FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is some general background information?

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How is InspireNet funded?

InspireNet, an initiative to form a BC nursing health services research network is funded for four years (Nov 2009-Oct 2013) through the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) via its BC Nursing Research Initiative (BCNRI). This initiative received $8 million from government to support practice-relevant health services research related to the nursing workforce. The network’s MSFHR funding is $200K in years 1 & 2; $250K in years 3 & 4.

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What is Health Services Research (HSR)?

Health services research is the multidisciplinary field of scientific investigation that studies how social factors, financing systems, organizational structures and process, health technologies, and personal behaviors affect access to health care, the quality and cost of health care, and ultimately our health and well-being. Its research domains are individuals, families, organizations, institutions, communities, and populations

More information is available at the Learn More About Health Services Research Page.

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How does InspireNet fit in with other programs funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research?

InspireNet is one of the programs funded by MSFHR through the BC Nursing Research Initiative. These programs are described in detail at the MSFHR BCNRI webpage.

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I've heard the term 'NRF', or 'Nursing Research Facilitator'; what does it mean?

The NRF program is one of the programs funded by MSFHR through the BC Nursing Research Initiative. These programs are described in detail at the MSFHR BCNRI webpage.

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How is InspireNet organized?

Visit our About Us pages to learn about our organization including our Logic Model, Management Team, and Governance. InspireNet is supported by its host institutions, the Provincial Health Services Authority and the University of Victoria.

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How is the direction of InspireNet decided?

The Network is guided by the volunteer InspireNet Leadership Council who represent many areas of BC’s nursing communities and regions. We invite suggestions and feedback from our members - Contact Us!

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Who should become an InspireNet member?

Interested parties in university, health services, and community agencies concerned with health services research, including:

Institutionally-based researchers from all pillars and disciplines
Research trainees and students
Community-based researchers
Service providers, educators and managers working in the areas of health promotion, prevention and treatment with an interest in evidence-based practice
Policy makers, including local and regional health authority representatives and others interested in evidence-based policy and planning
Individuals at large with an interest in health services research

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What does membership cost?

Membership in InspireNet is free!

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Why should I become a member?

Membership is of interest to research trainees, new faculty, senior faculty wishing to augment their HSR capabilities, practitioners seeking research links, and research prepared nursing leaders in health authorities. Recognizing the BCNRI cross-cutting theme of ‘inter-professional approaches and teams’, the network will welcome a diverse range of researchers, clinicians and policy makers from various professions and disciplines who seek linkages and partnerships with nursing HS researchers. The network will proactively recruit members for teams and as members, positioning membership as valuable when members are actively involved. Health service research projects and leaders are highlighted in the InspireNet newsletter. Our full member benefits are listed at the What InspireNet Can Do For You page.

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How do I become a member?

Use the Join InspireNet link on our homepage and complete the webform (membership is free!). Your application will be approved shortly after you submit it at which time you will receive an automated welcome email.

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I’m a researcher. How can InspireNet assist me?

InspireNet can support your projects:

1. Become an InspireNet member (free!) so that your contact and project information is readily available through the searchable database, which will increase research capacity for those looking to connect with you around your interest area.
2. Use the InspireNet website to disseminate your project details/results; provide a report (if applicable) for inclusion in the InspireNet's Members' Database.
3. Consider establishing an InspireNet Action Team for a specific area in health services research.
4. Join an existing Action Team to participate on a team working in a specific area.
5. Explore ways to provide mentorship opportunities for graduate students/junior researchers and make that information available through InspireNet’s database.

See the Invitation to Researchers for details.

►To become a member (free!):

Click the Join InspireNet link and complete the webform.

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I’m a nursing student. How can InspireNet assist me?

1. Become an InspireNet member (free!) and connect with others that have your area of interest.
2. Use the InspireNet Members' Database to search for researchers, mentors and writers on your topic of interest.
3. Consider establishing an InspireNet Action Team for graduate students wanting to engage in health services research.
4. Join an existing Action Team to learn more about a specific area.
5. Review and share InspireNet's Backgrounder for Students.

See the full list of member benefits here.

►To become a member (free!):

Click the Join InspireNet link and complete the webform.

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I’m a nurse in practice. How can InspireNet assist me?

InspireNet is a place where you have access to information, researchers, and other nurses with interests in how nursing work is designed, delivered and evaluated.

1. Become an InspireNet member (free!) so that you have access to information housed in InspireNet's Members' Database.
2. Consider establishing an InspireNet Action Team for a specific area in health services research.
3. Join an existing Action Team to participate on a team working in a specific area.
4. Use electronic technologies to discuss bringing research findings into the practice setting.
5. Use your membership in InspireNet to develop capacity for health services research.

►To become a member (free!):

Click the Join InspireNet link and complete the webform.

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I'm a member; how do I do specific things?

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How can I find researchers working in a particular area in BC?

Members can login and check out InspireNet's Members' Database. From here you can find members who want to mentor, or who have jobs or volunteer opportunities for students. You can filter by city, to see who is nearby, or by institution, to see who is a member from where you work or study. Or you can filter on other database fields, like you can see who all the Nurse Practitioner members are. You can also search members' research projects and grey literature.

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How can I apply for funding, bursaries or scholarships from InspireNet?

InspireNet is not a funder, but provides networking infrastructure to bring together individuals and organizations both virtually and in person to grow new capacity. Funding opportunities are listed on InspireNet’s Find Funding page.

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What happens if I lose or forget my password?

Go to the Login page and click the Request new password tab. Enter the email address you use for your InspireNet user account* and click Email new password. Within a few minutes an email will be sent to your email address with your new password. From this you can click a link to directly login and change your temporary password to a more meaningful one.

*If you've forgotten which email address you use for InspireNet, which sometimes happens, you can enter your user name with capitals (your first name and last name, i.e. Mildred Pierce).

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I'm having technical difficulty with WebEx when trying to join a webinar: what should I do?

Visit our help document available online with step-by-step instructions.

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I'm interested in the Action Teams but don't see one that meets my needs; how do I start a new one?

Visit this page, which outlines details about how to apply to start a new nursing health services research-related Action Team.

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How can I share my research or project with others?

You can have it added to the InspireNet Members' Database. Or you can use InspireNet's Events calendar to find a conference to submit an abstract to. Or you can submit an abstract to present an e-Poster at InspireNet's annual fall conference (watch the InspireNet biweekly eNews for details each summer).

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How can I learn more about developing research skills?

Check out the vast resources on the website's Research Skills page, and check the webcasts and podcasts available on the Virtual Learning Opportunities page.

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How can I find nursing health services research related resources?

Check out the vast resources on the website's Resources page, and check the webcasts and podcasts available on the Virtual Learning Opportunities page.

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How can I best navigate the website?

To find content on the content-rich InspireNet website you can use the powerful search engine, which appears in the big green box near the top left of all webpages on our website ("Search this Site"). When logged in, your search includes InspireNet's database and content in your Action Teams' eCoPs.

Most people don't know about the Ctrl+F trick: if you enter a large webpage anywhere on the internet, you can find specific content by holding down the Ctrl button then pressing the F key (Command + F on a Mac). This will pop open a finder in your web browser where you can enter the word or term you're looking for. More about this is available in this article.

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I'm a member of an Action Team but I'm unsure about using my team's eCoP; how can I learn more?

We have an eCoP Tutorial online to assist you in how best to use your team's eCoP. It's available at the link at the top of the My Teams page, or here: http://www.inspirenet.ca/ecop_Tutorial.

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I want to watch webinars for my professional development — where can I find them?

Some Action Teams organize webinars which are then recorded and available for team members' review. A list of these is available on the home page: www.inspirenet.ca. Follow the instructions on the home page to join an Action Team and access their webinar recordings archive.

Webinars are also linked to external sources on our 'Find Conferences, Virtual Learning Opportunities and News' page. Here you can find conferences, podcasts (audio recordings) and webcasts.

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