About the Book
Providing a comprehensive foundation for planning, executing, and monitoring public health research of all types, this book goes beyond traditional epidemiologic research designs to cover state-of-the-art, technology-based approaches emerging in the new public health landscape. Written by experts in the field, each chapter includes a description of the research method covered, examples of its application in public health, clear instructions on how to execute the method, and a discussion of emerging issues and future directions. In addition, each chapter addresses the topic in the context of global health and health disparities. Such breadth provides readers with practical tools they can use in the field, as well as a current understanding of conceptual discussions. Illustrated with engaging case studies that enhance understanding of the concepts presented, Public Health Research Methods is a comprehensive, must-have reference ideal for researchers in all sectors-government, academia, and non-profit.
Table of Contents:
1: Introduction to Public Health Research Methods - Greg Guest
PART I: Planning and Preparing for Research
2: Designing Research - Heidi Reynolds, Greg Guest
3. Research Ethics and Working with Institutional Review Boards - Amy Corneli, David Borasky
4. Cultivating Stakeholder Involvement in Public Health Research - Dazon Dixon Diallo, Paula Frew
In Focus: Community-Based Participatory Research - Karen Hacker and Greg Guest
PART II. TRADITIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGIC METHODS & DESIGNS
5. Public Health Surveillance: From Data to Action - Donna Stroup, Steven Thacker
6. Outbreak Investigation - Douglas Hamilton
7. Cohort and Case Control Studies - Lee Warner, Deborah Dee
8. Designing Randomized Controlled Trials - Theresa Gamble, Danielle Haley, Niru Sista, Raymond Buck
PART III. STRUCTURAL AND OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
9. Using Secondary Data - Sarah Boslaugh
10. Economics of Population Health - Emma McIntosh, Cam Donaldson, Lyndal Bond, Kenny Lawson
In Focus: Cost Analysis for Interventions - Rick Homan
11. Health Services Research - Heidi Reynolds
12. Survey Design and Implementation - Jeanne Bertolli, Kathy Hageman, Travis Sanchez, Andrea Kim
13. Scale Development and Validation - Glenn Gamst, Lawrence S. Meyers, Holly McClain Burke, A. J. Guarino
14. Social Network Analysis. Methods and Applications in Public Health - Elizabeth Costenbader, Thomas Valente
15. Qualitative Research Methods - Emily Namey, Robert Trotter II
16. Randomized Controlled Trials for Psychosocial Interventions - Phyllis Solomon, Mary Cavanaugh
PART IV. CROSS-CUTTING METHODS AND APPROACHES
17. Sampling: The Foundation of Good Research - Johnnie Daniel
18. Statistical Methods in Public Health Research - Mark Weaver
19. Mixed Methods Research - Greg Guest, Paul Fleming
In Focus: Using Vignettes in Public Health Research - Paul Fleming, Michael Stalker
20. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Public Health - Candace Nykiforuk
21. Public Health 2.0. Fresh Approaches to Old Problems - Hans Ossebaard and Lisette van Gemert-Pijnen
In Focus: Mobile and Digital Data Collection in the Field - Mitesh Thakkar, Nikhil Wilmink, Rachna Nag Chowdhuri, Sruthi Chandrasekaran
PART V. APPLYING RESEARCH FINDINGS
22. Enhancing Research Utilization - Jeffery Peterson, Angie Funaiole
23. Implementation Science. Identifying the Path from Innovation to Impact - Temina Madon
APPENDIX 1. Theories and Models in Public Health Research
About the Author :
Greg Guest received his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Georgia. Over the past 15 years, he has designed and managed public health research studies in more than 15 countries. Greg is currently the Director of Research and Evaluation in the Economic Development and Livelihoods department at FHI 360. In this capacity he oversees multisite, mixed methods, research and evaluation activities across multiple fields of public health. Guest′s other books include two edited volumes—Globalization, Health and the Environment: An Integrated Perspective (AltaMira, 2005) and Handbook for Team- Based Qualitative Research (AltaMira 2008)—and two co-authored monographs Applied Thematic Analysis (Sage 2012) and Collecting Qualitative Data: A Field Manual for Applied Research (Sage 2013). He′s published articles in journals such as Field Methods, Journal of Mixed Methods Research, American Journal of Public Health, JAIDS, AIDS Care, AIDS Education and Prevention, African Journal of AIDS Research, AIDS and Behavior, Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care and Journal of Health Communication. Guest is also owner of the research consulting firm Social Research Solutions, which specializes in methodological training and consultation (www.socialresearchsolutions.com). Emily E. Namey, MA, has over 10 years’ experience applying her skills in project management and knowledge of research methods to the design, implementation, conduct, monitoring, and dissemination of public health research. Emily recently rejoined FHI 360, where she manages domestic and international qualitative and mixed methods projects related to health disparities and HIV prevention. Prior to her work at FHI 360, she spent over 5 years at Duke University, splitting time among the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Trent Center for Bioethics. At Duke, Emily implemented qualitative research on subjects ranging from maternity care to vaccine trial participation to ethical approaches to genomic research recruitment to the use and understanding of Certificates of Confidentiality. She has experience in the private sector as well, having completed projects at Intel Corporation and Nike, Inc. Emily has designed and led qualitative research training courses in more than a dozen countries and has co-authored several methodological publications, including Collecting Qualitative Data (Sage 2012), Applied Thematic Analysis (Sage 2012), Qualitative Research Methods: A Data Collector’s Field Guide (Family Health International, 2005) and “Data reduction techniques for large qualitative datasets” in Handbook for Team-based Qualitative Research (AltaMira 2008). Her publications also include articles in Social Science & Medicine, Fertility and Sterility, AIDS Care, IRB, and the Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics. Emily received her MA in applied anthropology from Northern Arizona University.
Review :
"For students like mine, who are training in Community Health Practice, a textbook like this would be very useful as it has key research methods concepts from across the Public Health field."
"The content of this text is excellent and very current. I am impressed by the emphasis on community-based approaches, the effort to integrate examples from the current academic literature, and efforts to inform students of future directions in public health research."
"An excellent book for anyone who wants to conduct research in public health. It is very informative and it flows very well."
"…a well-conceived overview of the key themes in health research methods and a straightforward approach and focus."
"It is an excellent public health textbook—well-written and covers all aspects of public health, especially modern public health."
"The book makes research methods ‘come alive’ by providing information on the historical use of various methods and research findings."
"It facilitates a ‘big picture’ view for students."
"I actually really like the way the text is laid out. It seems like there is a good distinction between technical matters and theoretical perspectives."
"It makes sense the way it goes from preparing research to designing and implementing research, and finishes with applications."
"The content is comprehensive, informative and valuable."
"The fact that the book extends beyond the general study designs covered in traditional research methods texts as well as provides specifics on planning and implementing research gives the reader a better understanding of how research operates."
"It is a good reference for any health care professional, especially for doctoral students in any health care field, including those pursuing a doctorate in education."
"Good overview all in one place."
"Provides an overview of research methods and applications across the major public health disciplines."
