Roberta Heale

Bio: Roberta Heale is an academic researcher from Laurentian University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Health care & Advance care planning. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 46 publications receiving 1312 citations. Previous affiliations of Roberta Heale include Health Sciences North.

Validity and reliability in quantitative studies

Abstract: Evidence-based practice includes, in part, implementation of the findings of well-conducted quality research studies. So being able to critique quantitative research is an important skill for nurses. Consideration must be given not only to the results of the study but also the rigour of the research. Rigour refers to the extent to which the researchers worked to enhance the quality of the studies. In quantitative research, this is achieved through measurement of the validity and reliability.1 Validity is defined as the extent to which a concept is accurately measured in a quantitative study. For example, a survey designed to explore depression but which actually measures anxiety would not be considered valid. The second measure of quality in a quantitative study is reliability , or the accuracy of an instrument. In other words, the extent to which a research instrument consistently has the same results if it is used in the same situation on repeated occasions. A simple example of validity and reliability is an alarm clock that rings at 7:00 each morning, but is set for 6:30. It is very reliable (it consistently rings the same time each day), but is not valid (it is not ringing at the desired time). It's important to consider validity and reliability of the data collection tools (instruments) when either conducting or critiquing research. There are three major types of validity. These are described in table 1. View this table: Table 1 Types of validity The first category is content validity . This category looks at whether the instrument adequately covers …

Understanding triangulation in research

Abstract: The term ‘triangulation’ originates in the field of navigation where a location is determined by using the angles from two known points.1 Triangulation in research is the use of more than one approach to researching a question. The objective is to increase confidence in the findings through the confirmation of a proposition using two or more independent measures.2 The combination of findings from two or more rigorous approaches provides a more comprehensive picture of the results than either approach could do alone.3 Triangulation is typically associated with research methods and designs. However, there are several other variations on the term. Triangulation may be the use of multiple theories, data sources, methods …

Triangulation in research, with examples

Abstract: Triangulation is a method used to increase the credibility and validity of research findings.1 Credibility refers to trustworthiness and how believable a study is; validity is concerned with the extent to which a study accurately reflects or evaluates the concept or ideas being investigated.2 Triangulation, by combining theories, methods or observers in a research study, can help ensure that fundamental biases arising from the use of a single method or a single observer are overcome. Triangulation is also an effort to help explore and explain complex human behaviour using a variety of methods to offer a more balanced explanation to readers.2 It is a procedure that enables validation of data and can be used in both quantitative and qualitative studies. Triangulation can enrich research as it offers a variety of datasets to explain differing aspects of a phenomenon of interest. It also helps refute where one dataset invalidates a supposition generated by another. It can assist the confirming of a hypothesis where one set of findings confirms another set. Finally, triangulation can help explain the results of a study.3 Central to triangulation is the notion that methods leading to the same results give more confidence in the research findings.4 Four types of triangulation are proposed by Denzin (p.301):5 (1) data triangulation, which includes matters …

An international perspective of advanced practice nursing regulation.

Abstract: Background There is no common understanding about the role of the advanced practice nurse across the globe and there is wide variation in the regulation of advanced practice nursing roles as well as their educational, licensing and credentialing requirements. Aim The goal of this research was to examine the status of advanced practice nursing regulation globally. Methods An online survey link was emailed to National Nursing Associations and nursing health policy makers worldwide from June to December 2011. Questions focused on regulation, education, scope of practice, and barriers and opposition. Analysis included frequency statistics and descriptive data for survey questions and content analysis for two open-ended questions. Limitations The survey was offered online and only in English. Therefore, technology and language barriers may have influenced the results. Results There is wide variation in educational requirements, regulation and scope of practice of advanced practice nurses. The barriers to advanced practice nursing are often linked to the status of legislation and credentialing in specific jurisdictions. Conclusion A database of advanced practice nursing regulation and issues related to practice has the potential to become a valuable resource for individual countries. Implications for nursing and health policy Each country has unique challenges related to health policy for advanced practice nursing roles. International nursing organizations have established programmes for regulation development; however, a stronger focus on monitoring regulation and more effective dissemination of information about available supports may have a bigger impact on the development and revision of health policy related to advanced practice nursing.

What is a case study

Abstract: Case study is a research methodology, typically seen in social and life sciences. There is no one definition of case study research. However, very simply… ‘a case study can be defined as an intensive study about a person, a group of people or a unit, which is aimed to generalize over several units’. A case study has also been described as an intensive, systematic investigation of a single individual, group, community or some other unit in which the researcher examines in-depth data relating to several variables.

School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6-18.

Abstract: Background The World Health Organization estimates that 19 million deaths worldwide are attributable to physical inactivity Chronic diseases associated with physical inactivity include cancer, diabetes and coronary heart disease Objectives The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the evidence of the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents Search strategy The search strategy included searching several databases In addition, reference lists of included articles and background papers were reviewed for potentially relevant studies, as well as references from relevant Cochrane reviews Primary authors of included studies were contacted as needed for additional information Selection criteria To be included, the intervention had to be relevant to public health practice, implemented, facilitated, or promoted by staff in local public health units, implemented in a school setting and aimed at increasing physical activity, report on outcomes for children and adolescents (aged 6 to 18 years), and use a prospective design with a control group Data collection and analysis Standardized tools were used by two independent reviewers to rate each studyﾒs methodological quality and for data extraction Where discrepancies existed discussion occurred until consensus was reached The results were summarized narratively due to wide variations in the populations, interventions evaluated and outcomes measured Main results 13,841 titles were identified and screened and 482 articles were retrieved Multiple publications on the same project were combined and counted as one project, resulting in 395 distinct project accounts (studies) Of the 395 studies 104 were deemed relevant and of those, four were assessed as having strong methodological quality, 22 were of moderate quality and 78 were considered weak In total 26 studies were included in the review There is good evidence that school-based physical activity interventions have a positive impact on four of the nine outcome measures Specifically positive effects were observed for duration of physical activity, television viewing, VO2 max, and blood cholesterol Generally school-based interventions had no effect on leisure time physical activity rates, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, and pulse rate At a minimum, a combination of printed educational materials and changes to the school curriculum that promote physical activity result in positive effects Authors' conclusions Given that there are no harmful effects and that there is some evidence of positive effects on lifestyle behaviours and physical health status measures, ongoing physical activity promotion in schools is recommended at this time

Teaching in Nursing: A guide for faculty

Abstract: (1998). Teaching in Nursing: A guide for faculty. Contemporary Nurse: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 197-197.

Psychometric properties in instruments evaluation of reliability and validity.

Abstract: Resumo Instrumentos de medida desempenham um importante papel na pesquisa, na pratica clinica e na avaliacao de saude. Estudos sobre a qualidade desses instrumentos fornecem evidencias de como as propriedades de medida foram avaliadas, auxiliando o pesquisador na escolha da melhor ferramenta para utilizacao. A confiabilidade e a validade sao consideradas as principais propriedades de medida de tais instrumentos. Confiabilidade e a capacidade em reproduzir um resultado de forma consistente, no tempo e no espaco. Validade refere-se a propriedade de um instrumento medir exatamente o que se propoe. Neste artigo sao apresentados, discutidos e exemplificados os principais criterios e testes estatisticos empregados na avaliacao da confiabilidade (estabilidade, consistencia interna e equivalencia) e validade (conteudo, criterio e construto) de instrumentos. A avaliacao das propriedades de medida de instrumentos e util para subsidiar a selecao de instrumentos validos e confiaveis, de modo a assegurar a qualidade dos resultados dos estudos.