Environmental ways forward in a postmodern (nursing) world.

In this paper I am interested in showing how nurses' concerns for environmental issues reflect larger shifts in modern/postmodern thinking. Changes through premodern, modern, and postmodern times are highlighted. Focus is especially upon the natural world and damage to it in the name of human progress--from which humans also ultimately suffer. Nurses seeking to find environmentally sound ways forward in their practice are experiencing and enacting a postmodern 'mood', and by speaking out about the futility of perpetuating modernist environmental concepts, they are engaging in postmodern dialogue. Nurses recognise as well however, that when they challenge entrenched and environmentally damaging practices in their workplaces, they open themselves to disturbing currents of change in which stability and meaning may readily be lost.

Theoretical perspectives on narrative inquiry.

Narrative inquiry is gaining momentum in the field of nursing. As a research approach it does not have any single heritage of methodology and its practitioners draw upon diverse sources of influence. Central to all narrative inquiry however, is attention to the potential of stories to give meaning to people's lives, and the treatment of data as stories. This is the first of two papers on the topic and addresses the theoretical influences upon a particular narrative inquiry into nursing scholars and scholarship. The second paper, Conducting a narrative analysis, describes the actual narrative analysis as it was conducted in this same study. Together, the papers provide sufficient detail for others wishing to pursue a similar approach to do so, or to develop the ideas and procedures according to their own way of thinking. Within this first theoretical paper, perspectives from Jerome Bruner (1987) and Wade Roof (1993) are outlined. These relate especially to the notion of stories as 'imaginative constructions' and as 'cultural narratives' and as such, highlight the profound importance of stories as being individually and culturally meaningful. As well, perspectives on narrative inquiry from nursing literature are highlighted. Narrative inquiry in this instance lies within the broader context of phenomenology.

Conducting a narrative analysis.

This paper describes the process of narrative analysis as undertaken within a nursing study on scholars and scholarship. If follows an earlier paper titled: Theoretical perspectives on narrative inquiry that described the influencing ideas of Bruner (1987) and Roof (1994) upon the same study. Analysis procedures are described here in sufficient detail for other researchers wishing to implement a similar approach to do so. The process as described has two main components: (A) strategies of 'core story creation' and 'employment'; and (B) issues and dilemmas of narrative analysis, especially relating to rigour. The ideas of Polkinghorne (1988), Mishler (1986), and Labov (in Mishler 1986a) are introduced in so far as they impinge upon the analysis process. These relate especially to the development of key terms, and to the analysis strategies of core story creation and employment. Outcomes of the study in question are termed 'Signposting the lived-world of scholarship'.

Manuscript reviewing: what reviewers have to say.

This paper reports a study that examined the experience of manuscript reviewing. Fifteen reviewers participated, responding to questions about their experience of the process, its perceived strengths and weaknesses, and areas considered worthy of further investigation. Qualitative methodology and analysis were employed. Overall, the study showed that manuscript reviewing brings both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards, but that a price must be paid for these in terms of time spent and frustrations associated with the task. There was some skepticism among reviewers about the value of the peer review process, along with a desire for improvement. Recommendations for further research centre largely around the politics of scholarship and creating a more transparent process.

Programmatic research. A desirable (or despotic?) nursing strategy for the future.

Programmatic research is a planned and purposeful strategy in the development of a nursing discipline. We discuss the case made for programmatic research by international scholars as a determinant of scholarship and professional advancement, as well as issues about whether it should be knowledge or methods driven. As an example, the development of a clinical program involving the establishment of 'nursing beds' in the United Kingdom is described, together with a published critique of the program. While the literature portrays an overwhelmingly positive outlook for programmatic research, there are some cautionary tales to be told. We address these by way of the literature and personal experience--especially relating to tensions created by fixed research agendas, inability of researchers to follow their own research interests and funding difficulties. Potential disadvantages of programmatic research are also included. We conclude with suggestions as to how research students, early career researchers, and experienced researchers might become involved with programmatic research in positive ways.

Is a PhD the best career choice? Nursing employers' views.

Recent debate has centred around a perceived discrepancy between employment skills required and skills acquired of doctorally prepared employees. There is a perception there might be a substantial shortfall between both current and future skill requirements. While much research has been undertaken into employer requirements of first degree graduates, there does not appear to have been any systematic survey/s of employer attitudes to research postgraduates (West, 1998). Ascertaining the views of those in the field likely to employ doctoral graduates is essential to ensure that research training is adapted to suit the workplace. This paper reports on a project that sought to elicit the opinions of some nursing employers about the suitability of doctorally prepared nursing employees. Results suggest that there might be some discrepancy between skills acquired at university and skills required in the workplace. While the study was small and generalisability is not claimed, we believe the results point to the need for further investigation.

Manuscript reviewing: too long a concealed form of scholarship?

Reviewing manuscripts prior to publication is an increasingly time consuming activity for many professionals. This paper proposes that reviewing is a significant form of scholarship that deserves more overt attention, and an increased level of sharing among reviewers on their unique approach to the task. A review of relevant literature reveals a range of reviewing procedures and practices among journals, some of which are relatively novel within nursing. Research is reportedly scant on the topic, and the research that has been undertaken shows that the best reviewers are not necessarily the most senior; indeed the more senior and busy the reviewer, the more likely the review shall be superficial and hasty. Within this paper I include a personal approach to reviewing that draws upon the thinking of Richard Bernstein and promotes a "conversational'-as apposed to an "adversarial'-style.

Establishing a 'track record': research productivity and nursing academe.

Many nursing academics in Australia are finding to their dismay that an outstanding teaching career and exemplary professional contribution to their field--and a PhD--are not enough to achieve promotion within their university, or secure a new academic post. One must also possess a proven or established 'track record' in research and publication. The operational funding arrangements for Australian universities rely in part on the research productivity of their academic staff members. This places special expectation upon the way academics conduct their scholarly work. Nursing academics are under particular pressure: as relative newcomers to the university scene, most find themselves considered as early career researchers with weak track records. This paper reviews relevant research and draws upon personal experience in the area of research development, to highlight how nursing academics may most strategically establish a research and publication record with a view to career advancement.

A magnificent chaos: feminist (nursing) comments on Western philosophy.

This paper primarily concerns feminists' problems with Western philosophy and the implications of these for nursing. My interest arises from some reading of philosophy and a profound disenchantment with its male bias. As Susan Moller Okin says, readers should not be misled by the use of supposedly generic terms like 'mankind' and allegedly inclusive pronouns, into thinking philosophers intended to refer to the whole human race. Moira Gatens takes the view that feminists cannot ignore the frameworks and assumptions of traditional philosophy and identifies three major ways in which the relationship between feminist theory and philosophical discourse can be characterized. In contrasting Gatens' thesis with a nursing case in point about ways of viewing disciplines, some ideas emerge for nurses to find positive ways forward in the philosophical enterprise. The topic extends to feminists' reactions to postmodern thinking and subsequent questions raised by these for nurses and nursing.

The good, the bad and the relative, Part one: Conceptions of goodness in qualitative research.

This (part one) paper traces efforts to define 'goodness' in qualitative research within various fields, including nursing. At first closely aligned with the traditional tenets of quantitative research (reliability and validity), over time these are found to be increasingly problematic to uphold within a qualitative context. As alternative criteria more appropriate to qualitative approaches are developed, in many instances these also are wanting in that they continue to reflect a search for order and certainty that permeates the quantitative domain. In reviewing various sets of criteria of goodness, the concepts of reliability and validity in relation to qualitative research are conceived as being championed, translated, exiled, redeemed and surpassed. Part two of the paper addresses the topic of goodness of qualitative research within the philosophical 'problem of the criterion'. Discussion extends to how researchers might usefully juxtapose the rationality of a modern world with a mounting postmodern sensibility.

The good, the bad and the relative, Part Two: Goodness and the criterion problem in qualitative research.

This (part two) paper finds 'the problem of the criterion' at the heart of disputes about what constitutes goodness in qualitative research, an ancient philosophic conundrum as to how best represent reality. Ways around the problem are considered, including conceiving criteria as open-ended 'lists', and 'enabling conditions'. Discussion principally concerns the impact of postmodernist thinking on the topic, and how qualitative researchers might usefully juxtapose the rationality of a modern world (in which notions such as reliability and validity are prized) with a mounting postmodern sensibility that acknowledges irrationality, fragmentation, and uncertainty. Part one of the paper traced efforts to define 'goodness' in qualitative research within various fields, including nursing. Disputes were found to centre on how the traditional concepts of reliability and validity related to qualitative research. In reviewing various sets of criteria of goodness, these concepts were consequently conceived as being championed, translated, exiled, redeemed, and surpassed.

Focus on qualitative methods. Qualitative metasynthesis: issues and techniques.

There has been an accumulation of qualitative studies in recent years, but little cumulation of the understandings gained from them. Qualitative research appears endangered both by efforts to synthesize studies and by the failure to do so. Techniques used have included reciprocal translations of key metaphors and concepts and qualitative and quantitative comparative analyses to produce narrative and theoretical integrations. The major problem yet to be resolved is developing usable and communicable systematic approaches to conducting metasynthesis projects that maintain the integrity of individual studies.

They were different and few: an Australian study of midwives' attitudes to research and computerised research findings.

This study sought to determine factors influencing the utilisation of research findings by Australian midwives before and after exposure to an on-line research database within their practice setting. The setting was a large maternity hospital in South Australia and data were collected via pre and post intervention questionnaires. 14 midwives from the Delivery Suite and Birth Centre of this hospital participated in the study. Midwives showed an increased receptivity to the concept of computerised research findings after exposure to the database. They rated research as highly important to providing quality midwifery care and for the midwifery profession, and saw midwives as the key players in maternity care research. These findings are not in keeping with previous research--largely accounted for, we believe, by the particular, and small number of, midwives who volunteered to participate in the study (24% of those invited).

A web of intrigue: the search for quality in qualitative research.

This paper reports an investigation about 'quality' in qualitative research. For educatorsand students of nursing and midwifery, it serves as an exemplar for tackling vexing research questions, and as a model for creative research reporting. Practising qualitative researchers (post-doctoral nurses and midwives) from different countries were asked to identify the characteristics of what they considered to be a high quality published report of qualitative research. They then commented upon one another's characteristics with a view to comparing and compiling ideas. Four themes were identified from the data, relatingto process, writing, outcome and excellence. The study highlights shifts in thinking about determinants of quality in qualitative research over time, and current challenges for researchers, consumers and others in the face of declining interest in quality criteria.A spider's web is used as a met aphor for the study to illustrate the enmeshment and intrigue that the research and its findings generated for the researchers, participantsand onlookers.