Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Research Paper Example The results obtained though the articles further revealed that nurses’ attitudes are among the most vital aspects which tend to influence the practice of physical restraint to elderly patients. Research Question or Hypothesis Although the research hypotheses were not mentioned within specific quotations, the research questions considered in the study were observed in a precise form as mentioned below. a. â€Å"Are nursing staff members' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived moral obligation related to their intentions to use physical restraints with older people?† b. â€Å"How are nursing staff members' attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, perceived moral obligation, and intentions to use physical restraints related to selected demographic and professional variables?† Research Variables To be noted, in Werner & Mendelsson (2000), the research variables were selected on the basis of the theory of reasoned actions which can be divided as independent variables, dependent variables and extraneous variables as illustrated in the diagram illustrated below. Source: Werner & Mendelsson (2000) Independent Variable The independent variables that were considered in this research included attitudes deciphered by the nurses when practicing physical restraint on elder patients, the various subjective norms that were followed along with the perceived moral obligations which tend to have a direct impact on such practices influencing the intention of the professionals. Dependent Variables There was only one dependent variable identified in the study which included the intention of the nurses to practice physical restraint on elderly patients. Extraneous (Confounding) Variable(s) In this article, the extraneous variables consisted of various attributes such as socio-demographic factors that included age, education, sex, place of birth and marital status which are given at a fixed unit and thus, is impossible to be changed. Werner & Mendelsson (2000) also considered the number of years spent in a particular profession along with the position of the nursing professionals as significant extraneous variables in the study to impose a considerable effect on dependent variables, besides the identified independent variables. Research Design The research design of the study conducted by Werner & Mendelsson (2000) was based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Accordingly, a correlational design was applied in the process. It can be mentioned in this regard that as the intention of the study was to identify the factors influencing the nurses’ intention to practice physical restraint on old patients, this research design was appropriate to conclude if a correlation existed amid the identified variables. Population and Sample Setting The data collection was performed in alliance with the natural setting in an Israeli elder care hospital with a capacity of 800 beds. Target and Accessible Population The populatio n considered in this study comprised nursing staff members from the hospital. The target population was thus quite realistically accessible within a given enclosed setting. Sample and Sampling Plan A sample of 303 nursing staff members was taken into concern to suffice the data requirements of the research. As can be observed from the research technique, a random sampling technique was used in the

Professional development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Professional development - Essay Example Unfortunately, there are some factors that disturb necessary reflective practice. At first, time restrictions do not give much air to reflective practice, as I have to solve numerous technical problems that should be settled immediately. Generally, my activity is not supposed to include much time for reflections, and custom practice also demands settling down definite concrete problems, rather than reflection in order to find alternative approaches or theoretical basis for professional strategies. Professional attitudes also comprise various kinds of activity, including technical support and resolving technical questions. Unfortunately, there are very few possibilities to implement mental activity for special theoretical reflections. But I need the time for mental activity, because it pushes me to self-development and this could help me in my professional sphere. In my experience over and over again I face the situations when technology outdoes the practice of tutor. These situations should be regarded from the point of view of the theory that comprises the notions of single-loop learning and double-loop learning. These schemes may be illustrated by examples from my professional experience. An example of single-loop may be a case when I have to print out a poster for a customer. At first, I need to choose a computer which is attached to the device. Then the poster is printed, I roll it up. The next step is to inform the user that the poster is ready and then I bring it to the reception and the customer collection for the user. As for double-loop learning, it is implemented in the case when after a virus that could damage the University system is reported; a team meeting is held out to find the most effective strategy to stop the virus. In this case the decision will depend upon the situation and possible effects. Often I implement reflection-in-action that is often described as thinking and making decisions while the situation unfolds. It involves changing the plans according to the circumstances of the situation. "The practitioner allows himself to experience surprise, puzzlement, or confusion in a situation, which he finds uncertain or unique. He reflects on the phenomenon before him, and on the prior understandings, which have been implicit in his behavior. He carries out an experiment which serves to generate both a new understanding of the phenomenon and a change in the situation." (Schn 1983: 68) Reflection-in-action may be characterized with the help of examples of single and double-loop learning. The former is implemented in the situation when I make copies of Microsoft CDs in QUB without changing the motives and governing variables. Double-loop learning is implemented in situation, when, for instance. A customer requires to provide him with a special equipment to be moved off, because it is old. In such cases I need to use a special program that is called autoclave to format a hard disk to delete the information. After that I contact Belfast City Council to learn about the costs, set a collection time and organize a session, where I will help a customer to get the equipment off. The practice described led me to use and explore the theories of Kolb. In order to make learning more helpful, Kolb (1976) came over with the idea that learners should go through four different stages. These stages are the following: the stage of experience, reflection, the development of new ideas and testing of the new ideas in practice (active