Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences

by Stephen Polgar BSc(Hons), MSc, Shane A. Thomas DipPubPol, PhD, MAPS

Overview

Now in its 7^th edition this textbook is a must have for any health professional student. It provides a comprehensive overview of health research, in a concise and easy to read format using examples directly related to the health sciences. It helps students understand health research models, and how research goes on to inform and improve evidence-based clinical practice. For practitioners it provides guidance on published research in journals, providing an essential tool to keep their practice evidence based.

• Uses simple language and demystifies research jargon
• Covers both quantitative and qualitative research methodology, taking a very practical approach
• Provides an extensive glossary for better understanding of the language of research
• Fully updated online interactive self-assessment tests including MCQs, true or false questions and short answer questions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780702074936
Publisher:	Elsevier Health Sciences
Publication date:	11/11/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Stephen Polgar works in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.

Shane A. Thomas is Professor and Director of Primary Care Research, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaHonorary Professor Research School in Population Health, Australian National UniversityProfessor and Director, International Institute for Primary Health Care Research,Health and Family Planning Capacity Building and Continuing Education Center of Shenzhen, China

Table of Contents

Preface

Section 1: Methodological Foundations of Health Research

Chapter 1: Foundations of health research

Chapter 2: quantitative and qualitative methods

Chapter 3: The research process

Section 2: Research Planning

Chapter 4: The formulation of research questions

Chapter 5: Sampling methods and external validity

Chapter 6: Ethics

Section 3: Research Designs

Chapter 7: Experimental designs and randomised controlled trials

Chapter 8: Surveys and quasi-experimental designs

Chapter 9: Single case (n=1) designs

Chapter 10: Qualitative research

Section 4: Data collection

Chapter 11: Questionnaires

Chapter 12: Interviewing techniques

Chapter 13: Observation

Chapter 14: Measurement

Section 5: Descriptive Statistics

Chapter 15: Organization and presentation of data

Chapter 16: Measures of central tendency and variability

Chapter 17: Standard scores and normal distributions

Chapter 18: Correlation

Section 6: Data Analysis and Inference

Chapter 19: Probability and confidence intervals

Chapter 20: Hypothesis testing: selection and use of statistical tests

Chapter 21: Effect size and the Interpretation of evidence

Chapter 22: Qualitative data analysis

Section 7: Evaluation and dissemination of research results

Chapter 23: Critical evaluation of published research

Chapter 24: Synthesis: systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Glossary of research terms

References and further reading

Appendices

Index

Editorial Reviews

As a second year student with a research proposal looming, this book will prove extremely useful. The chapters are laid out in a logical and easy to follow way, and explanations of key areas are easily understandable.

The self assessment sections allow the student to track their progress and check their understanding. Overall, I would recommend this book to any student, like myself, who finds the thought of research methods frightening!!!!

- Laura Culpan, Physiotherapy Student, University of Bradford, UK.

Polgar and Thomas's ‘Introduction To Research Methods In The Health Sciences' is an excellent book for any student within health science who needs to complete a dissertation/ final year project or even those who desire to understand more about research.

The layout takes the reader logically through the stages of research: Planning, design, Data collection and statistics directed by a clear contents, index and glossary. Chapters are nicely broken down into specific topics so it is easier to read and find exactly what you are looking for. Use of colour and text add to the ease of use. The summaries at the end of each chapter are great if you want to get a feel for an area of research without reading the entire chapter. And the self assessment section at the end of each chapter is a great way to ensure you have understood the content and can apply it. Use of tables and graphs break down the text, again making for ease of use and are also a tool for aiding understanding of the theories/ practicalities of research and how they are applied. There is also an excellent chapter on critical evaluation of research which is especially useful when considering evidenced based practice and the true value of research.

Nick Downing, Physiotherapy Student, University of Birmingham

From the Publisher