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Biomedical subjects

C M Begley

Publications and source records attributed to C M Begley.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Triangulation of communication skills in qualitative research instruments.

Triangulation is a credible and useful method of conducting research which can result in an increase in both quality and quantity of data gathered. The five documented types of triangulation (data, investigator, theoretical, methodological, unit of analysis) do not completely answer all the needs of nurse researchers, particularly in the field of qualitative research. Using more than one method of data collection from within the same research tradition (within-method triangulation) is an accepted and effective technique. Extending the concept of triangulation to include the development of research tools leads to the proposal that the conscious use of two or three types of communication within each qualitative research instrument would improve its effectiveness over a tool which used only one type. This application of 'triangulation of communication skills' is considered within each of the major qualitative research tools, and the benefits outlined. The implications for nursing research and nurse researchers of consciously using non-verbal cues to supplement verbal information are described. It is suggested that using triangulation of communication skills in this way may improve the validity of data obtained and, if clearly documented, increase the credibility of the findings. In particular, when conducting qualitative interviews, the expert use of triangulation of communication skills will enhance the quality and quantity of data gathered. To this end, novice researchers need education and practice in using communication skills to best effect, in order to ensure the validity and completeness of their findings.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1996

Using triangulation in nursing research.

Triangulation is proposed by many nurse researchers as a means of solving the quantitative/qualitative debate and integrating the two approaches. While this view is accurate, it does not take into account the possible complexity and usefulness of triangulation, nor does it fully recognize the two goals of triangulation: confirmation and completeness of data. In this paper the five types of triangulation (data, investigator, theoretical, methodological, and unit of analysis) are described and the advantages and disadvantages of using this method are discussed. It is argued that the view that triangulation is merely the combination of different methods of investigation is a narrow one, and it is recommended that nurse researchers increase their utilization of the four less frequently used types of triangulation: data, investigator, theoretical and unit of analysis. When using triangulation of methods, researchers should also consider whether the use of within-method triangulation would be beneficial to their study. Sequential use of quantitative and qualitative methods to develop and refine tools of enquiry may also be more effective for certain studies than the more usual simultaneous use. The 'triangulation state of mind', the conscious employment of multiple data sources and methods to cross-check and validate findings continuously, should permeate all studies and lead to the goal of confirmation. Above all, triangulation must be chosen deliberately, for the correct reasons, and an adequate description of the rationale, planning and implementation of procedures should be given in reports, to give credence to this emerging method of research.

Bias↗
PubMed1996

Selecting a database for literature searches in nursing: MEDLINE or CINAHL?

This study compares the usefulness of the MEDLINE and CINAHL databases for students on post-registration nursing courses. We searched for nine topics, using title words only. Identical searches of the two databases retrieved 1162 references, of which 88% were in MEDLINE, 33% in CINAHL and 20% in both sources. The relevance of the references was assessed by student reviewers. The positive predictive value of CINAHL (70%) was higher than that of MEDLINE (54%), but MEDLINE produced more than twice as many relevant references as CINAHL. The sensitivity of MEDLINE was 85% (95% CI 82-88%), and that of CINAHL was 41% (95% CI 37-45%). To assess the ease of obtaining the references, we developed an index of accessibility, based on the holdings of a number of Irish and British libraries. Overall, 47% of relevant references were available in the students' own library, and 64% could be obtained within 48 hours. There was no difference between the two databases overall, but when two topics relating specifically to the organization of nursing were excluded, references found in MEDLINE were significantly more accessible. We recommend that MEDLINE should be regarded as the first choice of bibliographic database for any subject other than one related strictly to the organization of nursing.

Choice Behavior↗
PubMed1990

A comparison of 'active' and 'physiological' management of the third stage of labour.

A randomised, controlled trial of 1429 women was carried out to compare 'active' management of the third stage of labour, using i.v. Ergometrine 0.5 mg, with a method of 'physiological' management, in women at 'low risk' to haemorrhage. In the "active" management group a higher incidence of the following complications was found:- manual removal of placenta (p less than 0.0005), problems such as nausea (p less than 0.0005), vomiting (p less than 0.0005), and severe after-birth pains (p less than 0.02), hypertension (p less than 0.0001) and secondary postpartum haemorrhage (p less than 0.02). The incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (blood loss greater than 500 ml) and postnatal haemoglobins less than 10 gm/100 were higher in the 'physiological' group (p less than 0.0005, p less than 0.002). No difference was found in the need for blood transfusion in either group. The routine use of i.v. Ergometrine 0.5 mg during the third stage of labour in women at 'low risk' to haemorrhage does not appear to be necessary and has many adverse effects. Further studies comparing different methods of 'physiological' management are recommended in order to reduce to a minimum the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage and anaemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The effect of ergometrine on breast feeding.

A randomised, controlled trial of 1429 women was carried out to compare 'active' management of the third stage of labour, using i.v. Ergometrine 0.5 mgs, with a method of 'physiological' management, in women at 'low risk' to haemorrhage. A separate sub-study, with 168 women in each of the two groups, examined the possible effects of Ergometrine on serum prolactin levels and the duration of breast feeding. No difference was found in peak (post-suckling) serum prolactin levels taken from 126 women between 48 and 72 hours postnatal. Further studies with larger sample sizes would give a more dependable result. Women who did not receive the drug Ergometrine were more likely to continue breast feeding for longer than four weeks than those who did (p less than 0.05). It is recommended that this drug should not be given routinely to women intending to breast feed.

Breast Feeding↗