Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 11th of February 2008 at 10:00am in Paul Kingston’s Office.
Present: PK, NN, SM
1) We had a discussion on the work experience placement. ... hospice in Stoke have a placement programme but are not willing to let me do it as they have a policy against allowing research work / or researchers from having access to their patients. ……..hospice was happy for me to complete a placement in the form of 10days voluntary work. This might be a problem with the ethics committee as they were initially not happy with me doing voluntary work in the hospices.
2) Paul suggested I look into the hospice in Wolverhampton and any other within the geographical boundaries.
3) The LREC committee have so far received 1 letter from the hospice (……………………). I spoke to …..from ….. hospice last week Thursday and she said she would write and post the letter and send us a copy.
4) I have to chase up the other 2 hospices. Paul will call ….. from ……. Hospice and ask for a copy of the letter he sent.
5) I then gave feedback on the Chapter that I am currently working on- (Chapter 3, Web- User interface design).
6) We setup deadlines for the thesis chapters. Chapter 3 that I am currently working on should be submitted to Stella by the end of the week (15/02/08). The second chapter deadline was set for 17th of March 2008.
7) Next meeting will be on Monday 25th of February at 10:30am
Things to do by next meeting
1) Complete the User interface chapter. To be completed by the end of the week (15/02/08).
2) Find another hospice to do the work experience placement.
3) Start working on the second chapter of the Thesis. Deadline is 17th of March 2008.
Monday, 11 February 2008
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Supervision meeting
After my last supervision meeing with Stella we discussed the importance of the notes from the meetings. I will start posting the meeting notes so that my supervisors can read if they want to and make amendments. I also know what was decided at the meetings and have a trail of both the meetings and my work
I will have to see how or where I can post them without having too much information or long pages
I will have to see how or where I can post them without having too much information or long pages
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Update
I know, this whole month I have been working on the document I just posted on teaching the users how to create a blog. I know it has taken a long time even though I merely almost copied and posted Rob's blogging handbook for his MSc students.(JOKES). Well almost but I have managed to cut it down and its ready for use. I am hopeng to get the website prototype done for next week and get on with the testing
Only problem I am having is with the LREC, which is really becoming a bore now and I have no idea what purpose the NHS ethics committe serve.
Anyway back to work. You can view the how to guide and let me know what you think of it
Only problem I am having is with the LREC, which is really becoming a bore now and I have no idea what purpose the NHS ethics committe serve.
Anyway back to work. You can view the how to guide and let me know what you think of it
"How to" Guide to creating your blog.
A ‘how to’ Guide to blogging and using Blogger.com
Blogs provide a means of journaling, exploration, story telling, information sharing, and anything you can think of involving text and pictures which can be made accessible to as many people as you want
Blogs can be:
Journals
News
Fiction
Web links
Communities
Work based forums
Personal web space
An online photo gallery
Blogger can be found at www.blogger.com and blogs created using Blogger have the following form of web address www.myblog.blogspot.com.
Let’s start blogging
Open Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape or which ever web software you are using and go to www.blogger.com.
Take a moment to look around the front-page of Blogger. Blogger.com is fairly easy to use and has useful explanations and descriptions. There is an opportunity to get more information on what a blog is. You can also take a quick tour around the website.
Follow the “Create a blog in 3 easy steps” links on the front-page by placing the mouse pointer over the link marked “Create Your Blog Now” and click.
Create an Account
The next page will request you to create an account. You must have an existing e-mail address in order to do this. This account will then enable you to establish as many different blogs as you would like. You can then return to the account to delete blogs, update blogs, or create new blogs.
To create your blogger account, you will have to input your e-mail address, and a password for your account. Just follow the instructions and directions given on the website as they provide precise guidance on creating a blog.
Finally don’t forget to tick any “terms and conditions” box, if you want to read the terms and conditions following the web link.
And click the “Continue” arrow
Note: With the growth in Blog popularity your first choice of username might not be available – do be patient and try variations until you find one that is accepted.
Name your Blog
This where you can think of what you want to call your blog. This can be related to what you will write about, or named after a favourite pet, friend. The name can either be a phrase or one word.
You will then have the opportunity to choose your blog address .This does not have to match the name/ title of your blog although it may make it easier for you and for others to remember the name.
Blogger uses a word verification box to help with security and data entry. The text for the word verification will appear slightly distorted; simply type the letters you see into the word verification box.
Click the “continue” arrow at the bottom of the page and this will lead you to the next and final step.
Note: The web address for your blog may not be available if it is already used by another blog user. As with Step 2 try different combinations of web address for your blog until you find one which is available.
Choose a template
Blogger hosts your blog for you and provides you with options of what you would like your blog to look like with a series of different templates.
You have the opportunity to select from the list a template of your choice. Not only do the templates differ in colour, but also the settings and layout of content is different. Choose your template by placing your mouse pointer over the template name (e.g. minima, minima black, son of moto) and click.
Once you’ve highlighted your choice of template click on the ‘Continue’ arrow, and CONGRATULATIONS, you have created your blog.
Note: You can always change your template later if you decide you don’t like the one you’ve chosen. Once your blogger account is finalised you’ll find that you access to wider choice of templates than the ones you see at this set up stage.
Blogs provide a means of journaling, exploration, story telling, information sharing, and anything you can think of involving text and pictures which can be made accessible to as many people as you want
Blogs can be:
Journals
News
Fiction
Web links
Communities
Work based forums
Personal web space
An online photo gallery
Blogger can be found at www.blogger.com and blogs created using Blogger have the following form of web address www.myblog.blogspot.com.
Let’s start blogging
Open Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape or which ever web software you are using and go to www.blogger.com.
Take a moment to look around the front-page of Blogger. Blogger.com is fairly easy to use and has useful explanations and descriptions. There is an opportunity to get more information on what a blog is. You can also take a quick tour around the website.
Follow the “Create a blog in 3 easy steps” links on the front-page by placing the mouse pointer over the link marked “Create Your Blog Now” and click.
Create an Account
The next page will request you to create an account. You must have an existing e-mail address in order to do this. This account will then enable you to establish as many different blogs as you would like. You can then return to the account to delete blogs, update blogs, or create new blogs.
To create your blogger account, you will have to input your e-mail address, and a password for your account. Just follow the instructions and directions given on the website as they provide precise guidance on creating a blog.
Finally don’t forget to tick any “terms and conditions” box, if you want to read the terms and conditions following the web link.
And click the “Continue” arrow
Note: With the growth in Blog popularity your first choice of username might not be available – do be patient and try variations until you find one that is accepted.
Name your Blog
This where you can think of what you want to call your blog. This can be related to what you will write about, or named after a favourite pet, friend. The name can either be a phrase or one word.
You will then have the opportunity to choose your blog address .This does not have to match the name/ title of your blog although it may make it easier for you and for others to remember the name.
Blogger uses a word verification box to help with security and data entry. The text for the word verification will appear slightly distorted; simply type the letters you see into the word verification box.
Click the “continue” arrow at the bottom of the page and this will lead you to the next and final step.
Note: The web address for your blog may not be available if it is already used by another blog user. As with Step 2 try different combinations of web address for your blog until you find one which is available.
Choose a template
Blogger hosts your blog for you and provides you with options of what you would like your blog to look like with a series of different templates.
You have the opportunity to select from the list a template of your choice. Not only do the templates differ in colour, but also the settings and layout of content is different. Choose your template by placing your mouse pointer over the template name (e.g. minima, minima black, son of moto) and click.
Once you’ve highlighted your choice of template click on the ‘Continue’ arrow, and CONGRATULATIONS, you have created your blog.
Note: You can always change your template later if you decide you don’t like the one you’ve chosen. Once your blogger account is finalised you’ll find that you access to wider choice of templates than the ones you see at this set up stage.
Monday, 28 January 2008
GMS training
I havent blogged for a while, I know I have been so busy with my work.
Well just before Christmas vacation I went to a GMS Training with Nick in Liverpool. This is a tool that will be used for the Prison project. It was quite an intense time but was very interesting as well. It does look like a very useful tool although I think it is a bit too long. I guess for prisoners it isnt that bad, I mean they have all the time to offer for the interview.
The tool is called the Geriatric Mental State (GMS), and is self explanatory really. This schedule assess and records mental state in the elderly. After completing the interviews, the data is input into the AGECAT (The Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assited Taxonomy), which groups symptoms into symptom components. These components are further grouped, and these groups are used to derive levels of confidence of diagnosis for each syndrome cluster.
The syndrome clusters represent:
Organic
Schizophrenia and related paranoid states
Mania
Depression
Obsessional Neuroses
Hypochondriasis
Phobic Neuroses
Anxiety Neuroses
This is what I understood so far because we didnt actually use the computer tool. I will try and get hold of Nick at a later stage of his project and see what further analysis is done to the data
Well just before Christmas vacation I went to a GMS Training with Nick in Liverpool. This is a tool that will be used for the Prison project. It was quite an intense time but was very interesting as well. It does look like a very useful tool although I think it is a bit too long. I guess for prisoners it isnt that bad, I mean they have all the time to offer for the interview.
The tool is called the Geriatric Mental State (GMS), and is self explanatory really. This schedule assess and records mental state in the elderly. After completing the interviews, the data is input into the AGECAT (The Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assited Taxonomy), which groups symptoms into symptom components. These components are further grouped, and these groups are used to derive levels of confidence of diagnosis for each syndrome cluster.
The syndrome clusters represent:
Organic
Schizophrenia and related paranoid states
Mania
Depression
Obsessional Neuroses
Hypochondriasis
Phobic Neuroses
Anxiety Neuroses
This is what I understood so far because we didnt actually use the computer tool. I will try and get hold of Nick at a later stage of his project and see what further analysis is done to the data
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
First Meeting this year of 2008!!!!!!
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 9th of January 2008 at 1pm in Paul Kingston’s Office.
Present: NN, PK, SM
1) I gave an update on the letters that we sent to the hospices requesting general patient population.
2) The LREC wrote a letter to say they had received all the amendments they had requested except for the hospice letters. They will therefore be waiting for the letters from the hospices before they can give a favourable opinion to the ethical application.
3) We discussed the placement opportunities that I was trying to arrange. I will contact both ……..Hospice and …….. to see whether I could do 10days work experience.
4) We then discussed the schedule for the data collection part of the project. Paul advised that I should include some time to go back to the hospices to motivate the participants to keep blogging.
5) I then shared my concern on using a questionnaire for the research. I was mainly concerned about the time I would have to analyse the interview data in order to create the questionnaires for the last part of the data collection section. We reviewed the need of the questionnaire and Stella advised that I could employ both unstructured and structured interview methods. If the first part of the interview is unstructured and the second part is more structured, then I could get both qualitative and quantitative data.
6) I informed my supervisors that I have completed my PgCRM (Postgraduate certificate in Research Methods) which is a requirement for my PhD upgrade.
7) Stella then advised that I start working on the user characteristics for the design of the website to help with the design guidelines.
Things to do by next meeting
1) Follow up on the hospice letters to the LREC committee.
2) Do some research and on user characteristics and develop design guidelines for the website.
Present: NN, PK, SM
1) I gave an update on the letters that we sent to the hospices requesting general patient population.
2) The LREC wrote a letter to say they had received all the amendments they had requested except for the hospice letters. They will therefore be waiting for the letters from the hospices before they can give a favourable opinion to the ethical application.
3) We discussed the placement opportunities that I was trying to arrange. I will contact both ……..Hospice and …….. to see whether I could do 10days work experience.
4) We then discussed the schedule for the data collection part of the project. Paul advised that I should include some time to go back to the hospices to motivate the participants to keep blogging.
5) I then shared my concern on using a questionnaire for the research. I was mainly concerned about the time I would have to analyse the interview data in order to create the questionnaires for the last part of the data collection section. We reviewed the need of the questionnaire and Stella advised that I could employ both unstructured and structured interview methods. If the first part of the interview is unstructured and the second part is more structured, then I could get both qualitative and quantitative data.
6) I informed my supervisors that I have completed my PgCRM (Postgraduate certificate in Research Methods) which is a requirement for my PhD upgrade.
7) Stella then advised that I start working on the user characteristics for the design of the website to help with the design guidelines.
Things to do by next meeting
1) Follow up on the hospice letters to the LREC committee.
2) Do some research and on user characteristics and develop design guidelines for the website.
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 11th of December 2007 at 4:30pm in Paul Kingston’s office
Present: NN, SM, PK
1) We discussed the feedback from the NHS LREC. The ethics application was approved subject to a few amendments and clarification on the following information:
· The committee requested that I ask the hospices to send information on their general patient population
· The second consent form could incorporated into the initial consent form
· The participant Information sheet and interview schedule should be rewritten in a more even handed way
· Roles of participants, relatives and staff should be clearly separated
· The poster should indicate the minimum time commitment from the participants – (3 months)
2) I would have to write a letter to the hospices and give them an update on the NHS ethical review outcome, and also to request them to write a letter to the Committee with a description of their general patient population.
3) We briefly discussed the health informatics paper and the feedback we received. Nothing was decided then, Stella advised me to just concentrate on the PhD Literature review at the moment and getting ethical approval.
4) I gave feedback on the Inverness conference, as all went well. It was quite an interesting event and I got some information on research being conducted in the hospice environment.
5) I also discussed the change to the web design for my project. I will no longer be designing a website that hosts the blogs but will design the front page. The website will then have links to the participants’ blogs. Participants will be advised to use blogger.com and will also be taught on how to use the website. This will enable users to continue blogging if they so wished after the end of the project.
6) I will be accompanying Nick to a GMS (Geriatric Mental State) training in Liverpool from the 17th to the 20th of December. Although the tool is not for my project we felt it would be good experience and opportunity to know it for future work.
Things to do by next meeting
1) Work on the issues raised by the North Staffordshire Research Ethics committee, and write to the hospices requesting the required information for the LREC
2) Continue working on the literature review
Present: NN, SM, PK
1) We discussed the feedback from the NHS LREC. The ethics application was approved subject to a few amendments and clarification on the following information:
· The committee requested that I ask the hospices to send information on their general patient population
· The second consent form could incorporated into the initial consent form
· The participant Information sheet and interview schedule should be rewritten in a more even handed way
· Roles of participants, relatives and staff should be clearly separated
· The poster should indicate the minimum time commitment from the participants – (3 months)
2) I would have to write a letter to the hospices and give them an update on the NHS ethical review outcome, and also to request them to write a letter to the Committee with a description of their general patient population.
3) We briefly discussed the health informatics paper and the feedback we received. Nothing was decided then, Stella advised me to just concentrate on the PhD Literature review at the moment and getting ethical approval.
4) I gave feedback on the Inverness conference, as all went well. It was quite an interesting event and I got some information on research being conducted in the hospice environment.
5) I also discussed the change to the web design for my project. I will no longer be designing a website that hosts the blogs but will design the front page. The website will then have links to the participants’ blogs. Participants will be advised to use blogger.com and will also be taught on how to use the website. This will enable users to continue blogging if they so wished after the end of the project.
6) I will be accompanying Nick to a GMS (Geriatric Mental State) training in Liverpool from the 17th to the 20th of December. Although the tool is not for my project we felt it would be good experience and opportunity to know it for future work.
Things to do by next meeting
1) Work on the issues raised by the North Staffordshire Research Ethics committee, and write to the hospices requesting the required information for the LREC
2) Continue working on the literature review
Friday, 2 November 2007
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 2nd of November 2007 at 10:00am in Paul Kingston’s Office.
Present: NN, PK,
1) We discussed the feedback from the NHS LREC. The ethics application was not approved for the 2nd time. We again decided to reapply and therefore needed to work on the issues raised by the LREC committee.
2) Paul advised me to contact some people with training and experience in palliative care who can give me support as required by the LREC committee. The people I suggested were:
a. …… from …… Hospice
b. …… from …… Hospice
c. …… from Staffordshire University.
3) I informed Paul that I have decided to cut down the sample size from 90 to 60 participants since the committee were not happy with the distribution of the sample amongst the hospices. Total number of patients would be 20 (5 from each hospice), 20 carers (5 from each hospice), and 20 staff (5 from each hospice). The sample size would still be good as I have the minimum number for a focus group.
4) We reviewed the poster I designed for the Inverness conference and decided to go ahead with the printing
Things to do by next meeting
1) Work on the issues raised by the North Staffordshire Research Ethics committee, and prepare a new application
2) Continue working on the literature review
Present: NN, PK,
1) We discussed the feedback from the NHS LREC. The ethics application was not approved for the 2nd time. We again decided to reapply and therefore needed to work on the issues raised by the LREC committee.
2) Paul advised me to contact some people with training and experience in palliative care who can give me support as required by the LREC committee. The people I suggested were:
a. …… from …… Hospice
b. …… from …… Hospice
c. …… from Staffordshire University.
3) I informed Paul that I have decided to cut down the sample size from 90 to 60 participants since the committee were not happy with the distribution of the sample amongst the hospices. Total number of patients would be 20 (5 from each hospice), 20 carers (5 from each hospice), and 20 staff (5 from each hospice). The sample size would still be good as I have the minimum number for a focus group.
4) We reviewed the poster I designed for the Inverness conference and decided to go ahead with the printing
Things to do by next meeting
1) Work on the issues raised by the North Staffordshire Research Ethics committee, and prepare a new application
2) Continue working on the literature review
Project plan
Envisioned Project timeplan
August 2007 - Complete PgCRM and Bath conference paper.
September 2007 - Annual Monitoring form
October 2007 - Lit Review, MREC,and Create Weblog Host site
November 2007 - Lit Review, weblog design and testing
December 2007 - Lit Review
January 2008 - Teach hospice 1 on blog creation and recruit
February 2008 - Teach Hospice 2 on blog creation and recruit
March 2008 - Interview Hospice 1 and Analyse the data, RDC2
April 2008 - Teach Hospice 3 and 4 on blog creation and recruit
May 2008 - Interview Hospice 2 and Analyse the data
June 2008 - Interview Hospice 3 and 4 and Analyse the data
July 2008 - Questionnaires to all hospices and analyse
August 2008 - Weblog content Analysis, Comprehensive analysis
September 2008 - Comparisons and A/L
October 2008 onwards - Write up.
DATA COLLECTION SCHEDULE (BROKEN UP INTO 2WEEKS)
JAN - week 1 - 2 - Recruit in Hospice 1
week 3 - 4, work on recruitment issues in Hospices
FEB - week 1 - 2, Recruit in Hospice 2
week 3- 4, recruit in Hospice 3
March - week 1 - 2, Interviews in Hospice 1
week 3 - 4, Recruit in Hospice 4
APRIL - week 1- 2, Interviews in Hospice 2
week 3 - 4, Interviews in Hospice 3
MAY - week 1- 2, Interviews in Hospice 4
week 3- 4, Questionnaires to all hospices
August 2007 - Complete PgCRM and Bath conference paper.
September 2007 - Annual Monitoring form
October 2007 - Lit Review, MREC,and Create Weblog Host site
November 2007 - Lit Review, weblog design and testing
December 2007 - Lit Review
January 2008 - Teach hospice 1 on blog creation and recruit
February 2008 - Teach Hospice 2 on blog creation and recruit
March 2008 - Interview Hospice 1 and Analyse the data, RDC2
April 2008 - Teach Hospice 3 and 4 on blog creation and recruit
May 2008 - Interview Hospice 2 and Analyse the data
June 2008 - Interview Hospice 3 and 4 and Analyse the data
July 2008 - Questionnaires to all hospices and analyse
August 2008 - Weblog content Analysis, Comprehensive analysis
September 2008 - Comparisons and A/L
October 2008 onwards - Write up.
DATA COLLECTION SCHEDULE (BROKEN UP INTO 2WEEKS)
JAN - week 1 - 2 - Recruit in Hospice 1
week 3 - 4, work on recruitment issues in Hospices
FEB - week 1 - 2, Recruit in Hospice 2
week 3- 4, recruit in Hospice 3
March - week 1 - 2, Interviews in Hospice 1
week 3 - 4, Recruit in Hospice 4
APRIL - week 1- 2, Interviews in Hospice 2
week 3 - 4, Interviews in Hospice 3
MAY - week 1- 2, Interviews in Hospice 4
week 3- 4, Questionnaires to all hospices
Busy busy
I have been so busy recently I havent had time to update my blog. Anyway like I said before about the conferences. I attended the conference in Bath and it went well, more than I expected. My presentation was great and lots of people asked questions. Stella came along and so she managed to answer some of the questions. I met some really interesting people and made good contact. I must say althoug the next conference I attend I will make sure to register for the whole time and not just the day I present. I realised that I did not network as much as I only went on the last day and I feel I could have made more contacts if I had gone earlier, which is what I will do next time.
I got so many resources as well, and I will try to submit a paper to the Mortality journal. This will be done a bit later next year as I am concentrating on the ethic approval at the moment. My application had ben rejected twice and I am feeling really low at the moment but I know everything happens for a reason, so we will see how everything works out. I would actually like to continue working with patients but it looks like the committee is not happy about that so I might have to drop them out of the project which will be quite a dissappointment.
Anyway its Friday and its time to go home.
Must remember to talk to Kamran about the website on Tuesday and then that way everything can start moving smoothly once more
Excuse me for any spelling mistakes I really have to go now.
Weekend yeah yeah yeah!!!!!!
I got so many resources as well, and I will try to submit a paper to the Mortality journal. This will be done a bit later next year as I am concentrating on the ethic approval at the moment. My application had ben rejected twice and I am feeling really low at the moment but I know everything happens for a reason, so we will see how everything works out. I would actually like to continue working with patients but it looks like the committee is not happy about that so I might have to drop them out of the project which will be quite a dissappointment.
Anyway its Friday and its time to go home.
Must remember to talk to Kamran about the website on Tuesday and then that way everything can start moving smoothly once more
Excuse me for any spelling mistakes I really have to go now.
Weekend yeah yeah yeah!!!!!!
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 18th of September 2007 at 11:00am in Paul Kingston’s Office.
Present: NN, PK, SM
1) I received feedback of an article / paper that I submitted on phenomenology and Grounded Theory methods from Stella, Paul said it would be best to ask Lou to read the paper and offer advice on the content.
2) We then discussed the feedback from the NHS LREC. The ethics application was not approved, and we decided to reapply after attending to the concerns brought up by the committee.
3) We discussed the development of the website to be used for the project. I have to find out where to purchase the URL for the website and what tools I need to create the website. I have spoken to Kamran to get assistance with Content Management Systems creation.
4) The content of the Literature review chapters has not changed but I have asked for an extension on the deadline as I cannot proceed with writing until positive outcome from the ethics committee as I might need to change the project.
5) We reviewed the feedback received from the reviewers of the Health Informatics journal of the paper I had submitted.
6) An abstract I submitted to ‘The Space between’ conference in Inverness has been accepted as a poster presentation. The conference is organised by the Highland Hospice and will explore the use of technology in palliative care
Things to do by next meeting
1) Work on the issues raised by the North Staffordshire Research Ethics committee, and prepare a new application
2) Continue working on the literature review
3) Explore the design and development of the website
4) Design the poster for the Inverness conference
5) Work on the changes and amendments suggested by the Health Informatics Journal reviewers.
Present: NN, PK, SM
1) I received feedback of an article / paper that I submitted on phenomenology and Grounded Theory methods from Stella, Paul said it would be best to ask Lou to read the paper and offer advice on the content.
2) We then discussed the feedback from the NHS LREC. The ethics application was not approved, and we decided to reapply after attending to the concerns brought up by the committee.
3) We discussed the development of the website to be used for the project. I have to find out where to purchase the URL for the website and what tools I need to create the website. I have spoken to Kamran to get assistance with Content Management Systems creation.
4) The content of the Literature review chapters has not changed but I have asked for an extension on the deadline as I cannot proceed with writing until positive outcome from the ethics committee as I might need to change the project.
5) We reviewed the feedback received from the reviewers of the Health Informatics journal of the paper I had submitted.
6) An abstract I submitted to ‘The Space between’ conference in Inverness has been accepted as a poster presentation. The conference is organised by the Highland Hospice and will explore the use of technology in palliative care
Things to do by next meeting
1) Work on the issues raised by the North Staffordshire Research Ethics committee, and prepare a new application
2) Continue working on the literature review
3) Explore the design and development of the website
4) Design the poster for the Inverness conference
5) Work on the changes and amendments suggested by the Health Informatics Journal reviewers.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Envisioned Project timeplan in August 2007
I am at present waiting for feedback from the LREC and then I will probably rearrange my schedule. The revised project plan is upto date although I should say I am behind by a month on what I had hoped to be doing, but anyway I am hoping that once the ethic part of the research is done away with I can progress at a steady pace. Not much hiccups thankfully. Just need to complete the Bath conference paper and the scotland poster then concentrate on creating the website for the blogs. I was actually hoping the University would be able to host the site and give me a few pages but apparently they are going through changes and no more personal space will be given to employees, so I guess there goes one of my plans. I have to start looking for webiste host packages. Its a bit tiresome but it is still reasonably cheap or should I say affordable. Most of them range from between £60-£120 a year and some offer really good deals
At present this is the outlook of my project plan:
August 2007 - Complete PgCRM and Bath conference paper.
September 2007 - Annual Monitoring form, Lit Review, and Create Weblog Host site
October - teach hospice 1 on blog creation and recruit
November 2007 - Teach Hospice 2 on blog creation and recruit
December 2007 - Teach Hospice 3 and 4 on blog creation and recruit
January 2008 - Interview Hospice 1
February 2008 - Analyse Hospice 1 data
March 2008 - Interview Hospice 2
April 2008 - Analyse Hospice 2 data
May 2008 - Interview Hospice 3 and 4
June 2008 - Analyse Hospice 3 and 4 data
July 2008 - Questionnaires to all hospices and analyse
August 2008 - Weblog content Analysis
September 2008 onwards - Write up.
At present this is the outlook of my project plan:
August 2007 - Complete PgCRM and Bath conference paper.
September 2007 - Annual Monitoring form, Lit Review, and Create Weblog Host site
October - teach hospice 1 on blog creation and recruit
November 2007 - Teach Hospice 2 on blog creation and recruit
December 2007 - Teach Hospice 3 and 4 on blog creation and recruit
January 2008 - Interview Hospice 1
February 2008 - Analyse Hospice 1 data
March 2008 - Interview Hospice 2
April 2008 - Analyse Hospice 2 data
May 2008 - Interview Hospice 3 and 4
June 2008 - Analyse Hospice 3 and 4 data
July 2008 - Questionnaires to all hospices and analyse
August 2008 - Weblog content Analysis
September 2008 onwards - Write up.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Conference 1
I am at the moment working on papers to present at 2 conferences. I will be attending the DDD - Dying, Death and Disposal conference in Bath. It is on the social context of Dying, Death and Disposal. 8th International Conference on the Social Context of Death, Dying and Disposal.The paper I am writing is on the use of weblogs in hospices so I am hoping that I will not have to search for too much information as I have papers for my literature review with similar content.It looks like it will be an interesting conference as it is a major multi-disciplinary conference. To see more information on this conference go to their website.
http://www.bath.ac.uk/cdas/news/conferences/
I hope it will be a good event with lots of contacts and good networking
http://www.bath.ac.uk/cdas/news/conferences/
I hope it will be a good event with lots of contacts and good networking
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Updated timeplan
Envisioned Project timeplan
July 2007 - Create Weblog Host site
August 2007 - Complete PgCRM and Bath conference paper.
September 2007 - Annual Monitoring form, Lit Review, and teach hospice 1 on blog creation and recruit
October - Teach Hospice 2 on blog creation and recruit
November 2007 - Teach Hospice 3 and 4 on blog creation and recruit
December 2007 - Interview Hospice 1
January 2008 - Analyse Hospice 1 data
February 2008 - Interview Hospice 2
March 2008 - Analyse Hospice 2 data
April 2008 - Interview Hospice 3 and 4
May 2008 - Analyse Hospice 3 and 4 data
June 2008 - Questionnaires to all hospices and analyse
July 2008 - Weblog content Analysis
August 2008 onwards - Write up.
July 2007 - Create Weblog Host site
August 2007 - Complete PgCRM and Bath conference paper.
September 2007 - Annual Monitoring form, Lit Review, and teach hospice 1 on blog creation and recruit
October - Teach Hospice 2 on blog creation and recruit
November 2007 - Teach Hospice 3 and 4 on blog creation and recruit
December 2007 - Interview Hospice 1
January 2008 - Analyse Hospice 1 data
February 2008 - Interview Hospice 2
March 2008 - Analyse Hospice 2 data
April 2008 - Interview Hospice 3 and 4
May 2008 - Analyse Hospice 3 and 4 data
June 2008 - Questionnaires to all hospices and analyse
July 2008 - Weblog content Analysis
August 2008 onwards - Write up.
Friday, 6 July 2007
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 6th of July 2007 at 2:30pm in Paul Kingston’s Office.
Present: NN, PK, SM
1) I submitted an article / paper that I have written on phenomenology and Grounded Theory methods. I have asked the supervisors to analyse my style of writing and offer any advice on how I can improve.
2) We then discussed the user characteristics. Both supervisors advised that since there is no literature on website design for the palliative care setting, I should adapt design principles and characteristics for similar impairments such as:
- Physical disability
- Cognitive disability
- Attention Deficit disorder
- Mental disability
- Mental and physical exhaustion syndrome
3) Paul offered to go through the LREC form over the weekend and make any changes or suggestions before submitting it. LREC meeting is on the 8th of August 2007 with the North Staffs Ethics Committee.
4) University ethics IPR has been approved and the letter of indemnity received.
5) We had a brief discussion on the content outline of the first 4 chapters of the thesis. Necessary changes were made which I will update and consider when I start writing the chapters.
6) We set the deadline for the literature review as mid-September.
Present: NN, PK, SM
1) I submitted an article / paper that I have written on phenomenology and Grounded Theory methods. I have asked the supervisors to analyse my style of writing and offer any advice on how I can improve.
2) We then discussed the user characteristics. Both supervisors advised that since there is no literature on website design for the palliative care setting, I should adapt design principles and characteristics for similar impairments such as:
- Physical disability
- Cognitive disability
- Attention Deficit disorder
- Mental disability
- Mental and physical exhaustion syndrome
3) Paul offered to go through the LREC form over the weekend and make any changes or suggestions before submitting it. LREC meeting is on the 8th of August 2007 with the North Staffs Ethics Committee.
4) University ethics IPR has been approved and the letter of indemnity received.
5) We had a brief discussion on the content outline of the first 4 chapters of the thesis. Necessary changes were made which I will update and consider when I start writing the chapters.
6) We set the deadline for the literature review as mid-September.
Thursday, 7 June 2007
What am I up to?
Well I really dont have much to post at the moment. I am still busy reading phenomenological and grounded theory methods. I think I am a bit biased towards Grounded Theory because it was developed during a study for dying patients and it just seems a bit more relevant to what I will be doing - dealing with patients in hospices.
I am also about to complete my Basic Counselling skills course, which has been a big help to me and jump started my personal growth and developement. It is really a challenging course which requires an individual to use their heart rather than their heads and in this way you become able to deal with people, stuff and almost anything as you are more aware of things around you and why you act they way you do or the resaon you are the person you are and how to change that. I have learnt how to deal with issues that have affected me for a long time and move on. Life gets a bit clearer (like seeing the bigger picture in life). I guess it would be like chanting for Buddhist. I have enjoyed it, I might even post my final assignment which is a journal of my personal journey during the course.
I am also about to complete my Basic Counselling skills course, which has been a big help to me and jump started my personal growth and developement. It is really a challenging course which requires an individual to use their heart rather than their heads and in this way you become able to deal with people, stuff and almost anything as you are more aware of things around you and why you act they way you do or the resaon you are the person you are and how to change that. I have learnt how to deal with issues that have affected me for a long time and move on. Life gets a bit clearer (like seeing the bigger picture in life). I guess it would be like chanting for Buddhist. I have enjoyed it, I might even post my final assignment which is a journal of my personal journey during the course.
Friday, 25 May 2007
Phenomenology Vs Grounded Theory
The focus of grounded theory and phenomenology methods are differentiated by Creswell (1998) as follows: - purpose of a Grounded theory method is developing theory whilst that of the phenomenology method is understanding a concept or phenomenon.
Phenomenology is grounded in philosophy and was founded by Hurssel whilst studying consciousness as experienced by the participant. The goal of a phenomenological study is to describe the lived experience of the participants and the meaning of that experience from the participants’ perspective. Phenomenology is based on the assumption that one can only describe the world as experienced by the studied individual and is neither a subjective nor an objective description (Merleau-Ponty 1962). Phenomenology therefore seeks to describe psychological structures. When using the phenomenology method, a researcher is required to approach the data without prejudice and it is therefore advisable not to use literature as a source of data (Baker et al, 1992). The principal method of data collection when using a phenomenology method is the interview. It is also important for the researcher to show the participant a copy of the interview in order to confirm the meanings assigned to the experience (Wimpenny & Gass, 2000). Descriptive and Interpretive are the two most common types of phenomenology. Descriptive focuses on describing what we know whilst interpretive focuses on describing and interpreting human experience.
Grounded theory was developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967) when studying the experience of dying patients and has its roots grounded in sociology. The grounded theory method is based on symbolic interactionism which focuses on the processes of people’s social interactions and the meanings they assign to events. These interactions are said to be symbolic as something (language, words, symbols) is used to convey their meaning and facilitate the interaction (Denzin, 1989). Because Symbolic interactonism is a branch of interpetivism, Grounded theory is based on the assumption that people develop meanings to an event through experience and social interaction. The meanings that people assign to these events eventually build their behaviour (Baker et al 1992). Grounded Theory therefore seeks to explain social processes. Not only does the Grounded theory develop theory, but can modify and further develop existing theories (McCann & Clark, 2003). Grounded Theorists use literature reviews for theoretical sensitivity and also for theory comparisons. The literature review is also used to justify the study and provide background. Theoretical sensitivity enables researchers to enter the field of study with an awareness and understanding of the data so as to be able to isolate the appropriate from the inappropriate information (McCann & Clark, 2003). Grounded Theory employs two types of sampling, Purposive and theoretical sampling. Initially purposive sampling is used and initial data collected. Because grounded theory employs a cyclic approach of data collection and analysis, the initial data collected is analysed and further decisions about the participants is made based on the emerging theory. This later sampling is known as theoretical sampling, and the new data collected facilitates comparison of the emerging categories. Grounded Theory uses multiple methods of data collection including observational collection (Wimpenny & Gass, 2000).
Phenomenology is grounded in philosophy and was founded by Hurssel whilst studying consciousness as experienced by the participant. The goal of a phenomenological study is to describe the lived experience of the participants and the meaning of that experience from the participants’ perspective. Phenomenology is based on the assumption that one can only describe the world as experienced by the studied individual and is neither a subjective nor an objective description (Merleau-Ponty 1962). Phenomenology therefore seeks to describe psychological structures. When using the phenomenology method, a researcher is required to approach the data without prejudice and it is therefore advisable not to use literature as a source of data (Baker et al, 1992). The principal method of data collection when using a phenomenology method is the interview. It is also important for the researcher to show the participant a copy of the interview in order to confirm the meanings assigned to the experience (Wimpenny & Gass, 2000). Descriptive and Interpretive are the two most common types of phenomenology. Descriptive focuses on describing what we know whilst interpretive focuses on describing and interpreting human experience.
Grounded theory was developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967) when studying the experience of dying patients and has its roots grounded in sociology. The grounded theory method is based on symbolic interactionism which focuses on the processes of people’s social interactions and the meanings they assign to events. These interactions are said to be symbolic as something (language, words, symbols) is used to convey their meaning and facilitate the interaction (Denzin, 1989). Because Symbolic interactonism is a branch of interpetivism, Grounded theory is based on the assumption that people develop meanings to an event through experience and social interaction. The meanings that people assign to these events eventually build their behaviour (Baker et al 1992). Grounded Theory therefore seeks to explain social processes. Not only does the Grounded theory develop theory, but can modify and further develop existing theories (McCann & Clark, 2003). Grounded Theorists use literature reviews for theoretical sensitivity and also for theory comparisons. The literature review is also used to justify the study and provide background. Theoretical sensitivity enables researchers to enter the field of study with an awareness and understanding of the data so as to be able to isolate the appropriate from the inappropriate information (McCann & Clark, 2003). Grounded Theory employs two types of sampling, Purposive and theoretical sampling. Initially purposive sampling is used and initial data collected. Because grounded theory employs a cyclic approach of data collection and analysis, the initial data collected is analysed and further decisions about the participants is made based on the emerging theory. This later sampling is known as theoretical sampling, and the new data collected facilitates comparison of the emerging categories. Grounded Theory uses multiple methods of data collection including observational collection (Wimpenny & Gass, 2000).
Friday, 11 May 2007
Current Timeplan - to be reviewed in 3 months time
Create the Weblog 1 month Fri 01/06/07 Mon 02/07/07
Test the weblog 1 month Mon 02/07/07 Tue 31/07/07
PgCRM Module 1 month Wed 01/08/07 Fri 31/08/07
Annual Monitoring Form 1 month Mon 03/09/07 Mon 08/10/07
MPhIl transfer to PhD 2 weeks Tue 11/09/07 Tue 25/09/07
Recruit and teach blogs (1 & 2) 1 month Mon 01/10/07 Fri 02/11/07
Recruit and teach blogs (3 & 4) 1 month Thu 01/11/07 Fri 07/12/07
Conduct Interviews 1 month Mon 03/12/07 Thu 10/01/08
Conduct Interviews 1 month Thu 03/01/08 Fri 01/02/08
Qualitative analysis 1 month Fri 01/02/08 Mon 10/03/08
Analysis & questionnaire design 1 month Mon 03/03/08 Mon 07/04/08
Questionnaire ( 1 & 2) 1 month Mon 07/04/08 Tue 06/05/08
Questionnaire ( 3 & 4) 1 month Thu 01/05/08 Fri 30/05/08
Quantitative analysis 1 month Mon 02/06/08 Tue 08/07/08
Start write up 12 months Tue 01/07/08 Fri 24/07/09
Test the weblog 1 month Mon 02/07/07 Tue 31/07/07
PgCRM Module 1 month Wed 01/08/07 Fri 31/08/07
Annual Monitoring Form 1 month Mon 03/09/07 Mon 08/10/07
MPhIl transfer to PhD 2 weeks Tue 11/09/07 Tue 25/09/07
Recruit and teach blogs (1 & 2) 1 month Mon 01/10/07 Fri 02/11/07
Recruit and teach blogs (3 & 4) 1 month Thu 01/11/07 Fri 07/12/07
Conduct Interviews 1 month Mon 03/12/07 Thu 10/01/08
Conduct Interviews 1 month Thu 03/01/08 Fri 01/02/08
Qualitative analysis 1 month Fri 01/02/08 Mon 10/03/08
Analysis & questionnaire design 1 month Mon 03/03/08 Mon 07/04/08
Questionnaire ( 1 & 2) 1 month Mon 07/04/08 Tue 06/05/08
Questionnaire ( 3 & 4) 1 month Thu 01/05/08 Fri 30/05/08
Quantitative analysis 1 month Mon 02/06/08 Tue 08/07/08
Start write up 12 months Tue 01/07/08 Fri 24/07/09
Philosophy of Social Research
This is why I have not blooged for a while, I have been trying to learn something unteachable - PHILOSOPHY.
Philosophy of Social Research
Epistemology: - What is acceptable knowledge and how valid it is and tries to answer questions like, what differentiates belief from knowledge?
Ontology: - is the part of Meta physics which deals with the nature of being, or what exists. The ontological argument is that in order for us to understand the world or domain we live in, assumptions are made about what exists within that domain, what is real?
There are four main strategies that can be employed to conduct research in the social sciences and these are:
1) Inductive
2) Deductive
3) Retroductive
4) Abductive
The approaches taken for research draw from these four strategies in the way data is collected, and analysed and are discussed below.
a) Positivism is an inductive approach and states that all true knowledge is scientific and is measurable. Also known as empiricism and pioneered by Auguste Comte, positivism rejects metaphysics and claims that knowledge of anything that cannot be observed and measured is impossible. This approach heavily relies on observation as the basis of scientific knowledge. In this approach, observations are made of a situation or problem, experiments are then conducted and the data thoroughly scrutinised and from this analysis new theories are developed. The ontology of Positivism is naïve realism were reality is assumed to exist and is guided by laws and mechanisms. Epistemology of positivism is dualist and objectivist, whereby the researcher and participants are viewed as separate entities, and the researcher’s views/ opinions/ beliefs do not in any way influence the research. The methodology best used in this approach is Experimental and manipulative, where questions are used to empirically test hypothesis with all other confounding variables controlled to prevent an influence on the outcome.
b) The second strategy of social research is the deductive strategy whereby the research is guided by theory. This strategy is also known as the hypothetico-deductive or falsificationist approach and takes on a Critical Rationalism approach of research. The main operation of this strategy is to falsify the hypothesis. The problem to be investigated is reviewed and a possible answer or explanation is created first before any observation is done. The answer to the question is also known as a hypothesis and this then undergoes various forms of scrutiny and testing in order to falsify it. The hypothesis stands as truth until such a time when after meticulous testing it is falsified.
c) Postpositivism is an approach that later developed to challenge positivism. It is a retroductive approach which relies on building structures and mechanisms of a phenomenon, observing and testing this structure in order to explain the situation/experience.
Post positivism’s ontology is critical realism, although reality is alleged to exist, it is not as perfect as it is in its natural state because of human’s flawed methods of discovery. The epistemology of this approach is modified dualist/objectivist, in this approach the researcher and participants are still viewed as separate entities but more emphasis is placed on pre-existing knowledge, and critical communities or “external guardians”. The methodology used for this approach is modified experimental/manipulative, the idea is to falsify rather than verify hypothesis. This methodology differs from positivism in that it collects data from more natural settings than a positivist.
d) Constructivism takes on an abductive approach and has relativist ontology. This is where there are many realities of phenomena all dependent on the social actor or individual. These realities can change over time or in different situations and can only be defined by the participant in any research. The epistemology of this approach is a transactional and subjectivist with the belief that the researcher and participant interact during the research and are therefore linked and thus knowledge is created as the research proceeds. Methodology most suitable for this approach is hermeneutical and dialectical. Other approaches that use this strategy include Feminism, Realism and Structuration theory.
Get help with this
Philosophy of Social Research
Epistemology: - What is acceptable knowledge and how valid it is and tries to answer questions like, what differentiates belief from knowledge?
Ontology: - is the part of Meta physics which deals with the nature of being, or what exists. The ontological argument is that in order for us to understand the world or domain we live in, assumptions are made about what exists within that domain, what is real?
There are four main strategies that can be employed to conduct research in the social sciences and these are:
1) Inductive
2) Deductive
3) Retroductive
4) Abductive
The approaches taken for research draw from these four strategies in the way data is collected, and analysed and are discussed below.
a) Positivism is an inductive approach and states that all true knowledge is scientific and is measurable. Also known as empiricism and pioneered by Auguste Comte, positivism rejects metaphysics and claims that knowledge of anything that cannot be observed and measured is impossible. This approach heavily relies on observation as the basis of scientific knowledge. In this approach, observations are made of a situation or problem, experiments are then conducted and the data thoroughly scrutinised and from this analysis new theories are developed. The ontology of Positivism is naïve realism were reality is assumed to exist and is guided by laws and mechanisms. Epistemology of positivism is dualist and objectivist, whereby the researcher and participants are viewed as separate entities, and the researcher’s views/ opinions/ beliefs do not in any way influence the research. The methodology best used in this approach is Experimental and manipulative, where questions are used to empirically test hypothesis with all other confounding variables controlled to prevent an influence on the outcome.
b) The second strategy of social research is the deductive strategy whereby the research is guided by theory. This strategy is also known as the hypothetico-deductive or falsificationist approach and takes on a Critical Rationalism approach of research. The main operation of this strategy is to falsify the hypothesis. The problem to be investigated is reviewed and a possible answer or explanation is created first before any observation is done. The answer to the question is also known as a hypothesis and this then undergoes various forms of scrutiny and testing in order to falsify it. The hypothesis stands as truth until such a time when after meticulous testing it is falsified.
c) Postpositivism is an approach that later developed to challenge positivism. It is a retroductive approach which relies on building structures and mechanisms of a phenomenon, observing and testing this structure in order to explain the situation/experience.
Post positivism’s ontology is critical realism, although reality is alleged to exist, it is not as perfect as it is in its natural state because of human’s flawed methods of discovery. The epistemology of this approach is modified dualist/objectivist, in this approach the researcher and participants are still viewed as separate entities but more emphasis is placed on pre-existing knowledge, and critical communities or “external guardians”. The methodology used for this approach is modified experimental/manipulative, the idea is to falsify rather than verify hypothesis. This methodology differs from positivism in that it collects data from more natural settings than a positivist.
d) Constructivism takes on an abductive approach and has relativist ontology. This is where there are many realities of phenomena all dependent on the social actor or individual. These realities can change over time or in different situations and can only be defined by the participant in any research. The epistemology of this approach is a transactional and subjectivist with the belief that the researcher and participant interact during the research and are therefore linked and thus knowledge is created as the research proceeds. Methodology most suitable for this approach is hermeneutical and dialectical. Other approaches that use this strategy include Feminism, Realism and Structuration theory.
Get help with this
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)