April 9, 2026
Effectiveness of the Wise Infant Development® Software in the Acquisition of Knowledge about Infant Development among Nursing Students
About
Effectiveness of the Wise Infant Development® Software in the Acquisition of Knowledge about Infant Development among Nursing Students: a Randomized Clinical Trial
- PhD Student: Wesley Soares de Melo
- PhD Supervisor: Dr. Maria Vera L. M. Leitão Cardoso
Date & Time: April 9, 2026 @ 12-1pm PST
Venue: Gateway Health Building – Room 5228 (or via Zoom)
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Abstract:
Digital information and communication technologies are useful cognitive tools in the teaching-learning process. This research aims to verify the effectiveness of the educational software Wise Infant Development® in the acquisition of knowledge regarding infant development (physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains) among nursing undergraduate students. This study comprises a methodological design and a randomized controlled trial (RCT). In the first stage, functional performance and technical quality were evaluated by two groups of expert judges (information technology professionals and nurses with expertise in child health) using ISO/IEC 25010 international metrics (functional suitability, reliability, usability, performance efficiency, compatibility, security, maintainability, and portability). Subsequently, a usability pilot test was conducted with nursing undergraduate students using the System Usability Scale. The second stage (RCT), conducted in Universities in Ceará, Brazil, occurs in four phases: I (pre-test); Randomization into three arms (Group A: face-to-face lecture with PowerPoint; Group B: exclusive use of the software; Group C: face-to-face lecture + software); II (intervention); and III (post-test after 15 days). The sample size calculation defined a minimum of 21 students per group (63 per University). The null hypothesis (H0) assumes equal performance among the groups, while the alternative hypothesis (HA) predicts superiority with the use of the software. The dependent variable is the performance (correct/incorrect answers) between the pre- and post-test, associated with sociodemographic, academic, and technological independent variables. Data are analyzed using R software (p≤0.05), applying the Binomial test (judges) and the KolmogorovSmirnov test (normality in the RCT), followed by appropriate inferential tests. The research has ethical approval and is registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC). Preliminary results: The software met the requirement with an agreement among judges greater than 80%. In the pilot test, it achieved satisfactory usability with the highest possible rating. The final data from the clinical trial are being processed and analyzed.
Read full bios below:
Dr. Vera Cardoso
Dr. Vera Cardoso holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC); a Master's degree in Nursing and a Doctorate in Nursing, also from UFC. She completed a post-doctorate at University of Victoria - School of Nursing/Canada (2006-2007), postdoctoral/Visiting Professor at the School of Nursing University of British Columbia - UBC (2023-2026). She is a retired Full Professor of UFC and continues as a permanent professor in the Graduate Program in Nursing at the Federal University of Ceará (Master and PhD degree). She is a researcher of the Brazilian funding agency National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and has been coordinating grants focusing her subject area and internationalization of nursing science. She is the coordinator of the Neonate and Child Health Research Center (NUPESNEC) at UFC. Dr. Cardoso's research focuses on Neonatal Nursing, Pediatric and Maternal-Infant Nursing, Health Technologies, Infant Sleep, Intravenous Therapy, Newborn's pain, Child development, Breastfeeding, Covid-19, Clinical Simulation. She has developed studies using quantitative and methodological, psychometric studies, systematic reviews. She has published many papers in scientific journals with good impact factor. She has led research, publications, speeches and workshops on these topics working deeply with focus on internationalization of Nursing Science.
Wesley de Melo
Wesley Soares de Melo is a PhD Candidate in Nursing at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) and an International Visiting Student at the University of British Columbia (UBC), in Vancouver, Canada. He holds a Master’s degree in Nursing and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. University professor and nurse in the public health system of the State of Ceará, Brazil. He has professional experience in Stroke Units, Postoperative Intensive Care Units, Neonatal Intensive Care Units, and Primary Health Care. Conducts research in the fields of child health, child development, health promotion, and nursing technologies. Member of the Neonate and Child Health Research Center (NUPESNEC) at UFC.
Date & Time
Thu, April 9, 2026