Introduction
Information is a valuable and powerful resource that needs to be used, explored, and managed appropriately. In order to find the most relevant information and apply it effectively, one has to be able to process and interpret it accurately. In that way, the process of working with information is complex and consists of several levels and aspects. In particular, in this paper, such aspects will be discussed using a specific research question. The aforementioned components of the research process are referred to as the data/ information/ knowledge/ wisdom (DIKW) continuum. At each of these stages, a certain set of research-related activities need to be carried out. The four aspects are interconnected and present an ongoing flow that results in the acquisition of valuable knowledge.
Topic Overview
The research question selected for this project is the following: does frequent turning and positioning prevent the development of decubitus ulcers in bedridden patients? Just like most other clinical questions, this one can be researched for the purpose of collecting data, processing the identified information, receiving knowledge, and then applying it in the form of wisdom (ANA, 2015; McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). DIKW continuum does not only apply to the field of nursing informatics but also is essential to nursing practice in general, including all of its aspects (Matney, Brewster, Sward, Cloyes, & Staggers, 2011).
When it comes to the identified clinical question, the information that is known currently is that frequent turning and positioning is a method of preventing decubitus ulcers. However, the components that are not known include data – the quantitative statistics indicating the effectiveness of this method, and the collective knowledge of researchers using each other’s works to replicate, retest, and improve results. Using the DIKW continuum, I would approach the question according to the following plan:
- Collecting data via available databases
- Interpreting and summarizing the gathered information
- Understanding and integrating the received knowledge
- Seeing how it can be applied in my professional settings
Database Search
Walden Library provides a broad range of databases that can be used for scholarly research and data collection. Of them, about 19 databases are suitable for searching information on nursing topics and issues. Having looked through the available databases, I found several that can potentially serve as helpful and rich sources of information. These databases include Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Ovid, and ProQuest. Further, I anticipate that the use of keywords in each of these databases will result in a huge variety of available articles.
In order to sort through the literature and select only the most relevant studies, I would have to establish a set of sorting criteria. This activity can be referred to as organizing – a process that links the first and the second stages of research – data and information. In addition to topic relevance, I would require another important inclusion criteria – the publication date. In order to access only the most relevant evidence, I will establish a 5-year threshold for the selected literature.
Information Processing
As specified by Bernstein (n.d.), it is wrong to perceive the four components of the DIKW continuum as a hierarchy or a model of the development of knowledge. Even though the complexity of the components gradually increases, they stand as equal aspects. Denholm (2016) noted that the continuum has to be used for stronger data interpretation, integration, transition in care, and the engagement of practitioners, patients, and their families.
As a component of the continuum, information can be understood as a combination of data and meaning (Topaz, 2013). In order to find the relevant information in the articles, I would first read abstracts and find out whether or not the article is suitable for the project. Further, when a substantial number of studies is selected, I would create a table to put it valuable information. For that, I will use quantitative statistics as presented in studies, methods implemented to achieve the results, and a separate note analyzing sample size and reliability of the information.
Based on this table, I would be able to see how many studies found turning and positioning useful for the prevention of decubitus ulcers. I would compare the numbers of studies with positive and negative results, their reliability based on the sample size, replicability, and methods identified as the most effective. Finally, I will summarize my findings based on this research so that the acquired knowledge could be transferred to the clinical settings in my professional area.
Gaining Wisdom
In order to move from having the knowledge to developing wisdom, it is necessary to create ways to apply the knowledge for the generation of practical benefits (Topaz, 2013). For that, decisions need to be made concerning the use of the collected information transformed into knowledge. An additional piece of data needs to be collected from my organization indicating the prevalence of decubitus ulcers in our units. Using the acquired knowledge, it would be possible to make predictions about the potential improvements the application of turning and positioning of bedridden patients can bring in my facility. Based on this project, decisions can be made whether or not the selected intervention should be employed and to which extent.
As a result, it is possible to state that informatics can and should be used to gain wisdom. The benefits of the use of informatics include instant access to a large base of data that can be collected for the acquisition and processing of relevant information and the formulation of professional knowledge supported by evidence produced by many practitioners and researchers. Consequently, it is important to rely on informatics and the sources of data, but the information found using NI should go through the other components of the continuum in order to be transformed into wisdom.
Summary
The question developed for this project revolves around the effectiveness of turning and positioning as methods helping to prevent the development of decubitus ulcers in bedridden patients. To conduct research and apply the DIKW framework, it is necessary to search for the relevant data in research studies, interpret it to receive quality information, organize the findings to acquire knowledge, and think of ways to apply the obtained knowledge in practice to generate wisdom. This way, the question would enter the flow of the DIKW continuum and result in the acquisition of valuable evidence-based knowledge applicable in clinical settings.
Conclusion
The DIKW framework is a complex continuum where the four elements (data, information, knowledge, and wisdom) create an ongoing flow helping to generate practical results using data from the literature. This continuum applies throughout the nursing practice and combines all of its essential elements. Nursing informatics power the DIKW framework helping to work faster and generate wisdom based on a large pool of data accessed electronically via medical and nursing databases.
References
American Nurses Association [ANA]. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope & standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Springs, MD: American Nurses Association.
Bernstein, J. H. (n.d.). The Data-information-knowledge-wisdom hierarchy and its antithesis. Web.
Denholm, B. G. (2016). Using informatics to improve the care of patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia. AORN Journal, 103(4), 364-379.
Matney, S., Brewster, P. J., Sward, K. A., Cloyes, K. G., & Staggers, N. (2011). Philosophical approaches to the nursing informatics data-information-knowledge-wisdom framework. Advances in Nursing Science, 34(1), 6–18.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Topaz, M. (2013). Invited editorial: The hitchhiker’s guide to nursing informatics theory: Using the data-knowledge-information-wisdom framework to guide informatics research. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics (OJNI), 17(3), 1-3.