Database Project: Information & Healthcare Technologies Applied to Nursing Practice, Term Paper Example

Team Vision

To collaborate, research and identify credible information by utilizing various search engines, focusing on a specific nursing issue. The ultimate goal is the creation of a database that encompasses a compilation of credible Internet based information regarding the chosen issue.

Processes and Expectations for Communication

Effective communication is vital to the success of any team.  As such, Team B members will communicate on a regular basis, offer and accept feedback and show respect for other team members by contributing equally to this project primarily via postings to the team’s work area available on line.  Scott-Ladd & Chan (2008) found that effective team members feel connected to each other, with a sense of working toward a shared, time-bounded goal within the online experience.  It is expected that all members of the team will check in through the discussion board a minimum of 3 times per week and check email daily.

How Conflict Will be Dealt With

Team members are professionals and will maintain professionalism when dealing with conflict. Team members are encouraged to share ideas openly.  Should any conflicts arise, it will be discussed with the team through the discussion board.  The Team Leader/Organizer will mediate any conflicts. All members will be involved in decisions regarding conflict. The team hopes to keep communication open, build a trusting relationship, and resolve conflict through discussion.  If there are any conflicts that cannot be resolved we will consult with our instructor for further guidance.  As Gardner (2005) related in the article, Ten Lessons in Collaboration, conflicts are a part of the collaboration process, but conflict resolution is the cornerstone of the collaborative success.

Expectations for Participation

It is imperative that all team members adhere to the agreed upon rules and guidelines in order to meet group expectations and be successful.  All members must make a conscientious effort to log into the discussion board at least three times per week and also check class email.  If circumstances arise that prevents a team member’s participation, that member will send each team member an email and also go to the group discussion board and leave a message.  Everyone is responsible for completing their section of the team project assignment and turning it into the editor in time for corrections.  As respectful and professional adults, we must be able to take constructive criticism from each other.  As stated in the E-Learning Companion work book, team members should also review and revise each other’s work to ensure clarity and reduce the odds of miscommunication (Watkins & Corry, 2009).  Working together from different locales and time zones may pose a challenge, but if we all work together this will resolve itself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Team B has demonstrated the benefit of having a collaborative plan that enables all members to work together. The team has developed and defined the expectations and an agreeable process of communication. Team B’s ultimate goal is dedicated to the completion of this project.

Team B Using Search Engines

Summary Introduction

In this paper, Team B investigated a simple health related topic (Adult Depression), using four different search engines to demonstrate useful strategies, and the team’s professional knowledge to differentiate one search engine from another and compile a credible website database from the World Wide Web. Difficulties and successes encountered while searching were noted along with the total number of sites and the criteria established for the team project.

Search Engines and Criteria

Team B used Bing, Dogpile, Google, and Yahoo as the search engines for this project. The criterion used was as follows: Team B utilized the specific wording “Adult Depression” in all four search engines. The team used the first page of each search engine to compile websites for the database. Excluded were any websites advertising medicinal remedies, herbal supplements, advertisements for personal services, sponsored sites, and blogs. The criteria used to determine credibility of a website includes site accreditation, ease of navigation, credentialing of source (sites connected to credible learning organizations), and how the comprehensiveness of the information found. As stated by Hood & Leddy (2006) “The World Wide Web (the Web) serves as a major source of advertising for- profit and nonprofit organizations”. Hood & Leddy  further stated “Business frequently use the muscle of websites to lure customers into purchasing products”. ß Move punctuation to the inside of the “  then add (page number). One item the team looked for was the Health on the Net Foundation (HON) code. HONcode is the oldest, and the most used code for medical and health related information available on Internet (cite). The HONcode is designed for two target audiences: the general public and the web publisher, actively involving the site owner in the process of certification. [See Perrin for notations above. The Writing Center can help.]

Findings

Bing listed 22 websites on the first page, of which 11 were sponsored websites. Of the remaining 11 websites, 9 websites contained the wording “Adult Depression” in the heading. There was a surprise by one website which contained questionnaires asking for past medical and psychiatric condition along with personal information. It appeared to be soliciting subjects for clinical trials. One website had not been modified in almost 3 years. Of the 9 websites checked, 3 websites appeared to be credible with useful information. One problem that was observed with Bing is that the number of results changed. One day it was 12.9 million. The next day, the results were 13.5 million. 

Dogpile listed 20 websites on the first page, of which 9 were sponsored websites. Of the remaining 11 websites, 7 websites contained the words “Adult” and “Depression” in the heading. Only one website was found to be in compliance with the HONcode. One website that appeared legitimate encouraged readers to seek help if they were having suicidal ideations. One website was a peer reviewed research paper on suicide. Another website offered clinician education handouts and a power point presentation. One surprise came from a website that contained offensive health care jokes. Of the 7 websites checked, 4 websites appeared to be relevant and credible with very useful information. One problem that was observed with Dogpile was there were only 64 results total.

A search of Google resulted in 17.4 million results. The first page contained 13 results. There were 11 sponsored links listed followed by 10 other websites. Of these 10 websites, 6 contained the words Adult Depression, and 4 contained the word Adult and/or Depression in the heading, but not together. One website was soliciting for donations. Two websites were blogs. One website had basic information and a telephone number to call if the person was developing suicidal thoughts. One website contained the TRUSTe certification, showing only that consumer information was protected. There were two websites that were in compliance with the HONcode. Of the 10 websites checked, 5 appeared to be credible.

Yahoo listed a total of 41.9 million results. Yahoo had 22 results on the first page, 12 of which were sponsored sites. There were 7 websites that had Adult Depression listed together and 3 that had a combination of Adult and/or Depression, but not together. Two of the websites offered basic information that was credible and the average consumer could use. Two websites were research sites, one of which specifically listed active studies with contact information listed. One site, sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services was linked to a review of the effectiveness of antidepressants. One surprise was that only two websites had information that was credible and useful.

Conclusion

Team B has utilized set criteria to select and verify sites with credible information from four search engines with the ultimate goal of developing a trustworthy database. Based on these criteria, 14 websites were found to be credible with useful information. The search engine Dogpile appeared to be the best, with the fewest advertisements and sponsored sites. One website (http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/233.cfm) was found on all 4 search engines and was selected independently by each team member as a credible website. The other credible sites will be listed as part of the database on Part 3 of Team B Project.

Database Plan

Summary Introduction

In this paper, Team B will address the desired outputs and the input necessary to reach the output identified in the database created. The Team will also analyze the reasons for the its choice of format to store and retrieve data from the database created, as well a different approach to creating a database as a result of the of the successes and failures encountered.

How to Organized Database to Communicate With a Wider Audience

To organize educational information into a database to reach a wider audience, it is important to first of all identify the targeted audience. The New South Wales Government Web noted that for data base to reach a wider audience the information presented should be based on the following, the sex, age group, occupation, location and population. Also noted is the  importance of researching what the target group already know on the subject to be presented, while stating clearly the purpose of creating the database (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/community/edproject/section205.htm). According the New Zealand Government Web Standards, consistency in navigation within a site is an important feature for usability, accessibility, and produces a good user experience (http://www.webstandards.govt.nz/8-1-identify-the-target-of-each-link/). As such, a database should be easily accessible, flexible, should provide contact information and be updated regularly for effective communication (Litwin, Getz & Reddrick, 1994).

Desired Input

The plan of the database will be guided by the input and output requirements. From the scenario given, the input requirements are the credible sites on depression. The site address will therefore be best stored with a name as well as a unique ID, creation date and ranking to allow for easier tracking and management within the database. With an ID and a name, a site can be easily retrieved even if one does not remember the actual address of the site.

The desired outputs are: What is depression,? What causes depression? What are the signs and symptoms of depression? What are the treatment options? What support system is available in the community to help depressed clients?

Input to Reach Desired Output

The inputs needed to reach these desired outputs is providing answers to the following outputs, signs and symptoms of depression, causes, risk factors treatments crisis hotline, research, and clinical trials and ways to deal with depression.

References

Weil A T Forrester Jay W Williams J Clifton Walter Mischel People’S Daily Addiction Search 1971 “Counterintuitive Behavior of Social Systems”

Weil, A. T., Forrester, Jay W., Williams, J. Clifton, Walter, Mischel, People’s Daily, & Addiction Search (1971). “Counterintuitive Behavior of Social Systems”. : Forrester, op.cit.