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About NLINKS Contributors ->Contacts
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About NLINKS
LINKS is an acronym that stands for Language in Nursing Knowledge Systems. The "N" preceding LINKS stands for Nursing, a term that distinguishes this Internet domain from others as well as a term that in itself signifies inclusiveness, one of the basic assumptions underlying this site. This means it is open to all: individual clinicians as well language developers, groups or associations, informaticists, university research teams, and educators. The other assumptions underlying NLINKS are that it is: · A partnership · A virtual organization: an Internet-based, online service · A collaborative not competitive network · International in scope · Supported by its members History of NLINKS (1998-2001) The idea of NLINKS originated in a November 1998 NANDA Board Meeting and met with membership approval at the NANDA 2000 Conference. The idea is relatively simple. Through its Research Center and its Concept Analysis Centers, NLINKS aims at building teams of researchers and analysts in the development and application of standardized nursing language within the international nursing and health care communities. As long as other individuals or teams or groups can support the cost involved, they may partner with NLINKS to design and implement their own online research studies, using the resources of the Research Center;or to create new online Centers (e.g., an InformaticsCenter, Standards Center, Taxonomy Center, Language Developers Center, Nursing Knowledge Center). Between April 2000 and July 2001, LINKS grew from an idea to reality through the generous donations of contributors and through an award from the Beaumont Faculty Development Fund of Saint Louis University. Through this award, faculty from four universities in the United States and the United Kingdom are taking the first steps in the development of an online, peer-reviewed annotated bibliography, using methods adapted from the Cochrane Center. The first topic to be researched deals with sleep deprivation and disturbed sleep patternts. Under the aegis of the NANDA Diagnosis and Extension Center at the University of Iowa, a research arm of NANDA, another group of international researchers are writing a proposal for submission to the National Library of Medicine. If funded, this grant will support the development of NLINKS Concept Analysis Center. For information on how you or your group may participate morefully in NLINKS, see the membership & donations page. |
