Can we prioritise which databases to search? A case study using a systematic review of frozen shoulder management

Background

Systematic reviews risk producing biased conclusions if a comprehensive search to identify eligible studies is not undertaken, but little evidence exists to guide prioritisation of databases to search when resources are limited.

Objectives

A systematic review examining interventions for managing frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) was used to investigate the performance of bibliographic databases in identifying the included studies, the smallest combination of databases required to retrieve all included studies, and the performance of the searches themselves.

Methods

We calculated the yield of included studies from each of 15 databases, and the recall and precision of each search strategy. We investigated differences between the presence of a record in a database and its retrieval.

Results

Thirty of 31 studies were present in at least one database. Yields of individual databases ranged from 0% to 90% (median 23%). Two combinations of databases identified all 30 studies: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Science Citation Index (SCI); or CENTRAL, MEDLINE and PreMEDLINE.

Conclusions

In a systematic review of a range of interventions used to manage frozen shoulder, at least two databases and reference checking were required to retrieve all included studies, but searching for future reviews should not be restricted.     

No Escape: Culture and Economics in the Present

This essay suggests that cultural studies, media studies and communications need to focus on the changes and challenges associated with this particular historical conjuncture, and re-assess the kinds of analysis that can most fruitfully contribute to this critical project. This requires rethinking some conventional assumptions about everyday life, media texts and communications technologies so that a more nuanced understanding of the imbrication between culture, labour and economy in the present moment may be developed.     

Designing the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Nursing

This column documents the rationale for creating information literacy competency standards for nursing based on the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) “Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education” and the three documents from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) on essential skills for nurses in baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level education and practice. It chronicles the process of the task force which is designing the discipline specific skills and predicts the value of their use, once they are published.     

The Silent Game: A Critical Reading of the History of Netball in Australia

Abstract

Netball is commonly cited as being the national game for females in Australia. Yet the game’s popularity is not reflected in the field of sport history in the breadth or depth of analysis compared to other sports. There are only two major published academic articles pertaining to the origins and development of netball in Australia. In this paper, these articles are critically analyzed. The analysis reveals gaps, limitations, and inconsistencies in the history of netball in Australia. Despite what is said to be known about the history and historical significance of netball in Australia, many important questions remain.     

The research grant application process. Learning from failure?

Increasing competition for federal government research funds has resulted in a large number of good projects not being funded. This situation is unlikely to change in the near future and has generated uncertainty and frustration amongst many who are dependent on external funding for their research. In this context it is particularly important that the aims of federal government funding agencies are communicated effectively and that the procedures they establish to allocate research funds are seen as credible by the academic research community. This article reports the results of a survey which investigated the research grant process from the point of view of unsuccessful applicants from four universities for large 1991 initial Australian Research Council grants. The findings identify a number of limitations in the operations of the peer review mechanism as used by this Council and question the adequacy of the advice and instructions provided by the ARC to those nominated to review research proposals. The findings also raise questions concerning how the lists of external assessors are compiled as well as how these external assessors are later matched with individual applications.     

Benefits adults experience through participation in continuing higher education

A cross-sectional study of McGill management certificate students investigated the benefits adults experience through continuing education. Four groups totalling 1,234 students were surveyed: entrants, graduates, alumni, and a group who had voluntarily withdrawn. Analysis of benefits anticipated by entrants provided a framework of six categories of benefits: career development, fulfilling external requirements, personal development, networking, gaining knowledge and personal fulfilment. The benefits reported by graduates match the goals of entrants, but the relative importance of the various benefits appears to change during the program. For entrants, career development ranks first as the primary motivation, while more of the graduates focus on personal development, and personal fulfilment. Both entrants and graduates emphasize the importance of gaining knowledge. The results were interpreted in terms of the empowerment provided by continuing education.Interesting differences by various student characteristics were explored. Although equally satisfied with the program's contribution to career development, women report slower advancement than men. Further differences by gender are that women experience more personal development and personal fulfilment. While there are no significant differences by age, students with no prior university education report higher gains in several areas. Knowledge gained, however, is highly valued regardless of prior education. It is those with several years of work experience and those who are most certain of their goals who report acquiring more knowledge than others. These findings have implications for admissions policy, program delivery and design, and support services.     

Transitions in Leisure Careers and Their Parallels in Work Careers: The Effect of Constraints on Choice and Action

Careers are increasingly characterized by multiple jobs and employers, and thus the issue of transitions between career components and through career stages is of greater importance than in the past. Transitions have also been extensively studied in the context of serious leisure. This paper uses findings from the literature on serious leisure and leisure constraints to develop propositions about the role of transitions in work careers and the effects that constraints have on transitions.