NURSING AND EDUCATION PLATFORM

Is research re-inventing the wheel? Often we research and discover the same conclusion that they came to 20years ago. Yet some researchers seem to be unaware of the earlier work. Is this due to difficulties locating earlier work and the abandonment of it by computer based searches which only go back 5 years in some cases? It is not the research that is done that matters but what is done with the research. Are we just gathering accolades ? Comes back again to linking theory and research to practice.

What purpose do Degrees really serve? Today one can obtain a Deree in almost anything eg study a specific celebrity. Yes it enables one to be more aware of research and hopefully to think more. However what purpose does pure theory serve? Degrees need to be practically linked. For example in nursing, one can learn theory but how can it be applied in practice? There are many dilemmas to consider-- what if the client refuses the medication or food or care offered? What if there is insufficient staff to enable these wonderful policies and theories to be met? What if one is working in other countries with different resources or care homes compared to NHS? The same no doubt can be said of other fields- psychology or joinery or education. We need really to consider how to apply theory to practice and overcome and restrictions.  Also, why do Degrees at all? Are they a political tool? I know some excellant thinkers who do not have  a Degree.

Referencing ahoy!

Have we gone overboard with referencing? Authors /researchers today must support their statements and also avoid plagiarism bythe use of references. However, does this not stint original thought?

Earlier works such as Freud or  Darwin did not overuse references, consisting of pure thought. Today as an author, I may have an original idea but find that somebody else has earlier stated it so must reference it to them. Indeed it is so bad, if I do have an original thought, I search the literature to ensure nobody else has had it!! Yet it is not always that such work is found by the author.There are indeed, good points to referencing but not all authors do it. This all concerns the lifting of ideas. When is an idea to beconsidered plagiarism? If I inform somebody else of my research idea and it is given to another person to research, is this not plagiarism? However, if people research the same topic they will inevitably identify similar sources andsimilar conclusions. Yet people who do research the same topics, are afraid tocollaborate in fear of ideas being stolen. How sad.Further, earlier references are needed for historical analysis. Yet the use of earlier references if frowned upon or neglected by today’s computer searches.

Further the availability of references is restricted by someUniversities who will not obtain references from abroad due to cost. It is not easy to access the British lending library either. This limits topics and research. Hence, the most commonly available reference is cited.

It seems that the art of thinking is restricted today. Is this because of the fear of challenges to the system?

So you have an idea eg book/article/research/new method. Be careful who you share it with. Is taking the idea of somebody else- plagiarism? According to some definitions of plagiarism, yes it is.There is often the "I could have done that syndrome." If so, why didn't you? This is like saying- I could have invented the toilet. Easy when it is somebody elses idea isn't it? We need to give credit to those who originally have the idea. Yes, sometimes it is ordinary people and not the already established academics.The difficulty is, what can the original thinker do about it? How can it be proved? In some cases it can be proved by keeping dates and times and some written evidence. Really original ideas and publications, can be registered copyright using a UK copyright agency online (if in the UK. These also exisit in other countries). However, of course it is impossible to copyright everything. Also, it is not advisable to fall out with established academics/ institutions  who you may well need in the future. Sometimes myself, I will offer my ideas to others as I know I cannot implement them all. Yet it is nice to be acknowledged now and again.

Carol Dimon

The work of independent researchers is restricted in the UK. Unless anybody is attached to a University ; as student or member of staff, they do not have access to interlibrary loans or gain support for their work and ideas. Indeed, even with University access, some Universities will not obtain work that is outside the UK. Also publication of work is restricted; most books and journals now usually commission items . Indeed, more copies sell with a reputable person's name on it as author. The British lending library will only post you items if your local library wil request it; many will not do so due to funding. Gaining access to the BLL in London certainly is not easy; to go and read items there when you do not live in London, unless you have  a lot of time to wait whilst ID is checked and money to there. Universities therefore seem to dictate what is researched, what is published and what work is referenced. There are however some Universities abroad, who will for a  fee, send you copies of books or articles if they have them.One answer is for us all to assist one another. Having written and researched for 20 years; independently, I have collected  a lot of references some of which are very rare, and am always keen to share with others. It would also be excellent marketing for established academics  within Universities, to offer support and recognition to developing individuals.

If anybody has witnessed poor care, please let me know if you are prepared to. The same could apply in other professions eg education, not only nursing. Would appreciate good care examples also- cannot be too negative. To reply to this blog- professional replies only- click on RSS. Or email me. Thanks. Carol

OK folks. If anybody wants to write or research independently, I am willing to help- and will not take your ideas. No satisfaction using somebody else's. There are a lot of capable individuals out there who need a platform.

Plagiarism refers to the intentional or unintentional use of other people's ideas or materials. Whilst referencing is encouraged in all HE establishments, and some FE ones, plagiarism continues to occur. If somebody reads of an author in a piece of work, some people quote the author as though thay have sourced the reference. Also, an idea which may be passed around between academics should still be referenced to the person who originally suggested it. Submitting articles may also be an issue - when somebody else has independently written about the same subject, the issue of who is the originator of a idea arises. There should be no satisfaction from using somebody elses work or ideas, and this should be instilled in schools. The wrongful (cut and paste) use of the internet as a means of plagiarism, often with no references being given, is a concern that should be particularly addressed. The introduction of stiffer penalties for those found guilty of plagiarism should also be considered.

In many jobs staff are not often thanked for tasks they do, e.g. standing in for people. A thank you can go a long way; helping to motivate staff if used correctly. Some people who are thanked, however, think it stems from sarcasm. How sad. Some jobs have a 'thank the staff day' - when managers, who often need thanks themselves, make a point of thanking staff. Do we really need a policy to thank staff? Does everything need to be written down before we do it? Does nobody think anymore? Thanking someone indicates that they have achieved something, and have been of help. It indicates that their contribution has been acknowledged, which is all the encouragement some people need, which may lead to improvements in practice.