Research Methods Books

Thoroughly updated, the 5th edition of CLINICAL RESEARCH IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY enables the graduate student and clinical researcher to design and carry out a research study from the formulation of a research hypothesis to collecting data utilizing user friendly step-by-step procedures.

Conducting Health Outcomes Research brings together the practical, actionable information needed to conduct research on health outcomes, with the goal of measuring the quality of the care being delivered. The book details the methodology for performing successful research in this growing field: from formulating models, choosing study design, measuring and gathering data to assessing and presenting results.

Clearly written yet technically sophisticated, this practical volume introduces the reader to the broad range of information and procedures which are essential for undertaking effective needs assessments. The book is unique in addressing technical subjects - including sample size requirements and statistical analyses - in an accessible style, and in its coverage of working with culturally diverse populations. Each chapter contains a wealth of examples and problem-solving exercises drawn from a variety of public and private human and health services agencies.

This revised and updated edition is an indespensable resource for health researchers. It draws on the most current findings in survey design, marketing research, health services research, and cognitive psychology to provide comprehensive guidance on designing and conducting health surveys. Special emphasis is placed on the complexities of the ever-changing health care environment.

What is the relationship between health, human nature, and human needs? The impact of social change on communities? The processes by which communities confront and overcome their health problems? How do we study these health questions in new communities and become advocates for change? These are critical questions in confronting the social causes of ill health, yet many health students do not have the appropriate training in the anthropological methods and techniques that help answer them.

Provides immediate help for anyone preparing a biomedical paper by givin specific advice on organizing the components of the paper, effective writing techniques, writing an effective results sections, documentation issues, sentence structure and much more. The new edition includes new examples from the current literature including many involving molecular biology, expanded exercises at the end of the book, revised explanations on linking key terms, transition clauses, uses of subheads, and emphases.

6 Volume Set:
1. The Focus Group Guidebook
2. Planning Focus Groups
3. Developing Questions for Focus Groups
4. Moderating Focus Groups
5. Involving Community Members in Focus Groups
6. Analyzing and Reporting Focus Group Results

This volume provides practical advice on setting up and running focus groups and covers the entire process from designing a project to reporting the results.

Foundations of Clinical Research: Applications to Practice, 3/e provides the foundations that are necessary for finding and interpreting research evidence across all healthcare professions. This book has been revised to reflect the most current changes in the field of clinical research in rehabilitation and medicine, including the growing emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP) that has become central to all of health care and the new vocabulary that is being integrated into research and practice across disciplines.

In textbooks and courses in statistics, substantive and measurement issues are rarely, if at all, considered. Similarly, textbooks and courses in measurement virtually ignore design and analytic questions, and research design textbooks and courses pay little attention to analytic and measurement issues. This fragmentary approach fosters a lack of appreciation of the interrelations and interdependencies among the various aspects of the research endeavor. Pedhazur and Schmelkin's goal is to help readers become proficient in these aspects of research and their interrelationships, and to use that information in a more integrated manner.

This book provides a compendium of patient teaching tools for use in all areas of health care practice. They can be used for: assessment of patient's educational needs, evaluation of effectiveness of patient teaching, tracking effectiveness of patient care, and improving quality of care by using outcomes to improve interventions.

Not just a set of cookbook recipes, Principles of Medical Statistics is designed to get you thinking about data and statistical procedures. It covers many new statistical methods and approaches like box plots, stem and leaf plots, concepts of stability, the bootstrap, and the jackknife methods of resampling.

John W. Creswell explores the philosophical underpinnings, history, and key elements of each of five qualitative inquiry traditions: narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study. In his signature accessible writing style, the author relates research designs to each of the traditions of inquiry. He compares theoretical frameworks, ways to employ standards of quality, and strategies for writing introductions to studies, collecting data, analyzing data, writing a narrative, and verifying results.

The Third Edition of this bestselling title is packed full of real-world advice for researchers and students. It is an invaluable introduction to the theoretical and practical essentials needed to design, conduct and appraise qualitative research in health. The book highlights core research skills, taking the reader through the key debates in qualitative methodology.

The second edition of Researching Health covers everything that a student or new researcher will need when starting to conduct their own research in a range of healthcare settings. The chapters guide the reader through each specific qualitative, quantitative and mixed method, and show how these work in practice.

Scientific literacy is the foundation to comprehending research methodology -- in its absence, medical professionals will practice "unethically" by failing to offer premier service to their communities. This text will discuss the fundamentals of statistical methods, including statistical vocabulary, population parameters, sampling methods and descriptive methods like measures, correlation and regression. Also, the topic of probability is emphasized, seeing that in order for any clinician to generate a precise diagnosis, a firm grasp of the probablilistic approach is critical.

Over the past two decades, survey research has evolved significantly. Survey Methodology describes the basic principles of survey design discovered in methodological research over recent years and offers guidance for making successful decisions in the design and execution of high quality surveys. Written by six nationally recognized experts in the field, this book covers the major considerations in designing and conducting a sample survey.

Practical and easy to use, Conducting Successful Focus Groups gives you the practical guidance to do focus groups using little more than staff or volunteer time and the cost of refreshments. In ten easy-to-follow steps, you'll learn how to plan and conduct focus groups and, most importantly, how to put the results into action.

While a questionnaire is often the best method of collecting data for a programme evaluation or needs assessment, novice researchers seldom have experience in questionnaire construction. With this in mind, the author of this book has created a model for readers to follow which will guide them through the seven stages of questionnaire development.

"This kit will provide the reader with a systematic and readable approach to the design, implementation, and analysis of focus group data. The material is presented to help the novice learn how to actually conduct a focus group while at the same time enables those more experienced with focus groups to check their own performance against best practice. These materials will be the benchmark against which the practice of focus groups should be judged."--Ray C. Rist, The World Bank, Washington, DC

This volume provides practical advice on setting up and running focus groups and covers the entire process from designing a project to reporting the results.

Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods is a practical, comprehensive guide to the collection and presentation of qualitative data. Unique in the market, this book describes the entire research process -- from design through writing -- illustrated by examples of real, complete qualitative work that clearly demonstrates how methods are used in actual practice.

In this Third Edition of his bestselling text John W. Creswell explores the philosophical underpinnings, history, and key elements of each of five qualitative inquiry traditions: narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study. In his signature accessible writing style, the author relates research designs to each of the traditions of inquiry. He compares theoretical frameworks, ways to employ standards of quality, and strategies for writing introductions to studies, collecting data, analyzing data, writing a narrative, and verifying results.

The Third Edition of this bestselling title is packed full of real-world advice for researchers and students. It is an invaluable introduction to the theoretical and practical essentials needed to design, conduct and appraise qualitative research in health. The book highlights core research skills, taking the reader through the key debates in qualitative methodology.

This book provides invaluable guidance for thinking through and planning a qualitative study. Rather than offering recipes for specific techniques, master storyteller Robert Stake stimulates readers to discover "how things work" in organizations, programs, communities, and other systems. Topics range from identifying a research question to selecting methods, gathering data, interpreting and analyzing the results, and producing a well-thought-through written report.

Designing Clinical Research has been extensively revised and continues to set the standard as a practical guide for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals involved in all forms of clinical, translational, and public health research. It presents advanced epidemiological concepts in a reader-friendly way, and suggests common sense approaches to the challenging judgments involved in designing, funding, and implementing.

Conceptual descriptions of analytic procedures used in EBP as well as tables that demonstrate simple calculations Algorithm for choosing a statistical procedure based on a study's design Diagrams that help students understand experimental and observational design variations Guidelines for critical appraisal of various types of studies Focus on sensitivity/specificity and likelihood ratios, number needed to treat, and measuring clinically meaningful change Special features that illustrate how research applies to practice, including, "Case-in Point," "Fun Facts," "Historical Notes," and end-of-chapter 'take-away' commentaries from the author

Research is an integral component of any undergraduate healthcare course, and is also vital for continuing professional development (CPD). This book is an invaluable guide for students and practitioners who need to acquire a wide range of relevant skills, and it will equip them not only to assess the quality of published studies and apply findings to clinical practice, but also to undertake research themselves.

Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods is a practical, comprehensive guide to the collection and presentation of qualitative data. Unique in the market, this book describes the entire research process -- from design through writing -- illustrated by examples of real, complete qualitative work that clearly demonstrates how methods are used in actual practice.

This book provides invaluable guidance for thinking through and planning a qualitative study. Rather than offering recipes for specific techniques, master storyteller Robert Stake stimulates readers to discover "how things work" in organizations, programs, communities, and other systems. Topics range from identifying a research question to selecting methods, gathering data, interpreting and analyzing the results, and producing a well-thought-through written report.

This book is a detailed and comprehensive guide to undertaking quantitative health research at postgraduate and professional level. It takes you through the entire research process, from designing the project to presenting the results and will help you execute high quality quantitative research that improves and informs clinical practice.

This text, edited by a well respected team at TCD, addresses the need for a book covering the practicalities of doing quantitative research as part of professional practice, in a field where many texts either cover qualitative and quantitative research together or focus on qualitative methods.

Quantitative Research Methods for Health Professionals: A Practical Interactive Course is a superb introduction to epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methodology for the whole health care community.

This user-friendly book provides a step-by-step guide to using the five major approaches to research design: quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, arts-based, and community-based participatory research. Chapters on each approach follow a unique format--they present a template for a research proposal and explain in detail how to conceptualize and fill in every section. Terminology commonly used within each approach is identified, and key moments of ethical decision making are flagged. Interdisciplinary research examples draw on current events and social justice topics. Unique coverage includes hot topics: replication studies and data sharing, tailoring proposals to different audiences, and more. The book also includes a general introduction to social research; an in-depth, practical discussion of ethics; and a chapter on how to begin a research study, from planning a topic to developing a research question via a literature review. Pedagogical Features *Multiple "Review Stops" in each chapter--quick quizzes with answer keys. *End-of-chapter writing exercises, research activities, and suggested resources. *Bold-face key terms and an end-of-book glossary. *Boxed tips from experts in the respective approaches. *Supplemental PowerPoint slides for instructors using the book in a class. Winner (Third Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Nursing Research Category

With over 80 information-packed chapters, Handbook for Clinical Research delivers the practical insights and expert tips necessary for successful research design, analysis, and implementation. Using clear language and an accessible bullet point format, the authors present the knowledge and expertise developed over time and traditionally shared from mentor to mentee and colleague to colleague.

The book takes you through the main methods, tools and approaches used by health researchers and uses examples and case studies to highlight good and bad practice in research. The book also includes: Guidance on critical thinking and writing, to assist you in interpreting research articles and judging their worth Simple exercises, discussion points and reflective opportunities to help you construct logical arguments and apply research findings to practice Useful tips for surviving and exceeding in your course of study.

A complete guide to understanding and applying clinical research results. Ideal for both researchers and healthcare providers. Understanding Clinical Research addresses both the operational challenges of clinical trials and the needs of clinicians to comprehend the nuances of research methods to accurately analyze study results. This timely resource covers all aspects of clinical trials--from study design and statistics to regulatory oversight--and it delivers a detailed yet streamlined overview of must-know research topics.

Provides expert guidance on the development of a program of research. This is the first resource to provide graduate nursing students, students in other health sciences, and novice researchers with the tools and perspective to develop their own programs of research.

This is a valuable resource for readers seeking basic to advanced information on measurement. It should be on the bookshelf of all researchers, and a requirement for graduate nursing students.

This is a concise, step-by-step guide to conducting qualitative nursing research using various forms of data analysis. It is part of a unique series of books devoted to seven different qualitative designs and methods in nursing, written for both novice researchers and specialists seeking to develop or expand their competency.

Grounded theory, often considered the parent of all qualitative research, is a complex approach used to develop theory about a phenomenon rooted in observation of empirical data. Widely used in nursing, grounded theory enables researchers to apply what they learn from interviewees to a wider client population. This is a practical "how to" guide to conducting research using this qualitative design.

Participatory action research is a qualitative research method conducted in collaboration with a community of people in order to effect changes in the community that are relevant to the residents. This is a practical, "how-to" resource for conducting participatory action research that guides readers, step by step, through planning, conducting, and disseminating nursing research using this qualitative design.

This "how-to" book describes the foundations of phenomenology and the specifics of how to conduct nursing research using phenomenological designs. It is part of an innovative series for novice researchers and specialists alike focusing on state-of-the-art methodologies from a nursing perspective.