NLINKS: Online Research and Web Site Development

Abstract

BACKGROUND The Network for Language in Nursing Knowledge Systems (NLINKS) was the product of a 1998 NANDA Board of Directors brainstorming session. As a project, it was approved by the membership at the NANDA conference in Orlando, Florida in 2000. It became an online reality in fall 2001, and a summary of its development was presented at the NNN 2002 conference in Chicago, IL. MAIN CONTENT POINTS NLINKS provides the infrastructure needed for Web development opportunities in the field of language development. At present, NLINKS consists of the following components: Information page, an “About NLINKS” page, a Concept Analysis Center, a Research Center, and a Membership/Donor page. While anyone is free to use the information provided on the site, a paid membership in NLINKS confers two privileges that are especially relevant to networking worldwide. NLINKS members may use the site to conduct online research, or use the domain name and infrastructure to develop a Special Interest Center. Research investigators may develop online surveys, diagnostic tests, online health promotion tools, as well as other applications for completion by visitors to the site or by subjects recruited by the investigators. Taxonomists, informaticists, international colleagues, and others may be interested in developing an NLINKS center for their own special interest purposes. The process from application through implementation is similar for researchers or special interest groups. It entails six steps: (a) designing a site map for the pages desired and accompanying business profile, (b) negotiating a price with NLINKS's coordinator and Web development firm, (c) submitting a research proposal with institutional review board approval if human research is to be conducted, (d) establishing formal contractual relationships among all parties, (e) raising funds or obtaining grant funds to cover the cost, and (f) constructing the research or special interest center pages with staff from the Web development firm. CONCLUSIONS Development and use continues as we strive to expand the site.