The ‘bleeding edge’ of knowledge is knowledge so fresh that the ‘wounds’ of development still haven’t healed.
Knowledge creation in cyber space is fascinating – the online environment allows for knowledge creation on a much wider global scale and much faster than previously possible. The mushrooming of free online journals in nursing is a clear example.
Another prime example is Wikipedia, a concept that originated in Florida USA in 2001 and which provides the world’s first free-content, collaboratively-built encyclopedia in over 50 languages. The last time I wrote about Wikipedia back in 2004 there were 374,978 English entries and this September there are 3,749,558! The overall total now stands at 19 million entries in 270 languages.
Readers can edit all Wikipedia articles and the internet world’s collective wisdom has uniquely captured human knowledge. There are clear guidelines for new editors but limited moderation. Wiki is thought to be an abbreviation for wikiwiki, a Hawaiian word meaning fast or quick, and the site does provide fast access to changing knowledge.
Recent research suggests that Wikipedia is used by many students as a jumping-off point, and I’ve used it this way myself. But you have to keep in mind that because Wikipedia entries are constantly edited you cannot guarantee Wikipedia reference material will still be there in the future, so other sources are essential for robust referencing. Wikipedia remains a very interesting concept and well worth exploring – add your own ‘knowing’ while you are there!
You can also take the concept a step further and create your own ‘wiki’ to share knowledge and develop new understanding with a group of like-minded nurses – and it is free. Check out wikispaces at www.wikispaces.com and also view the YouTube clips on how to get started.
Finding the newest knowledge that exists on the world-wide web requires a search engine. Regardless of whether you are a digital native (a term coined by Marc Prensky to describe the generation who’ve grown up with digital technology) or a digital immigrant, you will have heard of Google – the search engine that gained its name from a simple spelling mistake. (According to Wikipedia, the original name was intended to be ‘googol’ or 10100.)
However, merely leaping into the vast pool of information on the net does not create a more informed researcher. It can result in “info-glut” and “data smog” (terms coined by media scholar David Shenk). It’s necessary to develop the skills required to use that information effectively, namely information literacy.
I would again recommend Google Scholar to all those researching or studying. You can search for scholarly articles about specific topics and also see how often others cite the articles. The site allows you to search two ways for either the most relevant articles or the most recent; which is a bonus for those of us looking for the ‘bleeding edge’ of knowledge creation! Check out Google Scholar at http://scholar.google.com
Google Labs also give an indication of additional services under development – internet aficionados (you know who you are) can investigate further at http://labs.google.com
Nursing Ideas
This Canadian website was created in 2008 by Robert Fraser, then a senior nursing student at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The site has attracted more than 28,000 visitors from 110 countries. On average, the site has nearly 2000 visitors each month. A recent article in reflections on nursing leadership, www.reflectionsonnursingleadership.org/Pages/Vol37_1_Palmer_websites.aspx describes the website’s impact as an international conduit for nursing to share ideas and solutions. Technology is a particular focus with ‘apps’ developed for nurses by nurses spotlighted on the site. There are video interviews freely available with nursing leaders such as Dr Jean Watson through NursingIdeas.tv (Site accessed on 26 September and last updated 20 September 2011.)
Sigma Theta Tau International, Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library
www.nursinglibrary.org/portal/main.aspx
Speaking about the “bleeding edge of knowledge”… this repository from Sigma Theta Tau International has the stated aim of providing nurses globally with online access to reliable nursing information that can be easily utilised and shared. The ultimate goal is to make the library one of the most comprehensive resources for nursing information available.
Through the library’s complementary Registry of
Nursing Research database, individuals can search study abstracts and conference abstracts. Primary investigators can be contacted to find out how to obtain full-text versions of their study. The library is operating within an improved environment, making it much easier to retrieve specific research information and for researchers to post up-to-date research findings. The library features a streamlined submission form that reduces the time needed to post research and includes contact information to connect with other nurses with similar research interests. So you can both seek knowledge and contribute your own knowledge through this website – check out other links to the STTI’s work. (Site accessed on 26 September and last updated 20 September 2011.)
