It is apparent that nursing knowledge is complicated to define, as its characteristics are rather sophisticated and complex. Moreover, it might seem that Google search engine and online library databases provide different kind of information regarding the same matter. It might be assumed that the online scholarly databases have a tendency to focus on scientific and accepted sources of information, as usage of insufficient data during the studies might lead to the misunderstanding of vital concepts in nursing. In turn, various search engines, such as Google, provide simplified data, as not all of the users have a thorough knowledge of the subject.
A primary goal of the paper is to compare the information found in Google with the one acquired with the help of the online library databases. It will help reveal whether the search engine is able to provide sufficient information about the desired matter or the findings remain limited. Finally, this paper will contribute to understanding whether Google can be used a possible source of information while doing the assignments.
Definition of Nursing Knowledge
Firstly, the definition of the nursing knowledge provided in both sources has to be compared, as it is a vital element, which contributes to the general understanding of the phenomenon. ‘Definition of nursing knowledge’ were the keywords, which were used in the both sources. Defining the Nursing Knowledge is the first source, which appears in the Google search, and provides the general information about the nursing knowledge (Hall, 2005). Nonetheless, the article is scientific and even covers the issues related to the nursing knowledge identification. Moreover, Google provides links to the articles, which might be partly related to the initial topic. Furthermore, it provides the chapter from the book Professional Nursing Concept by Anita Finkelman and Kenner. It could be said that this chapter covers a particular area of knowledge required for the nursing practices, and the text is easy to comprehend (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013).
In turn, the online database, such as ProQuest provides accurate studies regarding the ‘definition of nursing knowledge’. For instance, the first, article is Said Another Way: My Definition of Nursing by Wilson, which provides the understanding of the primary concepts of nursing and a complexity of the phenomenon (Wilson, 2005). Other articles presented in the search involve the qualitative and quantitative research regarding the particular cases of the matter. It is apparent that searching in the ProQuest database will be beneficial from the educational perspective, as it focuses on individual case studies and scientific articles regarding the topic. In turn, Google will be the best option if only the general understanding of the term is required.
Knowledge of Management in Nursing
‘Knowledge of management in nursing’ is another topic chosen for results’ comparison. In this scenario, Google provides information regarding the knowledge management. For example, the article Information Technology and the Clinical Nurse Specialist: Knowledge Management and the Clinical Nurse Specialist by Barton provides the information about the knowledge management in the context of nursing and discusses primary features of this discipline (Barton, 2009). It could be said that in this case, the article is rather scientific and has a high educational value.
In turn, to find relevant information in ProQuest database it was essential to adjust the keyword to ‘management in nursing’ since, otherwise, it was not able to provide the relevant research results. Nonetheless, the results remained scientific, and a majority of them included scholarly articles. One of them is Crisis Management Policies and Programs to Prevent Nursing-Related Medical Disputes in Taiwanese Hospitals by Tzeng, which pays particular attention to the crisis management, and it is limited to geographical location, Taiwan (Tzeng, 2005). In the end, it could be said that both of the sources of information provide scientific data, which has a direct relation to the chosen topic. However, a primary difference lays in the fact that ProQuest offers specialized and narrow articles. In turn, despite being initially scientific Google’s findings still remain general and broaden.
Nursing Roles
In this case, Google research provides rather general information regarding the typical nursing roles. The first link, which is presented in Google search, provides general information about the primary understanding of the duties of a nurse (2015). It is apparent that the website Study.com is rather straightforward, as it offers videos to describe the responsibilities of a nurse. Furthermore, other links presented in the Google related to this topic are also rather simple to understand.
In turn, ProQuest provides scientific articles related to particular cases and research studies. For instance, the article Saskatchewan Public Health Nursing Survey: Perceptions of Roles and Activities by Schoenfeld and Macdonald pays significant attention to the understandings of the primary duties and activities of the nurse (Schoenfeld & Macdonald, 2002). Nonetheless, it does not describe the roles but analyze the perceptions of them. It is apparent that compared to the information in Google, this kind of sources remains limited to a particular area.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it could be said that a primary difference lays in the focus on data. ProQuest focuses on scientific articles and narrow topics. In turn, Google provides general information about the subject. It could be said that Google can be used to get a general idea about the matter, and then, ProQuest can be used to narrow the topic with the specific examples. In the end, it seems that it is hard to find relevant and applicable knowledge in ‘the digital library haystack’.
References
Barton, A. (2009). Information technology and the clinical nurse specialist: Knowledge management and the clinical nurse specialist. Clinical Nurse Specialist: The Journal of Advanced Nursing Practice 23, 123-124. Web.
Finkelman, A., & Kenner, C. (2013). Professional nursing concepts. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Hall, A. (2005). Defining nursing knowledge. Nursing Knowledge, 101(48), 34-37. Web.
Schoenfeld, B., & Macdonald, M. (2002). Saskatchewan public health nursing survey: Perceptions of roles and activities. Canadian Journal of Public Health 93(6), 452-456. Web.
Study.com: Roles and functions of a nurse. (2015). Web.
Tzeng, H. (2005). Crisis management policies and programs to prevent nursing-related medical disputes in Taiwanese hospitals. Nursing Economic 23(5), 239-247. Web.
Wilson, C. (2005). Said another way: My definition of nursing. Nursing Forum 40(3), 116-188. Web.