Institutional Constraints
2017
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There are many lessons to be learned in conducting research, most of which are those learned outside the classroom. The purpose of this case study is to describe unexpected constraints in conducting a research study as part of a post-doctoral fellowship. The goal of the fellowship was to conduct a multi-site study utilizing quantitative methods to examine veterans end-of-life preferences for artificial nutrition and whether those preferences were honored in the last few months of the veterans lives. This is a descriptive account of the constraints that occurred during the study. Numerous delays occurred from the beginning of the project causing several changes in direction. The original proposal involved a multi-site study in which much of the data would be collected as a secondary analysis with only a few pieces added to this existing and ongoing parent project. When this project was no longer feasible, a quick change of direction was necessary, which may have set the stage for the subsequent difficulties. The following lessons were learned as a result of the experience: (a) explore the institutional culture and choose sites carefully, (b) take time to hire known entities, (c) exercise flexibility and adaptability in conducting research, (d) aim for goals, (e) remain highly organized, and (f) constructively utilize time to accomplish other goals.
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