Internet for Nursing Research: A Guide to Strategies, Skills, and Resources

AORN Journal, Nov, 2005 by Mary Murphy

Internet for Nursing Research: A Guide to Strategies, Skills, and Resources Joyce 3. Fitzpatrick and Kristen S. Montgomery, eds 2004, 256 pages $34.95 softcover

Conducting research on nursing topics via the Internet can be baffling for the uninitiated. Computer savvy nurses may find that this book provides them with the edge they need to present a sophisticated research product. For novice computer users, however, this may not be the manual for which they are hoping.

The book is a compilation of doctoral candidates' dissertations and theses. A wide variety of topics, such as information literacy as applied to the nursing profession and obtaining grants for Internet-based research projects, are explored. Loosely related areas of interest include hardware and software options. The book is organized into three parts: accessing information online, conducting research online, and teaching research online. Two helpful appendices provide valuable information on qualitative research and electronic textbooks for research.

Grasping the content and style of the various authors presenting a broad range of factual information can be challenging. Many topics are interesting but complex and laden with detail. This book would be most useful for nurses who possess substantial computer skills and knowledge but desire to take their skills to a higher level. It would also be helpful for doctoral and master's-degree candidates who want to study how other successful dissertations and theses have been presented.

The burgeoning applications of computer use can only enhance the nursing profession. Sorting it all out is a challenge facing today's RNs.

This book is available from Springer Publishing Company, Inc, 11 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036.

MARY MURPHY

RN, BA

RN CIRCULATOR

ALVARADO MEDICAL CENTER

SAN DIEGO