Showing papers in "Western Journal of Nursing Research in 1990"

Diagnosing and dealing with multicollinearity.

Abstract: The purpose of this article was to increase nurse researchers' awareness of the effects of collinear data in developing theoretical models for nursing practice. Collinear data distort the true value of the estimates generated from ordinary least-squares analysis. Theoretical models developed to provide the underpinnings of nursing practice need not be abandoned, however, because they fail to produce consistent estimates over repeated applications. It is also important to realize that multicollinearity is a data problem, not a problem associated with misspecification of a theorectical model. An investigator must first be aware of the problem, and then it is possible to develop an educated solution based on the degree of multicollinearity, theoretical considerations, and sources of error associated with alternative, biased, least-square regression techniques. Decisions based on theoretical and statistical considerations will further the development of theory-based nursing practice.

Importance of Expert Judgment in Content-Related Validity Evidence:

Abstract: The unified conceptualization of validity with regard to content-related evidence has been expressed succinctly by the authors of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA et al., 1985): Content-related evidence of validity is a central concern during [instrument] development, whether such development occurs in a research setting, in a publishing house, or in the context of professional practice. Expert professional judgment should play an integral part in developing the definition of what is to be measured, such as describing the universe of content, generating or selecting the content sample, and specifying the item format and scoring system. Thus, inferences about content are linked to [instrument] construction as well as to establishing evidence of validity after [an instrument] has been developed and chosen for use. (p. 11) This article has demonstrated the process of collecting content-related validity evidence in terms of the specific requirements of the Standards. Five standards were identified and interpreted according to the initial stages of instrument construction: domain specification, item development, and item, subscale, and scale content validation. The role of expert judgment during these stages and the variety of evidence that can be gathered were described. For most instruments, the review process would necessitate two meetings of 1 to 2 hours each to review the domain specifications and another two meetings to determine the match between the items and the specifications. The importance of these 8 hours or whatever additional time is needed to obtain the validity evidence was emphasized. Finally, an application of the Standards was provided to illustrate step-by-step how the judgmental review process can be planned and executed.

Time-series analysis--cosinor analysis: a special case.

Abstract: Cosinor analysis provides an accessible means of evaluating and estimating the parameter of a cyclic phenomenon. Cosinor analysis does not require that the data be equal intervals without missing data. Cosinor analysis does require that the data can reasonably be considered to take the form of a deterministic cycle with a known period.

Measurement of hope in a community-based older population.

Abstract: This study conceptually and empirically examined two hope scales with a community-based sample of older adults. These findings suggest that the two hope scales used in this study measure Global Hope and Interactive Hope. However, these results also suggest unique characteristics of hope that should be incorporated into future studies of hope with older adults.

Childbearing beliefs among Cambodian refugee women.

Abstract: The reproductive beliefs and practices of 12 Cambodian women who had begun childbearing in Southeast Asia and were currently residents of Canadas Cambodian community of refugees were assessed through in-depth ethnographic interviews. The researcher a public health nurse in a clinic that served a predominantly refugee population conducted the interviews through female bilingual translators and obtained endorsement from the Cambodian Association. Respondents averaged 35 years of age were married and had been in Canada for 8 months-4 years following an average stay in a refugee camp of 6 years. They had experienced an average of 4 pregnancies. None of the women were knowledgeable about the timing of ovulation and only 1 was aware of the conception process. Predominant was a belief that women needed to be "cool" to become pregnant and that this state could be achieved through herbal medicines. Herbal remedies were also used to induce the menstrual period. Informants could not describe the process of fetal development but recognized the importance of the maternal diet. "Cold" foods such as coconut were believed to enhance the chance of a health infant while "hot" foods such as red peppers were avoided. A short easy labor was sought through coconut milk and flower-based medicines as well as practices such as working hard and fast not walking on tiptoe and finishing eating before others. The women attended prenatal care appointments in Canada to please authorities but showed little understanding of their purpose. 8 women had received a tubal ligation after their arrival in Canada and appeared to have been given little information about this procedure and alternatives to it. Overall these findings indicate that Cambodian refugees in Canada maintain their cultural beliefs about childbearing yet the Western system of medicine is failing to address these attitudes.