Information experience of undergraduate students when optimizing google search for their study

Googling for Health Information

<div class="WordSection1"><p>I am honored for being an alumnus of KEMC, and am delighted to write this editorial for the Annals. I have, ever since done my research and taught qualitative methods, felt that clinical methods are quite akin to qualitative research. Then, why only few clinical researchers use qualitative methods? A witness to this assumption is the research published in the Annals. In this treatise, I try to identify some parallels between the two types of methods and argue for the clinicians to invest in learning qualitative research methods to practice clinical methods well.</p><p> Qualitative research is to identify and interpret issues from the perspective of participants, their experience of: illness or disability, using health service, and to appreciate the meanings they give to the behaviour, events or objects in the context of their social and cultural norms. In this type of research, the emphasis is on exploring the associations and understanding the phenomenon in its holism; and not, like in quantitative research, from an outsider’s perspective and for certain specific aspects.<sup>1</sup> It requires participants with specific characteristics, selected purposely that can best inform the research topic. More participants, identified inductively during data collection, are added to develop full and multiple perspectives about the cases.<sup>2</sup></p><p> No preset data collection tool is used, instead qualitative researcher guided by a research question acts as an instrument, since the line of enquiry he changes during data collection as new understanding is gained and/or the situation changes.<sup>3</sup> The data for research is derived from the observation, interviews or verbal interactions, focus group discussions, document reviews, life histories etc. and the researcher asks why, how and under what circumstances things occur; and not just what, where and when. It is recorded in words or pictures and log book is used to record notes arising from interviews, observations, extracts from documents etc.</p><p> In health care settings patients are the subjects for clinical methods. The clinician, even prior to any verbal communication, observes the patient, e.g. for his gait and appearance. If in a bed or examination couch, his posture could give some clue to the illness. Inspection, a clinical method, is like systematic observation, which is qualitative method, should be holistic. In my third year during bedside teaching, Professor (late) Rashid Ahmed Qureshi said, <em>“patient has come to you as a whole and not his stomach in a tray”</em>, when a student straight went to examine abdomen of a patient with acute abdomen. History taking, another clinical method, is like conducting semi structured in depth interview – a qualitative research method. In both disciplines, we are told, <em>“not to ask leading, but follow up and probing questions”; </em>and Professor (late) Alamgir Khan, while teaching clinical methods, would add, <em>“if a good history is taken, you will establish diagnosis in over 65% of cases”. </em>Likewise, as part of history taking, documents related to patient’s illness history and treatment are reviewed similar to document review in qualitative research.</p><p> The two approaches however differ in how the data is analysed. In clinical practice, diagnosis is established based on the pathophysiological knowledge or patient’s clinical condition is discussed in clinicopathological conference.<sup>4</sup> On the other hand, qualitative research employs meaning based data analysis, whereby the qualitative data is transformed into some form of explanation, understanding or interpretation of people and situation that is investigated.<sup>5,6</sup></p><p> In conclusion, the history, the observation and the review of document related to patient are since obtainned using qualitative methods, the clinician trained in these methods could not only conduct these methods well but also interpret the data to identify and detect obstacles to the change in clinical condition and the reasons why improvement does or does not occur.<sup>7</sup> Finally, while it is heartening that research forums are organised in the institutions affiliated with KEMU, in order the research is richer, the researchers’ skills in qualitative research methods should be built.</p></div>

Objectives By exploring the counseling experiences of master and doctoral students attending S Graduate School, this study aims to study the meaning of their counseling experiences, the development of counselors, and their counseling competence. Methods To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 masters and doctors enrolled in S graduate school to collect data from qualitative research methods. Data were collected using the consensus qualitative research (CQR) method, and then analyzed by applying the CQR technique developed by Hill. Various opinions and reactions of participants were induced through semi-structured interviews and open-ended questions, and objectivity was further strengthened by reflecting various perspectives in the data analysis and interpretation process through collaboration between the research team and external auditors. This approach contributed to increasing the reliability of the research results. Results As a result of analyzing the interview data collected from the study participants, four central areas were composed. And in order to construct the central area, first, 461 meaningful concepts were found, and 20 core concepts were derived by collecting meaningful concepts. And by classifying core concepts, 9 categories were derived. Therefore, it was analyzed that the study participants' willingness to solve problems was ahead of them while having a receptive mind to clients as a counselor's initial intention. And it turned out that they are beneficial counseling experiences to have a direction of listening, empathy, psychological questions, hypothesis setting, and counseling in the role of a counselor. As a result, they also experienced the development of counselor-specific expertise. However, this experience served as an opportunity to recognize the lack of counselor competency and the urgent need to be supplemented. Conclusions Participants in the study experienced using counseling techniques through beneficial experiences as counselors, and they also experienced the development of counselors along with their desire for counseling expertise. In order to become a professional counselor, it became an opportunity to recognize the importance and necessity of the counselor's experience and the counselor's competence, and it was an opportunity to receive useful experiences and stimulations in preparing the path of a professional counselor.

In the current era of artificial intelligence, large language models such as ChatGPT and BARD are being increasingly used for various applications, such as language translation, text generation, and human-like conversation. The fact that these models consist of large amounts of data, including many different opinions and perspectives, could introduce the possibility of a new qualitative research approach: Due to the probabilistic character of their answers, “interviewing” these large language models could give insights into public opinions in a way that otherwise only interviews with large groups of subjects could deliver. However, it is not yet clear if qualitative content analysis research methods can be applied to interviews with these models. Evaluating the applicability of qualitative research methods to interviews with large language models could foster our understanding of their abilities and limitations. In this paper, we examine the applicability of qualitative content analysis research methods to interviews with ChatGPT in English, ChatGPT in German, and BARD in English on the relevance of computer science in K-12 education, which was used as an exemplary topic. We found that the answers produced by these models strongly depended on the provided context, and the same model could produce heavily differing results for the same questions. From these results and the insights throughout the process, we formulated guidelines for conducting and analyzing interviews with large language models. Our findings suggest that qualitative content analysis research methods can indeed be applied to interviews with large language models, but with careful consideration of contextual factors that may affect the responses produced by these models. The guidelines we provide can aid researchers and practitioners in conducting more nuanced and insightful interviews with large language models. From an overall view of our results, we generally do not recommend using interviews with large language models for research purposes, due to their highly unpredictable results. However, we suggest using these models as exploration tools for gaining different perspectives on research topics and for testing interview guidelines before conducting real-world interviews.

Health Information Seeking Strategies among Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Background. The use of qualitative research (QR) methods is recommended as good practice in discrete choice experiments (DCEs). This study investigated the use and reporting of QR to inform the design and/or interpretation of healthcare-related DCEs and explored the perceived usefulness of such methods. Methods. DCEs were identified from a systematic search of the MEDLINE database. Studies were classified by the quantity of QR reported (none, basic, or extensive). Authors (n = 91) of papers reporting the use of QR were invited to complete an online survey eliciting their views about using the methods. Results. A total of 254 healthcare DCEs were included in the review; of these, 111 (44%) did not report using any qualitative methods; 114 (45%) reported “basic” information; and 29 (11%) reported or cited “extensive” use of qualitative methods. Studies reporting the use of qualitative methods used them to select attributes and/or levels (n = 95; 66%) and/or pilot the DCE survey (n = 26; 18%). Popular qualitative methods included focus groups (n = 63; 44%) and interviews (n = 109; 76%). Forty-four studies (31%) reported the analytical approach, with content (n = 10; 7%) and framework analysis (n = 5; 4%) most commonly reported. The survey identified that all responding authors (n = 50; 100%) found that qualitative methods added value to their DCE study, but many (n = 22; 44%) reported that journals were uninterested in the reporting of QR results. Conclusions. Despite recommendations that QR methods be used alongside DCEs, the use of QR methods is not consistently reported. The lack of reporting risks the inference that QR methods are of little use in DCE research, contradicting practitioners’ assessments. Explicit guidelines would enable more clarity and consistency in reporting, and journals should facilitate such reporting via online supplementary materials.

Qualitative research has gained greater attention in medical research, but it might seem to be unscientific because qualitative and quantitative research methods are grounded in different paradigm. In this article, we introduce three major qualitative research methods frequently used in studies of patient-doctor communications: 1) in-depth interviews; 2) focus group interviews; and, 3) semi-structured interviews. Each qualitative research method has different or common advantages and disadvantages, and which methods should be used depends on the study objectives. Qualitative research and quantitative research are complementary: while quantitative research explains the prevalence or variation of an issue, qualitative research explains the reasons or processes of that prevalence or variation. Combination of the two methods enables the gathering of more comprehensive and explanatory results.

This study aims to describe the understanding of geography literacy and student experience with landscape recognition observations using an ethnometodology perspective. The subject of this study was the chairman of each landscape recognition practice group student geography education program from University of Jember. The results of this study that geography literacy has a dimension of relevance to geographic skills in representing contextual phenomena and places from landscape recognition observation activities. The results of both observational studies provide research experience, motivation, critical and scientific thinking skills for students represented in the mapping of the area.
 Keywords: Geography Literacy, Student Experience, Ethnometodology
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Modern society receives a relatively big part of information using information communication devices. Information search possibilities are rapidly growing. On the other hand, the amount of information itself is expanding. One of the quickest ways of finding information is using internet search engines, e.g., “Google”, “Yahoo”, “AltaVista” and others. Their usage undoubtedly makes big influence on education. Pupils’ ability to find the necessary information is highly relevant. Thus, information search literacy is an inseparable component of general education. It is not enough only to find information, it is necessary to use it in the most effective way. Seeking to improve pupils’ information skills, it is necessary to know current position of an analysed question. The object of this research is information search using ICT. The aim of the research is to analyse how comprehensive school upper class students use ICT for information search. It has been ascertained by a research what additional information sources pupils use, where and how they get necessary literature, what information search engines and what electronic information sources they use most frequently. At least a few times per week apart from textbooks respondents use other literature as well (books, dictionaries, handbooks) for learning purposes. They use encyclopaedias very seldom or don’t use them at all. Pupils usually read books and newspapers which they have at home. They also use internet and library service; however, it is not popular to borrow books from friends or buy them. Pupils use internet daily both for leisure and learning. Girls more often than boys use internet for learning and for leisure – they use it equally. Respondents usually search information through Google search engine, less frequently – through Delfi. The other search engines and catalogues mentioned in the questionnaire are used very seldom, especially HotBot, Penki, On.lt and others. Both girls and boys, town and region pupils equally use search engines and catalogues. From electronic information sources respondents most frequently use internet encyclopaedia Wikipedia. Internet books and e magazines are read once a month on average, virtual library is scarcely used. It is absolutely not popular to use such sources as Nerandu.lt, tingiu.lt, Speros.lt. Key words: comprehensive school, electronic information sources, ICT, information search.

Search engines match user queries with webpages. Search efficiency, increases when data-driven network effects attract more users and generate economies of scale and scope in data aggregation. Network effects enhance user welfare but also trigger antitrust concerns because they may “tip” the market towards a single dominant search engine – Google Search. The EU Digital Markets Act imposes an obligation on very large gatekeepers search engines to share their user data with smaller search engines to facilitate market entry and competition. The available empirical literature on search engine efficiency shows that asymmetric data sharing, from larger to smaller search engines, may increase competition but reduce user welfare because it fragments the user data pool that is crucial for efficiency, in particular for rare queries. Tension between competition and user welfare can be overcome by symmetric and mutual data sharing between all search engines, irrespective of market share.

PurposeThe central purpose of the research presented in this paper is to synthesize the current state of the field in qualitative methods in international organizational change research and to provide a call to researchers to use this type of methodology more frequently. The intent is to provide readers with an overview of how and when qualitative research methods should be used for investigating important theoretical and empirical questions in management research.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed several working hypotheses based on their own experiences in using an extensive array of qualitative methods in organizational change research. They coupled this with an extensive literature search to understand how these methodologies have been used to date. The findings from the literature search were analysed to uncover where there are gaps in the work and how organizational change and other management scholars can effectively use qualitative methods to advance their understanding of international change phenomena, given the unique questions and situations confronted in various contexts. The authors include an array of examples to show how qualitative research has been used to successfully test theories, uncover new phenomena, find connections between various situations, and provide a deep understanding of contextual influences on organizational change.FindingsThe authors' findings include several examples and ideas of how and when scholars can use qualitative methods to advance understanding of international change phenomena. This provides a much richer, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of many of the phenomena and issues under investigation by employing the more observational and human‐centric techniques available through the use of qualitative methods. Several of the implications of context are only observable through some of the qualitative methods discussed, such as ethnography, case studies, interviews, observations, and their respective analysis methods. Qualitative research can be employed successfully and fruitfully in organization studies' contexts to: help uncover new organizational phenomena; build and test theories of change; and create new methods that researchers can use specifically in international change studies.Originality/valueThe paper is the only one of its kind, bringing a cohesive and focused review of qualitative methods studies in international organizational change research. It provides readers and the field with a menu of ways to effectively use qualitative methods and a description of where and how to bring in these methods to answer questions and uncover new themes that are not effectively dealt with through the use of more commonly employed quantitative methods and analyses.

Traditional discipline-specific training has limitations in facilitating inter-professional communication and collaboration. To address this issue, two local universities in Hong Kong launched an interprofessional team-based learning program to allow the undergraduate healthcare students to form teams and experience collaborative problem-solving. This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of nursing and physiotherapy undergraduates following interprofessional learning activities. Twenty-seven 3rd-year nursing and physiotherapy undergraduates were recruited through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and written feedback was solicited until data saturation was achieved. An inductive thematic analysis was used for the data, and each theme was mutually exclusive. The findings revealed the positive experiences of the students with this interprofessional learning activity. Three main themes emerged: (1) the process of interprofessional learning; (2) profession-related outcomes of interprofessional learning; and (3) patient-related outcomes of interprofessional learning. The study indicated that interprofessional team-based learning activities enhanced learning experiences of the students through interactive learning with other healthcare students. Experiences of relationships that are trustful and complementary allow students to develop confidence in knowledge transfer and in interprofessional collaboration, as well as in providing a holistic patient-centered care. These findings substantiate the importance and value of interprofessional learning in healthcare education.

Background: Objective of this study was to explore the lived experiences of mentees, or undergraduate medical students, in a mentorship program introduced at a public medical university in south Punjab. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological research design was employed from September 2023 to June 2024. 110 undergraduate students who were part of a purposive sample provided the data. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were carried out using an approved interview guide. The audio recordings of the interviews were appropriately transcribed. Because the data was sensitive, participants were assured of confidentiality and anonymity. After performing a manual thematic analysis, the authors agreed on the themes and subthemes. Results: Data analysis revealed four themes and ten subthemes. The psychosocial results of the mentorship program, including personal and professional growth and moral, psychological, and emotional support, were well-received by the participants mentees described mentors as their finest guides. Mentors also guided on Islam, case studies, and research methods. Mentors help mentees find solutions to their difficulties. The mentees made insightful recommendations on how to improve the current mentoring program. These included scheduling one-on-one mentoring sessions, offering career guidance, employing committed employees, and demanding verbal feedback from mentees assessing their mentors. Conclusions: The structured mentoring program was deemed satisfactory by the majority of mentees. Every medical student's personal and professional development is the main goal of mentoring. Mentees’ comments are helpful, but other ways to address personal or professional issues are needed.

The flow of international students to study in Australia increases each year. It is a challenge for students to study abroad in a different sociocultural environment, especially for postgraduate research students, as they experience numerous difficulties in an unfamiliar and vastly different study environment. A study aimed to investigate the experiences of international research students and how this impacted upon their studies at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). This study also provides insight and guidance regarding the experiences of current and future international research students in Australia and universities globally. It also offers to educational services and relevant government agencies a greater understanding on how to support international research students more effectively. Qualitative research methods were used to gain deeper insights about the issue. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants who were selected randomly from different faculties within the university. All collected data were analysed by Nvivo version 10. Constructivist grounded theory was the basis of qualitative data analysis. The findings indicate that there are five main areas of difficulty when international research students are studying in the Australian tertiary education context. These are; language barrier, time management, research resources, educational background and cultural background. The findings of the study provide guidelines and references for current and prospective international research students in the Australian university context.

Background Qualitative research has made great strides in recent years and it now makes an important contribution to our understanding of health and illness. But there are still many practitioners, academics and researchers who are totally bemused by its principles and practices. Content In the first of a series of three articles exploring qualitative research philosophies, methodologies and methods, I attempt to unravel some of its complexities and peculiarities, in the hope that those readers new to qualitative research will study it further and consider using it in the future. This article deals with broad questions of philosophy; most especially the fundamental difference between a quantitative and qualitative worldview. Conclusions This article explores the difference between a belief in a single objective reality and multiple realities, and relates these to quantitative and qualitative research methods. It also considers the role of theory, focusing on the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning. These concepts are the basis for the second article in the series on qualitative methodologies, to appear in the next issue.