Email correspondence : a qualitative data collection tool for organisational researchers

This paper proposes a novel method for qualitative data collection in organisational research, that of email correspondence. This approach involves written communication between the researcher and each respondent, as a conversational dialogue is constructed. An overview of this method of engaging vvith respondents is provided. The author then discusses how email correspondence was used in two studies of middle managers, outlining both the benefits and challenges experienced. Lessons learned for future use of the method are also considered. Email correspondence proved a valuable tool in revealing respondents' workplace experiences, and this method provides opportunity for organisational researchers seeking to explore employees' personal reflections.

Function length as a tool for malware classification

The proliferation of malware is a serious threat to computer and information systems throughout the world. Antimalware companies are continually challenged to identify and counter new malware as it is released into the wild. In attempts to speed up this identification and response, many researchers have examined ways to efficiently automate classification of malware as it appears in the environment. In this paper, we present a fast, simple and scalable method of classifying Trojans based only on the lengths of their functions. Our results indicate that function length may play a significant role in classifying malware, and, combined with other features, may result in a fast, inexpensive and scalable method of malware classification.

Implementation of evidence into practice : Development of a tool to improve emergency nursing care of acute stroke

Background
Stroke is an increasing global health issue that places considerable burden on society and health care services. An important part of acute stroke management and decreasing stroke-related mortality is preventing complications within the first 24–48 hours. The current climate of prolonged time spent in the Emergency Department (ED) means that many aspects of stroke management are now the responsibility of emergency nurses.

Aims
The aims of this paper are to: i) examine the evidence related to nursing care of acute stroke, ii) identify evidence-based elements of stroke care with most applicability to emergency nursing and iii) use evidence-based stroke care recommendations to develop a guideline for the emergency nursing management of acute stroke.

Results
Emergency nursing care of acute stroke should focus on optimal triage decisions, physiological surveillance, fluid management, risk management, and early referral to specialists.

Conclusions
The role of emergency nurses in stroke care will increase and it is important that emergency nurses deliver evidence-based stroke care in order to optimise patient outcomes. Guidelines and decision support tools for use in emergency nursing must be practical and have high levels of clinical utility for maximum uptake in a busy clinical environment.

Design-related bias in hospital fall risk screening tool predictive accuracy evaluations: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Fall risk screening tools are frequently used as a part of falls prevention programs in hospitals. Design-related bias in evaluations of tool predictive accuracy could lead to overoptimistic results, which would then contribute to program failure in practice.

Methods: A systematic review was undertaken. Two blind reviewers assessed the methodology of relevant publications into a four-point classification system adapted from multiple sources. The association between study design classification and reported results was examined using linear regression with clustering based on screening tool and robust variance estimates with point estimates of Youden Index (= sensitivity + specificity - 1) as the dependent variable. Meta-analysis was then performed pooling data from prospective studies.

Results: Thirty-five publications met inclusion criteria, containing 51 evaluations of fall risk screening tools. Twenty evaluations were classified as retrospective validation evaluations, 11 as prospective (temporal) validation evaluations, and 20 as prospective (external) validation evaluations. Retrospective evaluations had significantly higher Youden Indices (point estimate [95% confidence interval]: 0.22 [0.11, 0.33]). Pooled Youden Indices from prospective evaluations demonstrated the STRATIFY, Morse Falls Scale, and nursing staff clinical judgment to have comparable accuracy.

Discussion: Practitioners should exercise caution in comparing validity of fall risk assessment tools where the evaluation has been limited to retrospective classifications of methodology. Heterogeneity between studies indicates that the Morse Falls Scale and STRATIFY may still be useful in particular settings, but that widespread adoption of either is unlikely to generate benefits significantly greater than that of nursing staff clinical judgment.