Health Issues with Learning to Use Smart Devices in the Digital Age: Using a Grounded Theory Approach.

The Korean government has announced a plan for a national policy to deliver smart education among all students. As a result, many people are worried about the possible health-related adverse effects. This qualitative study aimed at analyzing health issues related to middle school students who learn by using smart devices using the grounded theory approach. We conducted in-depth interviews with 30 students at four middle schools who used smart devices for more than a year. The analysis of this research data was based on the constant comparative method, using grounded theory as a theoretical framework. The data analysis revealed many concepts in 28 subcategories and 13 categories related to smart learning health issues, with the central phenomenon being experience with health problems. Students' health-related experiences were classified as physical or psychosocial symptoms. Adverse health effects related to smart learning were related to unsafe smart learning behavior and an inefficient smart learning environment. The consequences appeared to be the formation of diverse digital habits through the ambivalent use of smart devices and differences in ability to control health problems. Our findings suggest that students can form ideal habits for using smart devices if their health issues are well monitored and managed.

[Accuracy of references in eight nursing journals in Korea].

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the reference accuracy in major nursing journals in Korea. METHODS: The references in articles from eight nursing journals from 2006 were compared with PubMed for authors, year, title, journal, volume, and page accuracy. Four hundred sixty-six references were reviewed. Errors were classified as major or minor and categorized by bibliographic headings (author, title, journal, year, volume and page). RESULTS: Of the 466 references, 223(47.9%) had citation errors. The reference error rates ranged from 28.6% to 58.7%. Most errors occurred in the author element (37.9%), followed by title (20.9%), journal (19.0%), page (13.9%), volume (5.9%), and year (2.4%). CONCLUSION: This study identified a considerable error rate in the references of nursing journals. Inaccuracy of references is a reflection on scholarly work of authors and journals. Authors and Editorial committees are responsible for the accuracy of references.

[Analysis of research papers published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing].

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the current trend of nursing research as exploring both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and to provide the explicit direction to improve the quality of published papers. METHODS: Total of 366 articles published between 2004 and 2006 was reviewed using the criteria of analysis. RESULTS: There was more number of quantitative studies than qualitative studies. More studies were conducted with subjects who had health problems, and studies that targeted women and elderly population have been significantly increased. In quantitative methodology, utilization of experimental and quasi-experimental designs has been increased, however descriptive study was dominant as yet. In qualitative methodology, studies using grounded theory and phenomenology were frequently published. It was noted that theoretical framework and rational for sample size were rarely presented in quantitative study. Philosophical position and the process of preparation for study, which guided the research, were not clearly described in qualitative study. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review suggest that published studies have been improved and diversified, however, detailed and clear evaluation tool that assesses study process and method should be developed as a way to further improve the quality of published papers.