Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C A Mottola.
Measuring psychosocial responses to health problems poses a unique challenge for the clinician searching for empirical indicators of these abstract constructs. Subjective phenomena such as pain, craving, or well-being vary in levels of intensity and are often difficult for the individual to describe in concrete terms. Visual analogue scales provide a valid and reliable solution to this challenging measurement problem.
The validity of an instrument is another important issue for the clinician to consider when selecting a tool for use in data collection. Broadly defined, validity refers to the extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to be measuring. Although validity is a unitary concept, this article explores three common categories of validity: content, criterion-related, and construct validity.
Meta-analysis is an alternative, quantitative approach to the analysis and synthesis of multiple investigations of the same clinical question. The statistical approaches that have been developed since Glass coined the term meta-analysis in 1976 are discussed. Clinicians will find meta-analysis helpful when there are conflicting research findings about perplexing clinical problems.
When choosing a tool or instrument to gather data, the clinician must consider many factors including the validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of the measuring device. While all of these factors are important measurement issues, this article focuses on assessment and enhancement of reliability.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Current health care imperatives and the continuous explosion of information and technology present new challenges for continuing/staff development educators as the nursing profession reinvents itself during the current crisis in health care. This turbulent health care environment necessitates utilization of current research findings to maintain the continued efficient and effective functioning of nursing staff. Familiarity with recent research utilization projects and models and barriers perceived to impede research utilization can assist the continuing/staff development educator to bridge the gap between knowledge generation and knowledge utilization.