This accessible and clearly structured book, written by experienced researchers and practitioners, provides a one-stop introduction to the most common qualitative, quantitative and desk-based research designs and methods in health and social care.

This bestselling book provides an accessible introduction to the concepts and practicalities of research methods in health and health services. This new edition has been extensively re-worked and expanded and now includes expanded coverage of: Qualitative methods Social research Evaluation methodology Mixed methods Secondary data analysis Literature reviewing and critical appraisal Evidence based practice Covering all core methodologies in detail the book looks at the following kinds of health research: health needs morbidity and mortality trends and rates costing health services sampling for survey research cross-sectional and longitudinal survey design experimental methods and techniques of group assignment questionnaire design interviewing techniques coding and analysis of quantitative data methods and analysis of qualitative observational studies unstructured interviewing The book is grounded in the author's career as a researcher on health and health service issues, and the valuable experience this has provided in meeting the challenges of research on people and organisations in real life settings. Research Methods in Health, Fourth Edition is an essential companion for students and researchers of health and health services, health clinicians and policy-makers with responsibility for applying research findings and judging the soundness of research. "Health service researchers - new and old - will be delighted by this new edition of a popular and useful text. There is new content but also updated material making this practically useful as a resource at any stage of the research trajectory. While health is the focus the book is hugely valuable to researchers in cognate areas. such as social care, education and housing. The book meets its own high standards in being easy to follow, well indexed and containing interesting examples of approaches. The limitations of different methods are also honestly reported. A 'must have' for the book shelf." Jill Manthorpe, Professor of Social Work, King's College London, UK "When first published in 1997, this volume was the first systematic overview of research methods used in the health field. In its updated 4th Edition it remains vital and, if anything, more important given the growing number of researchers and students investigating health issues and health services. It provides an impressively comprehensive overview of health research methods in which the wealth and variety of experience of the author shines through at every point. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods are appraised and explained with unpartisan authority and rigour, and the volume covers everything from multidisciplinary collaboration in health service evaluation through the Delphi technique of consensus development to the health economics needed to evaluate costing." Paul Stenner, Professor of Social Psychology, The Open University, UK "This excellent text really is a must for anyone involved in health research. It is truly multidisciplinary in its scope, drawing on a breadth of relevant research from health economics, to epidemiology to psychology which is beyond the scope of most books on research methods. Yet in spite of the wealth of material included it is written and presented in an accessible way so that it will be an invaluable source for those with a background in either qualitative or quantitative research and from students to experienced researchers." Robert J. Edelmann, Professor of Forensic and Clinical psychology, Roehampton University, UK Reviews of previous editions: "Provides an excellent broad based introduction to the subject. The content is clearly presented and at a suitable level for health professionals and postgraduate students in health and health-related social sciences." Virginia Berridge, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK "A valuable source book for health services researchers, health care providers, and others interested in quantifying quality of life for clinical or research purposes." The International Journal for Quality in Health Care "Includes accounts of a number of recently developed scales, while retaining the breadth, concision and clarity that marked the first edition." Medicine, Healthcare and Philosophy

A basic understanding of research methods is essential for the successful completion of any essay, project or dissertation in health, social or early years care. This work explains all the key issues and techniques that will be of particular use to students undertaking a research project. The book covers the key areas of research methodology, the literature search, ethics, validity, reliability and referencing. It also provides detailed guidance on planning, conducting and presenting your project.

The book guides the researcher through their journey, giving detailed, step-by-step advice on planning and carrying out each stage of the research. Useful examples from health care research are included throughout to illustrate the application of the techniques and methods discussed. The book provides discussion of all the key issues and stages of research, including user involvement in research, research ethics, deciding on a research approach, and data collection and analysis methods.

Research Methods for Nursing and Healthcare is an essential introductory text for all nursing and healthcare students coming to research methods for the first time or those nurses and healthcare staff wishing to improve their skills in this area. The book includes comprehensive coverage of the main research methods topics, and provides guidance on how to understand and apply research techniques. Everyday nursing examples are used throughout to explain research methods concepts and their relevance to practice. Simple self-assessment tasks are included at the end of chapters; the tests can be undertaken individually, or within groups, to assess the students understanding of the concepts and skills being learnt. Research Methods for Nursing and Healthcare takes the fear out of research methods for all nursing and healthcare professionals. Excellent introductory text that brings interest to research methods for student nurses.Dr Aimee Aubeeluck, Deputy Director: Graduate Entry Nursing, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy University of Nottingham "I think this is one of the most readable books on research I have read. Not the most scholarly, but that was not the intention. It is certainly the most user friendly book that will make the whole, often scary, subject of research less threatening."Paula Crick, Principal Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Staffordshire University "I do think this is one of the most engaging texts aimed at nursing that I have read in a while... This does seem much more exciting and more importantly. real world"Lucy Land, Senior Academic, Centre for Health and Social Care Research Faculty of Health Birmingham City University "Useful resource for our students dissertation which can be a literature review or a research proposal" Melanie Brooke-Read, Department of Health & Social Studies, University of Bedfordshire "Excellent text book which actually takes away the 'fear' of research within healthcare" Angela Cobbold, Institute of Health & Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University "The text is very comprehensive and I found chapter 7 on action research particularly useful in supporting a student I was supervising. I also like the self assessment exercises which I intend to incorporate in my teaching strategy."Ms. Mulcahy, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork.

Explains and critically evaluates a range of research techniques for the caring professions.

This is the first textbook to show how research using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods relates to improving health and social care practice. The book shows how different research approaches are undertaken in practice and the challenges and strengths of different methodologies, thus facilitating students to make informed decisions when choosing which to use in their own research projects. The eleven chapters are each structured around different research methods and include: A brief overview of the research and research question Identification and overview of the research approach and associated methods selected to answer this question The sample and recruitment, including issues and challenges Ethical concerns Practical issues in undertaking the research approach Links between the research process and findings to health and social care values Links to the full research study Further reading The book will be a required reading for all students of social work; social care; nursing; public health and health studies and particularly suitable for those on widening participation courses.