Practical issues in multi-lingual research

BackgroundWith an increasing number of ethnic minority populations, the use of multiple languages in one research study has increased in recent years. The use of multiple languages helps increase comprehensiveness of educational materials and/or survey questionnaires, and promote ethnic minorities’ participation in research. However, little has been clearly known about practical issues in using multiple languages in one research study.ObjectivesThe purpose of this paper is to explore practical issues in using multiple languages in a study among diverse sub-ethnic groups of Asian American breast cancer survivors in order to propose future directions for the use of multiple languages in research projects.MethodsThroughout the research process, research team made written records of practical issues and possible reasons for the issues as they arose. Weekly group discussions among research team members were administered, and the written records of these discussions were reviewed and analyzed using the content analysis. The unit of analysis was individual words. The words in the data (memos and written records) were classified into idea categories that emerged from the coding process.ResultsThe idea categories included issues in: (a) collaborators from various sub-ethnic groups; (b) IRB protocol submissions; (c) consistencies in translation process, (d) conceptual equivalence; (e) cultural differences; (f) existing translated versions; and (g) authorship issues. Based on the issues, we made the following suggestions for multi-lingual research: (a) networking and setting multiple communication channels with potential collaborators; (b) checking the institution's IRB policies related to the use of multiple languages; (c) setting the rules and procedures for translation process; (d) checking existing different language versions of instruments; and (e) setting the rules for authorship in advance.ConclusionsThe suggestions made in this study would help the researchers be prepared in advance to deal with the challenges.     

Methodological issues in child sexual abuse research

Research has only recently documented the negative effects of child sexual abuse. Investigators attempting to validate empirically the stress responses of children to sexual abuse are confronted with many methodological issues, including those related to measurement, sample selection, use of comparison subjects, and legal and ethical considerations. This article discusses methodological issues that need to be considered when designing and implementing studies on the impact of child sexual abuse. Suggestions are made for strengthening research designs, and several studies that have incorporated some of these suggestions are reviewed. Recommendations are made for areas that nurse researchers may want to explore in the future, such as parental and sibling response to sexual victimization, characteristics of children that may ameliorate the effects of sexual abuse, and children's responses to examination of the genitalia.     

Consent and assent to participate in research from people with dementia

Conducting research with vulnerable populations involves careful attention to the interests of individuals. Although it is generally understood that informed consent is a necessary prerequisite to research participation, it is less clear how to proceed when potential research participants lack the capacity to provide this informed consent. The rationale for assessing the assent or dissent of vulnerable individuals and obtaining informed consent by authorized representatives is discussed. Practical guidelines for recruitment of and data collection from people in the middle or late stage of dementia are proposed. These guidelines were used by research assistants in a minimal risk study.     

Ethical perspectives of children's assent for research participation: deontology and on utilitarianism

Is a child's assent to participate in research that does not have the potential to directly benefit the child ethically mandated? Analysis of this particular dilemma of health care research in children using two competing theories results in different answers. Deontology (principle-based ethics) will be contrasted with utilitarianism (consequentialism). Historical cases of research with children will be used as exemplars of these two theoretical positions.     

Practical issues in therapeutic apheresis.

Although therapeutic plasma exchange is known to be the most effective and efficient therapeutic modality for some disorders such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hyperviscosity syndrome, no standard protocol of plasma exchange has been developed. A protocol based on evidence needs to be established for standard of care. It should include exchange volume, replacement fluid, frequency, and end point. Indication of plasma exchange is not always clear because prospective randomized clinical trials, especially blinded trials, are difficult to perform. The standard guideline is now available from Category 1 to Category 4 and is published by the American Association of Blood Banks and the American Society for Apheresis. Each institution should establish its own pheresis guideline and protocol for each disorder.     

Ethical issues in adolescent consent for research

Different opinions are expressed in the literature regarding when children and adolescents can start to make decisions to participate in research and give informed consent. Nurses are frequently involved in research, either as investigators or caregivers, and must therefore have a thorough understanding of consent and related issues. In this article the issues are explored from a Canadian perspective. The argument is put forward that adolescents may be capable of a greater involvement in the research consent process than is the norm. Increasing adolescents' involvement in research has the potential to enhance their growing autonomy and capabilities. Adolescents appreciate being treated with respect and dignity by adults. This can be achieved in an environment in which protection from harm does not also mean prevention from decision making. The use of empowering processes by nurses to enhance adolescent involvement will provide benefit to adolescents in their transition to adult levels of responsibility.     

Practical issues of student assessment

Student nurses are required to undergo assessment in their practice placements as part of their pre-registration programme. This process is ongoing throughout the programme and will require students to be flexible in their many interactions with these areas. This involves the need to provide evidence of their learning, together with an ability to apply this in practice. This article identifies the need for all those involved in this process to take account of the human variables that inevitably arise and incorporate strategies to ensure that the outcome is rigorous, while remaining a positive experience.     

Methodological issues for adolescent pregnancy research

Nurses have long been in the forefront of health care delivery for adolescents and are becoming more involved in adolescent pregnancy research. This article focuses on six methodological issues for adolescent pregnancy research: formulating the research question, selecting appropriate measures, recruiting subjects, obtaining informed consent, categorizing socioeconomic status, and balancing the clinician-researcher relationship. As we prepare for the 21st Century, we must develop new and creative approaches to adolescent pregnancy research, and we must bridge the gap between research and practice. Ultimately, knowledge derived from research and clinical practice should generate comprehensive health care and social policies for dealing with adolescent pregnancy.     

Practical issues of physiologic measurement for clinical research with children. Part I: measurement accuracy and precision

Column Editor: Lauren Clark Scientific Inquiry provides a forum to facilitate the ongoing process of questioning and evaluating practice, presents informed practice based on available data, and innovates new practices through research and experimental learning.     

Sampling issues in qualitative research

While qualitative methodologies have increased in popularity over the past few decades, they have been criticised because of a lack of transparency in procedures and processes. While much of this criticism has been levied at analytical steps, many published qualitative studies give little information about the characteristics of the study sample or the type of sample employed or techniques used. In this paper, Gina Higginbottom aims to provide an overview of the complexity of sampling in qualitative research, and to provoke reflection and consideration of qualitative methodologies. It is hoped that this will encourage nurse researchers to seek out the primary texts and gain greater insight into the various philosophical underpinnings and sampling techniques in qualitative research.