Research Methods in Health: Foundations for Evidence Based Practice

About the Book

Research Methods in Health 2nd Edition is an introductory text that shows students different research techniques and how they are of value to the health professions. The text assumes no prior knowledge and is written in an appealing student-friendly style using examples to demonstrate the relevance of research to health care practice. Written to be inclusive of all health professions, fostering a team-based approach to health care practice. Covers qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research methods. Shows how to decide which research method to use and when. Draws sensible links between evidence-based practice and research methodology. Stop & Think boxes encourage students to critically reflect on the content. Research in Practice boxes demonstrate how research can be applied in clinical practice. New to this edition New chapter on `metasynthesis of qualitative research for evidence-based practice' More material on how to critically evaluate qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research

Table of Contents:
PART I METHODS AND PRINCIPLES1. The Science of Words and the Science of Numbers: Research Methods as Foundations for Evidence-based Practice in HealthEvidence and evidence-based practiceResearch designs: which one?Ontology and epistemologyQualitative and quantitative approaches: a comparisonMixed methodsResearch rigour: trustworthiness and reliability/validitySampling issues2. What is Ethical Research?Converging principles in medical, health and social care research?Understanding and applying the principles of ethical researchAutonomy PART II QUALITATIVE APPROACHES AND PRACTICES3. The In-depth Interviewing Method in HealthWhat is an in-depth interview?Framework options for the in-depth interviewQuestions and in-depth interviewsTypes of questionsDoing an in-depth interview: the sequencePractical issues in doing an interview4. Focus Groups in Health ResearchWhy choose focus groups as a method of enquiry?Planning the focus groupsConducting the focus groupsDeveloping proficiency in conducting focus groups5. Narrative Enquiry and Health ResearchWhat is narrative enquiry?Narrative enquiry method6. Ethnography as Health ResearchA method with a long pedigreeEthnography in health settingsDesigning an ethnographic study7. Using Grounded Theory in Health ResearchHistory and `modes’ of grounded theoryGrounded theory: perspectives and questionsThe steps taken in a grounded theory studyA `grounded theory’ (what is it?)8. Phenomenology and Rehabilitation ResearchPhenomenologyDesigning and conducting phenomenological research in rehabilitation practiceData collection: conducting qualitative interviewsThe role of the researcher in phenomenological researchThe data analysis processStrategies of rigourContribution to evidence-based practice9. Using Clinical Data-mining as Practice-based EvidenceData-mining: definitionContext for its useComparison with other research methodsClinical data-mining: its advantages and drawbacksClinical data-mining: the processClinical data-mining: a case study10. `Clear at a Distance, Jumbled up Close’: Observation, Immersion and Reflection in the Process that is Creative Research`Observation’, `clinical observation’ and `participant observation’The two faces of observation: do you `take’ or `make’ observations?Five examples of observationKey decision points in the use of observationThe process of observationally based research PART III QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES AND PRACTICES11. Measure Twice, Cut Once: Understanding the Reliability and Validity of the Clinical Measurement Tools Used in Health ResearchHow do we measure?How are assessment tools developed?Psychometric (measurement) propertiesInterpretabilityCriteria for selecting tests and measures in research and practiceCriteria for evaluating studies that examine the measurement properties of tool12. Single-subject Experimental Designs in Health ResearchAre RCTs and group designs always the designs of choice?What are single-subject experimental designs?When did SSEDs develop? Are they a popular design? Are they considered powerful?Types of SSEDsAnalysis of SSED data13. Surveys and Questionnaires in Health ResearchWhy do we use surveys and questionnaires?What are the main survey designs?How is measurement theory applied to survey research?How are surveys designed?Survey formatHow are survey questions constructed?How are surveys administered?14. How Do We Know What We Know?Epidemiology in Health ResearchThe who, the where and the whenObservational studies: descriptive versus analytical epidemiologyPopulation health data15. Clinical Trials: The Good, the Bad and the UglyGood trials versus bad trialsRandomised controlled trialsIssues that affect the internal validity of a randomised trialIssues that affect the external validity of a randomised trialReporting RCTsAssessing the quality of clinical trials PART IV EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE AND SYSTEMATIC REVIEW16. Evidence-based Health CareDefining `evidence’Evidence-based practiceMisconceptions of EBPAppraising clinical guidelinesImplementing EBP: issues, strategies and using audit for implementation17. Evidence-based Practice in Therapeutic Health CareEvidence hierarchies and evidence qualityCurrent practiceTherapy case studyDiagnosis case study18. Metasynthesis of qualitative research for evidence-based practiceThe `what’ of metasynthesisThe `why’ of metasynthesisThe `how’ of metasynthesis19. Everything You Wanted to Know about Systematic Reviews but Were Afraid to AskA step-by-step guide to conducting a systematic review PART V MIXED METHODOLOGY AND COLLABORATIVE PRACTICES20. Integrated Methods in Health ResearchIntegrated approachesOntological integrationEpistemological integrationSamplingDesignAnalysis, display, interpretation and synthesis of results21. The Use of Mixed Methods in Health ResearchDifferent types of mixed methodsWhy use mixed methods?Critical appraisal of mixed methods studiesA case study: exploring reasons why women do not use breast screeningChallenges and terrors of mixing methodsIn conclusion or inconclusion?22. Collaborative Participatory Research with Disadvantaged CommunitiesParticipatory action researchCollaborative participatory researchCPR in practiceA community context: Indigenous health research in Australia PART V MIXED METHODOLOGY AND COLLABORATIVE PRACTICES20. Integrated Methods in Health ResearchIntegrated approachesOntological integrationEpistemological integrationSamplingDesignAnalysis, display, interpretation and synthesis of results21. The Use of Mixed Methods in Health ResearchDifferent types of mixed methodsWhy use mixed methods?Critical appraisal of mixed methods studiesA case study: exploring reasons why women do not use breast screeningChallenges and terrors of mixing methodsIn conclusion or inconclusion?22. Collaborative Participatory Research with Disadvantaged CommunitiesParticipatory action researchCollaborative participatory researchCPR in practiceA community context: Indigenous health research in AustraliaPART VI MAKING SENSE OF DATA AND PRESENTATION23. Making Sense of Qualitative DataGeneric principles regarding qualitative data analysisCodingWhat can be coded?Steps and strategies for codingTypes of data analysis24. Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS)What is CAQDAS?CAQDAS program optionsCAQDAS functionsBenefits of CAQDASCautions about CAQDASCAQDAS: to use or not to use25. Data Analysis in Quantitative ResearchStatistics in health researchChoosing statistical testsConducting statistical tests26. How to Read and Make Sense of Statistical DataWhere to beginReading and interpreting descriptive statisticsReading and interpreting inferential statisticsHow to interpret findings that are statistically significantHow to interpret findings that are not statistically significantWhat it all means: some simple decision rules for making sense of inferential statistics27. Writing and Critically Appraising Published Research ReportsThe nature of qualitative research writingThe nature of quantitative research writingThe structure of research writing: commonality and divergence

About the Author :
Pranee Liamputtong holds a position of Personal Chair in Public Health at the School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Pranee has previously taught in the School of Sociology and Anthropology and worked as a public health research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Mothers' and Children's Health, La Trobe University. Pranee's particular interests include issues related to cultural and social influences on childbearing, childrearing and women's reproductive and sexual health.