe deliberation is an appropriate mode of talk, possess requisite analytic and communication skills, and have sufficient motivation. Deliberation directly reinforces participants' deliberative habits and skills, and it indirectly promotes common ground and motivation by broadening participants' public identities and heightening their sense of political efficacy. [source] State of Research in High-consequence Hospital Surge CapacityACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Carl H. Schultz MD High-consequence surge research involves a systems approach that includes elements such as healthcare facilities, out-of-hospital systems, mortuary services, public health, and sheltering. This article focuses on one aspect of this research, hospital surge capacity, and discusses a definition for such capacity, its components, and future considerations. While conceptual definitions of surge capacity exist, evidence-based practical guidelines for hospitals require enhancement. The Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) definition and benchmarks are extrapolated from those of other countries and rely mainly on trauma data. The most significant part of the HRSA target, the need to care for 500 victims stricken with an infectious disease per one million population in 24 hours, was not developed using a biological model. If HRSA's recommendation is applied to a sample metropolitan area such as Orange County, California, this translates to a goal of expanding hospital capacity by 20%,25% in the first 24 hours. Literature supporting this target is largely consensus based or anecdotal. There are no current objective measures defining hospital surge capacity. The literature identifying the components of surge capacity is fairly consistent and lists them as personnel, supplies and equipment, facilities, and a management system. Studies identifying strategies for hospitals to enhance these components and estimates of how long it will take are lacking. One system for augmenting hospital staff, the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals, is a consensus-derived plan that has never been tested. Future challenges include developing strategies to handle the two different types of high-consequence surge events: 1) a focal, time-limited event (such as an earthquake) where outside resources exist and can be mobilized to assist those in need and 2) a widespread, prolonged event (such as pandemic influenza) where all resources will be in use and rationing or triage is needed. [source] Financial Literacy Explicated: The Case for a Clearer Definition in an Increasingly Complex EconomyJOURNAL OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, Issue 2 2010DAVID L. REMUND This study explicates the concept of financial literacy, which has blossomed in use this century. Scholars, policy officials, financial experts and consumer advocates have used the phrase loosely to describe the knowledge, skills, confidence and motivation necessary to effectively manage money. As a result, financial literacy has varying conceptual definitions in existing research, as well as diverse operational definitions and values. This study dissects the differing financial literacy definitions and measures, urging researchers toward common ground. A clearer definition should improve future research, in turn helping consumers better understand and adapt to changing life events and an increasingly complex economy. [source] Analysing Texts in Context: Current Practices and New Protocols for Critical Discourse Analysis in Organization StudiesJOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 6 2010Shirley Leitch abstract Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) in organization studies would be strengthened by an increased focus on a central CDA tenet that texts should be analysed in context. Context has, for the most part, been afforded a taken-for-granted status that is misplaced because of the diverse ways in which it may be defined and applied. These generally unacknowledged differences relate to whether context is treated as space, time, practice, change, or frame. The result is a confusing array of studies claiming some degree of CDA status without core agreement , or acknowledgement of disagreements , about what is meant by context or how it should be linked to texts. To remedy this situation we identify in this Point article nine methodological protocols related to conceptual definitions, data selection, and data analysis which we argue benefit the consistency and rigour with which CDA in organization studies is applied. Use of these protocols may also serve as criteria against which the rigour of CDA research papers may be assessed. [source] Use of O*NET as a job exposure matrix: A literature reviewAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2010Manuel Cifuentes MD Abstract Background O*NET is a publicly available online database that describes occupational features across US job titles and that has been used to estimate workplace physical and psychosocial exposures and organizational characteristics. The aim of this review is to describe and evaluate the use of O*NET as a job exposure matrix. Methods A review of the peer-reviewed published and gray literature was conducted. Twenty-eight studies were found that used O*NET to estimate work exposures related to health or safety outcomes. Each was systematically evaluated across eight main features. Results Many health outcomes have been studied with O*NET estimates of job exposures. Some studies did not use conceptual definitions of exposure; few studies estimated convergent validity, most used predictive validity. Multilevel analysis was underutilized. Conclusion O*NET is worthy of exploration by the occupational health community, although its scientific value is still undetermined. More studies could eventually provide evidence of convergent validity. O*NET has the potential to allow examination of occupational risks that might have otherwise been ignored due to missing data or resource constraints on field data collection of job exposure information. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:898,914, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A review of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after acquired brain injuryANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2010Iain Perkes BMedSc Severe excessive autonomic overactivity occurs in a subgroup of people surviving acquired brain injury, the majority of whom show paroxysmal sympathetic and motor overactivity. Delayed recognition of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) after brain injury may increase morbidity and long-term disability. Despite its significant clinical impact, the scientific literature on this syndrome is confusing; there is no consensus on nomenclature, etiological information for diagnoses preceding the condition is poorly understood, and the evidence base underpinning our knowledge of the pathophysiology and management strategies is largely anecdotal. This systematic literature review identified 2 separate categories of paroxysmal autonomic overactivity, 1 characterized by relatively pure sympathetic overactivity and another group of disorders with mixed parasympathetic/sympathetic features. The PSH group comprised 349 reported cases, with 79.4% resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI), 9.7% from hypoxia, and 5.4% from cerebrovascular accident. Although TBI is the dominant causative etiology, there was some suggestion that the true incidence of the condition is highest following cerebral hypoxia. In total, 31 different terms were identified for the condition. Although the most common term in the literature was dysautonomia, the consistency of sympathetic clinical features suggests that a more specific term should be used. The findings of this review suggest that PSH be adopted as a more clinically relevant and appropriate term. The review highlights major problems regarding conceptual definitions, diagnostic criteria, and nomenclature. Consensus on these issues is recommended as an essential basis for further research in the area. ANN NEUROL 2010;68:126,135 [source] | ||||||||||||||||