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Descriptive Research (descriptive + research)
Selected AbstractsForming a national multicentre collaboration to conduct clinical trials: Increasing high-quality research in the drug and alcohol fieldDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 5 2010ROB SANSON-FISHER Abstract Issues. There is a shortage of high-quality intervention-based evidence in the drug and alcohol misuse field. That is, evidence based on replicated effects using rigorous methodology, to establish a causal knowledge base around ethical, cost-effective methods relevant to clinical practice. The knowledge base in this field is limited participant recruitment challenges; difficulty generalising results from single-centre studies; lack of research culture; issues in managing research teams; incentives for descriptive research; and limited expertise in research design and working in multidisciplinary teams. Approach. An Australian national multicentre collaboration is proposed to overcome these barriers, and reduce the burden of drug and alcohol misuse by increasing the number of high-quality clinical trials in this field. It would involve: selecting a representative sample of centres nation-wide with expertise in specific drug and alcohol issues; creating an expert multidisciplinary team to facilitate clinical trials; simultaneous recruitment and implementation of clinical trials across centres; establishing a virtual infrastructure; forming an independent data-integrity and methodology review panel; and attracting and allocating funding for clinical trials. Implications. The ability to allocate funding, the involvement of multidisciplinary experts in drug and alcohol research, and the establishment of infrastructure and procedures are likely to result in the national multicentre group's capacity to prescribe the type of research conducted under its auspices. Conclusion. The proposed initiative is likely to increase the volume of high-quality clinical trials in the Australian drug and alcohol field, a key step towards reducing the burden of drug and alcohol misuse.[Sanson-Fisher R, Brand M, Shakeshaft A, Haber P, Day C, Conigrave K, Mattick R, Lintzeris N, Teesson M. Forming a national multicentre collaboration to conduct clinical trials: Increasing high-quality research in the drug and alcohol field. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010;29;469,474] [source] Effectiveness of general practice nurse interventions in cardiac risk factor reduction among adultsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 3 2007Elizabeth Halcomb RN BN(Hons) Grad Cert. Abstract Background, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for adults in Australia. In recent years there has been a shift in health service delivery from institutional to community-based care for chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease. The general practice setting is seen to offer greater flexibility, higher levels of efficiency and more client focused healthcare delivery than is possible in the acute care sector. It has been suggested that practice nurses represent a useful adjunct to current models of cardiovascular disease management. To date, significant descriptive research has been conducted exploring the demographics, roles, educational needs and issues facing practice nurses. However, there is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of practice nurse interventions in terms of patient outcomes, clinician satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. Objectives, This review seeks to present the best available evidence regarding the efficacy of general practice nurse interventions for cardiac risk factor reduction in healthy adults, as well as those with established cardiovascular disease or known cardiac risk factors. Search Strategy, A systematic literature search was performed using Medline (1966 , 2005), CINAHL (1982 ,2005), Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 4, 2005) and the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Library. In addition, the reference lists of retrieved papers, conference proceedings and the Internet, were scrutinised for additional trials. Selection Criteria, This review considered any English language randomised trials that investigated interventions conducted by the practice nurse for cardiovascular disease management or reduction of cardiac risk factors. Interventions conducted by specialist cardiac nurses in general practice were excluded. Outcomes measured included blood pressure, smoking cessation, total cholesterol, exercise, body weight/body mass index and cost-effectiveness. Results, Eighteen trials, reported in 33 papers, were included in the review. Ten trials investigated multifaceted interventions, while the remaining eight trials reported targeted interventions. Of the trials that reported multifaceted interventions, three trials investigated risk reduction in those with established cardiovascular disease, four trials focused on those with known cardiovascular disease risk factors and three trials included the general community. The eight trials which examined the efficacy of targeted interventions focused upon dietary intake (two trials), smoking cessation (three trials), weight reduction (one trial) and physical activity (two trials). The effect of both the multifaceted and targeted interventions on patient outcomes was variable. However, both the multifaceted and targeted interventions demonstrated similar outcome trends for specific variables. Improvements were demonstrated by most studies in blood pressure, cholesterol level, dietary intake and physical activity. The variation in outcome measures and contradictory findings between some studies makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Conclusions, While interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors have produced variable results, they offer significant potential to assist patients in modifying their personal risk profile and should be developed. The public health importance of these changes is dependant upon the sustainability of the change and its effect on the health outcomes of these individuals. Further well-designed research is required to establish the effectiveness of practice nurse interventions for cardiovascular disease management and risk factor reduction in terms of patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. [source] Diaspora Migration: Definitional Ambiguities and a Theoretical ParadigmINTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, Issue 5 2000Judith T. Shuval Diaspora migration is one of many types of migration likely to increase considerably during the early twenty-first century. This article addresses the many ambiguities that surround diaspora migration with a view to developing a meaningful theoretical scheme in which to better understand the processes involved. The term diaspora has acquired a broad semantic domain. It now encompasses a motley array of groups such as political refugees, alien residents, guest workers, immigrants, expellees, ethnic and racial minorities, and overseas communities. It is used increasingly by displaced persons who feel, maintain, invent or revive a connection with a prior home. Concepts of diaspora include a history of dispersal, myths/memories of the homeland, alienation in the host country, desire for eventual return , which can be ambivalent, eschatological or utopian , ongoing support of the homeland and, a collective identity defined by the above relationship. This article considers four central issues: How does diaspora theory link into other theoretical issues? How is diaspora migration different from other types of migration? Who are the relevant actors and what are their roles? What are the social and political functions of diaspora? On the basis of this analysis a theoretical paradigm of diasporas is presented to enable scholars to move beyond descriptive research by identifying different types of diasporas and the dynamics that differentiate among them. Use of the proposed typology , especially in comparative research of different diasporas , makes it possible to focus on structural differences and similarities that could be critical to the social processes involved. [source] Physical Activity Research in NursingJOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 4 2001Lorraine B. Robbins Purpose: To present exemplars of physical activity research in nursing, illustrate the importance of physical activity research across the lifespan, and recommend directions for theory development and research. Methods: Studies of physical activity and exercise currently being conducted by nurse investigators were reported and critiqued by attendees of the Midwest Nursing Research Society 2000 Preconference session entitled "Promoting Physical Activity Among Diverse Groups Across the Health Continuum." Physical activity and exercise literature during the past decade was reviewed. Databases searched included Medline, CINAHL, Wilson, and ERIC. Findings: Investigators have emphasized the need to evaluate the effects of theory-based physical activity interventions designed to alter key correlates of physical activity identified through descriptive research. Conclusions: Regular physical activity is necessary for health promotion and disease prevention for all populations. Continued research in this important area of health behavior is critical to identify the most effective interventions to increase physical activity among diverse populations. [source] Interventions for Weight Management in Postpartum WomenJOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Issue 1 2008Colleen Keller ABSTRACT Objective:, To report the results of a comprehensive review of published intervention studies to identify the best evidence available for guiding weight management interventions in postpartum women. Data Sources:, Electronic searches were conducted of three electronic databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Medline; and the Science Citation Index, Expanded, in the Web of Science from 1994 to May 2007. Keyword searches were conducted using the terms obesity, obese, overweight, postpartum, pregnancy weight, and weight management in postpartum women. Study Selection:, Six studies were selected that met the inclusion criteria of testing interventions and one that reported preintervention planning and targeted a weight management intervention for postpartum women. Data Extraction:, All six interventions showed significant impact with diet and exercise or some combination on body composition in the targeted sample of women. Data Synthesis:, The strengths of previous studies include an emphasis on precision in outcome measures and experimental conditions; limitations were that the theoretical basis for the interventions was frequently omitted and limited attention given to the cultural, social, and contextual factors established in descriptive research. Conclusions:, Interventions need to target women early in their childbearing years to have the most significant long-term impact. [source] Increasing herbal product consumption in Thailand,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 9 2006Arthorn Riewpaiboon PhD Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate expenditures and categories of herbal product consumption in drugstores in Thailand. Methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive research. Study population was drugs and foods produced from herbs sold in all registered drugstores in Thailand. Regarding sampling, one province was selected from each of 13 regions by convenience sampling. Drugstores in each province were included at a proportion of 1% of the population by a convenience sampling method. Purchasing documents of the drugstores were collected for two consecutive months in 2001 and 2003. The medians of prices were used to estimate value of the whole country. Results The sample included 129 and 121 drugstores in 2001 and 2003, respectively. Total consumption was 27 and 32 million US$ (1 US$,=,40 Thai baht) in the year 2001 and 2003, respectively. At constant prices, this represented an increase of 11%. The five top-ranked categories of products used in 2003 were haematonics, post-delivery drugs, anti-constipation, anti-cough, and cardiotonics. Conclusions Herbal product consumption increased by 11% from 2001 to 2003. To cover the full range of consumption of herbal products, further studies should include other outlets, for example hospital and direct sales. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISISANNALS OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2009Sunil K. Khanna The current global food crisis can be, in part, described as an outcome of not only historical patterns of income inequalities and long-standing food trade policies biased in favor of wealthier nations but also in terms of significant reductions in food aid and other safety-net programs for people living in poor nations. Despite the serious nature of the problem of food insecurity, only a limited amount of reliable descriptive research, especially at the community level, has explored the causes and consequences of the current food crisis. Anthropology offers a unique set of methodological and theoretical approaches that can be useful for designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies aimed at alleviating poverty and reducing food insecurity. Anthropologically informed research can provide a dynamic understanding of food insecurity in terms of its causes and consequences and its local, regional, and global underpinnings. This information can be helpful in incorporating a community-level understanding of the "local" determinants of food insecurity for developing effective and sustainable food policy and intervention programs. [source] The Future of Occupational Health PsychologyAPPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Wilmar B. Schaufeli A partir de la prise en considération de la nature changeante du travail, on a identifié trois thèmes prospectifs pour la psychologie de la santé au travail: 1) l'examen des caractéristiques des lieux de travail; 2) la recherche sur les effets des pratiques organisationnelles; 3) la recherche-action. On recense aussi cinq catégories de recherches dans la psychologie de la santé au travail, chacune pouvant contribuer à sa façon aux développements futurs du domaine: 1) la recherche explicative (le développement conceptuel de modèles de stress au travail, le développement d'une perspective d'action personnelle); 2) la recherche descriptive (des études épidémiologiques, les relations avec les paramètres organisationnels objectifs); 3) le développement des outils (la standardisation des questionnaires de stress au travail, l'évaluation des performances); 4) la recherche-action (l'utilisation de programmes de recherche plus rigoureux, l'évaluation coût-efficacité); 5) le changement organisationnel (des comptes rendus plus systématiques des projets de changement, une plus grande attention portée à la mise en oeuvre des projets). Finalement, pour que la psychologie de la santé au travail puisse se développer à l'avenir d'une façon plus équilibrée, on insiste sur la nécessité d'une mutation théorique en passant d'un modèle de la maladie à un modèle de la santé authentique. Taking into account the changing nature of work, three future topics for occupational health psychology were identified: (1) surveillance of workplace characteristics; (2) research on effects of organisational practices; (3) intervention research. Furthermore, five types of research in occupational health psychology are distinguished, each of which may contribute in its own specific way to future developments in the field: (1) explanatory research (e.g. conceptual development of job stress models, development of a personal agency perspective); (2) descriptive research (e.g. epidemiological studies, relationships with objective organisational parameters); (3) tool development (e.g. standardisation of job stress questionnaires, benchmarking); (4) intervention research (e.g. the use of more rigorous research designs, evaluation of cost-effectiveness); (5) organisational change (e.g. more systematic accounts of change projects, more attention for implementation of projects). Finally, the necessity of a paradigm shift from a disease model towards a genuine health model is emphasised so that occupational health psychology may develop in future in a more balanced way. [source] | ||||||||||||||||