The incorporation of visual forms of expression has become common in qualitative research over the past two decades, with participant-employed photography being most prevalent. Visual methods such as photovoice have been used in community-based studies and with individuals to explore their lived experiences, particularly because of their participatory nature. Despite widespread support for visual approaches in existing research, there has been insufficient attention paid to how photography can enhance understanding of the phenomenon under study. Additionally, the existing literature is somewhat bereft of discussion of what individuals think about their participation in studies that incorporate participant-employed photography, or researchers' perspectives of carrying out this type of research. In this article, we describe a photovoice study carried out with young adult women affected by serious illness and provide examples of participants' photographs to illustrate how participant-employed photography can enhance the depth of research data. Specifically, the examples highlight how the photographs enriched participants' verbal descriptions of their lived experiences, which generated a better understanding of their personal embodied realities. We also discuss the young adult women's inclusion of previously taken photographs and reflections on their participation in the study. Finally, we examine the need to consider the intended audience of photographs, and specific ethical and methodological considerations for researchers contemplating the incorporation of participant-employed photography. In doing so, we provide insight into the advantages and challenges of photo-
As Internet research grows in popularity, attention to the ethics of studying online content is crucial to ensuring ethical diligence and appropriateness. Over recent years, ethical guidelines and recommendations have emerged to advise researchers and institutional review boards on best practices. However, these guidelines are sometimes irrelevant, overly rigid, or lack recognition of the contingent nature of ethical decision-making in qualitative research. Furthermore, varied ethical stances and practices are evident in existing literature. This article explores key ethical issues for qualitative research involving online content, with a focus on the unobtrusive study of personal narratives shared via the Internet. Principles of informed consent and confidentiality are examined in depth alongside practical and methodological considerations for unobtrusive qualitative research. This critical exploration contributes to ongoing discussion of ethical conduct of Internet research and promotes ethically aware yet flexible approaches to online qualitative research and creative methodological efforts to overcoming ethical challenges.
Purpose The number of prisoners over 55 years is increasing and many are at risk of developing dementia. This has generated new responsibilities for prisons to provide health and social care for older persons. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the existing research literature regarding the phenomenon of the health and social care needs of older persons living with dementia in correctional settings. Design/methodology/approach Using an integrative review method based on Whittemore and Knafl, the inclusion criteria for the review are: articles written in English; a focus on some form of dementia and/or older persons with discussion of dementia; to be set in a correctional context (correctional facility, prison and jail); be derived from a published peer-reviewed journal or unpublished dissertation/thesis; and be a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods study. Based on those criteria, a search strategy was developed and executed by a health sciences librarian in the following databases: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, Proquest Nursing and Allied Health and Web of Science; searches were completed up to April 2019. After data were extracted from included studies, synthesis of findings involved an iterative process where thematic analysis was facilitated by Braun and Clarke’s approach. Findings Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Key findings of the eight studies include recognition of dementia as a concern for correctional populations, dementia-related screening and programming for older persons and recommendations for improved screening and care practices. Most significant is the paucity of research available on this topic. Implications for research are discussed. Originality/value This paper identified and synthesizes the limited existing international research on the health and social care needs of older persons with dementia living in correctional settings. Although existing research is scant, this review highlights the need for increased awareness of dementia as a concern among older persons living in correctional settings. As well, the review findings emphasize that enhanced screening and interventions, particularly tailored approaches, are imperative to support those living with dementia in correctional settings.
Although serious illness is often associated with aging, many young adults are affected by various life-threatening and chronic illnesses, and thus have experiences that do not correspond to socio-cultural expectations for young adulthood. In this article, we describe a qualitative study exploring young adult women's experiences of serious illness. Ten participants diagnosed with a life-threatening or chronic illness in the previous three years participated in phenomenological interviews and photovoice project that focused on what it is like to be seriously ill during young adulthood. Our analysis reveals that participants experienced serious illness with respect to their position in the life course; specifically, participants perceived ill health as being inconsistent with young adulthood. This finding is illustrated by three inter-related themes: feeling abnormal and 'off time,' realizing vulnerabilities, and renegotiating expectations for young adulthood and the future. We propose that these themes offer evidence of how illness is experienced within the broader socio-cultural context of individuals' lives. We conclude that social workers involved in supporting this population are well positioned to address life course disruptions brought about by illness and aid in negotiating ill health with respect to expectations for young adulthood.
Despite the turmoil of a worldwide economic crisis, the health sector remains largely understaffed, and the nursing shortage represents a major issue that jeopardizes graduate nursing education. Access to education remains a challenge, particularly in rural and remote areas. This article reports the process of developing an asynchronous online qualitative research course. This online course was piloted among 16 interdisciplinary students. Participants agreed that experiential learning was useful to understand the intricacies of qualitative research. Within this constructivist approach, students were immersed in real-life experiences, which focused on the development of skills applicable to qualitative research. Based on the findings, we suggest that constructivism and the Four-Component Instructional Design (4C/ID) model (a four-part approach for fostering the development of complex skills) represent valuable ontological and pedagogical approaches that can be used in online courses. Triangulating these two approaches is also congruent with the student-centered philosophy that underpins nursing graduate programs.
Life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses in children have profound implications for all family members, many of whom experience unmet health and support needs. Guided by literature on family-centered care and an Interpretive Description methodology, qualitative focus group interviews were conducted with 18 parental caregivers and health care and support providers to explore family experiences and identify care and support needs across the illness trajectory. Data analysis resulted in three themes related to parental participation in children’s medical care, parental and familial psychological well-being, and social support needs. These inter-related themes reflect the complex nature of family life with childhood illness, highlighting families’ holistic needs and how children’s physical and psychological care is intertwined with the psychological and social well-being of the family system. Additionally, the findings revealed the significance of communication to parental caregivers’ hope, coping, and well-being. The findings add depth to existing literature, and identify opportunities for addressing families’ unmet needs, with specific attention to the role that social workers can play in facilitating family-centred care to promote effective support of parental caregivers. As such, the findings emphasize the important contributions that social workers can make within health care teams and in educational settings to optimize parents’ ability to care for ill children while maintaining family functioning and well-being, and as advocates for social and policy change.
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