RESEARCH METHODS IN HEALTH

This is the first comprehensive guide to research methods in health. It describes the range of methods that can be used to study and evaluate health and health care. Ann Bowling's impressive range and grasp of research methodology are manifest in the simplicity of her style and in the organization of the book. The text is aimed at students and researchers of health and health services, including those in: demography, economics, epidemiology, health management, health policy, health psychology, health sciences, history, medical sociology, medicine, nursing, pharmaceutics and other health care disciplines. It has also been designed for health professionals and policy makers who have responsibility for applying research findings in practice, and who need to know how to judge the value of that research.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Investigating health services and health: the scope of research; introduction; evaluating health services -multidisciplinary collaboration; social research on health -sociological and psychological concepts and approaches; health needs and their assessment - epidemiology and demography; costing health services - health economics. Part 2 The philosophy, theory and practice of research: introduction; the philosophical framework of measurement; the principles of research. Part 3 Quantitative research sampling and research methods: introduction; sample size and sampling; quantitative research - surveys; quantitative research - experiments and other analytic methods of investigation; sample selection and group assignment methods in experiments and other analytic methods. Part 4 The tools of quantitative research: introduction; data collection methods in quantitative research - questionnaires, interviews and their response rates; questionnaire design; techniques of survey interviewing; preparation of quantitative data for coding and analysis. Part 5 Qualitative research methods and combined research methods, and their analysis: introduction; unstructured and structured observational studies; unstructured interviewing and focus groups; other methods using both qualitative approaches - case studies; consensus methods, action research and document research.

Review :
"...succeeds in providing an accessible overview of research methodology in health and health care." - Health Service Journal "Bowling has produced an informative and easy to read book with excellent background information on the theory and practice of research." - British Journal of Health Care Management "...we suggest that you consider buying a copy of this excellent textbook." -Medical Sociology News "...a brilliantly clear documentation of different philosophies, approaches and methods of research about health and health services. Laid out in an accessible and manageable way, it covers an enormous amount of material without sacrificing thoroughness." - MIDIRS Midwifery Digest "Ann Bowling's endeavour to produce a systematic and comprehensive guide to the subject of health and healthservice research has produced an invaluable reference book for all researchers in the field...Each chapter is divided into topics and ends with a list of major theories, concepts and definitions, which are clear and succinct...This book aims to arm the reader with the full rangeof research tools: conceptual, philosophical, psychological, as well as the usual qualitative, quantitative, descriptive and analytical research methods. " - STaRNet News