Many young people just miss out on the qualifications needed to undertake a nursing degree course. The option of a foundation year would help them to make the grade and could ease the workforce crisis, says nursing professor Alison Twycross
Professional self-interest should not be allowed to shape the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s education standards, says nursing professor and deputy dean Alison Twycross
Ethics has been defined as moral principles that in the context of research pertain to treating participants fairly and responsibly throughout the research process (Williamson 1981). No researcher would deny that this is important. Research with or on children (defined as people younger than 18 years old) is important (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 2000, Medical Research Council 2004) but children taking part in research projects are particularly vulnerable. In light of this, several organisations in the UK have published ethical guidelines relating to research with or on children. In this paper, I will identify a number of ethical guidelines and identify common themes, including: informed consent, payments to participants, limiting the guarantees of confidentiality and protecting participants. I will look at the areas where the guidelines are in agreement, and the issues that require further debate before there can be an interprofessional approach to the ethics of research with or on children.
When this book landed on my desk I wasn’t sure of its value. However, within a few days I had already found it extremely useful. The book will be a valuable resource for researchers at all stages of their careers. It acts as a starting point for those seeking information about a vast array of research-related topics. For example, if you want to know something about triangulation, a section that provides a definition is followed by a list of references and a few lines describing the content and usefulness of each reference. Should you be looking for information about a specific approach, an extensive list of references is provided about a broad range of methodologies.
The second edition of Creswell’s book has been significantly revised and updated. The author clearly sets out three approaches to research: quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. As someone who has used mixed methods in my research, it is refreshing to read a textbook that addresses this. The differences between the approaches are clearly identified and a rationale for using each methodological stance provided.