Quantitative Health Research: Issues and Methods

Introduction

Part One Philosophy, Theory, Research Problems and Research Questions
Chapter 1 Philosophical Basis for Research
Chapter 2 The Importance and Use of Social Theory in Health Care Research
Chapter 3 Identifying Research Problems – Reviewing Research Priorities
Chapter 4 Writing Research Questions and Hypotheses

Part Two Ethical Considerations
Chapter 5 Ethical Principles in Research
Chapter 6 Communicating with Research Ethics
Committees Chapter 7 Recruiting Samples from Vulnerable Populations

Part Three Quantitative Research Designs
Chapter 8 Designing and Conducting Quantitative Research Studies
Chapter 9 Sampling Issues in Health Care Research
Chapter 10 Planning and Conducting Surveys
Chapter 11 Quasi-experimental and retrospctive prestest designs for Health Care Research
Chapter 12 Audit in health care
Chapter 13 Evaluation Research

Part Four Measurement and Data Collection
Chapter 14 Using Cognitive Interviewing in Research
Chapter 15 Questionnaires and Instruments for Health Care Research
Chapter 16 Issues and Debates in Validity and Reliability

Part Five Analysing and Presenting Data
Chapter 17 Understanding Probability
Chapter 18 Analysing Data from Small and large samples and Non-normal and normal distributions
Chapter 19 Secondary Data Analysis
Chapter 20 Presenting your research findings

This book is a detailed and comprehensive guide to undertaking quantitative health research at postgraduate and professional level. It takes you through the entire research process, from designing the project to presenting the results and will help you execute high quality quantitative research that improves and informs clinical practice.

Written by a team of research experts, this book covers common practical problems such as applying theory to research and analysing data. It also includes chapters on communicating with ethics committees, recruiting samples from vulnerable populations, audit as a research approach, quasi-experimental designs and using cognitive interviewing, making it a new and innovative offering for health researchers.

Other topics covered in this book include:

• Ethical considerations of research
• Designing and planning quantitative research projects
• Data measurement and collection
• Analyzing and presenting results With a strong practical focus, each chapter features examples of real-life research to illustrate the quantitative research process, as well as tips and insights into research planning and execution. This book is an essential guide for all health care professionals undertaking a postgraduate degree, as well as health researchers and practitioners who need to carry out research as part of their professional role.

Contributors: Ruth Belling, Michelle Butler, Catherine Comiskey, Siobhan Corrigan, Gloria Crispino, Orla Dempsey, Suzanne Guerin, Maree Johnson, Carmel Kelly, Elaine Lehane, Maria Lohan, Susan McLaren, Deirdre Mongan, Corina Naughton, Rhona O'Connell, Elaine Pierce, Gary Rolfe, Eileen Savage, Anne Scott, Emma Stokes, Roger Watson

"“Learning quantitative research is taken much for granted. This is probably why there are fewer generic books on quantitative than qualitative research. This book is long overdue. Clearly- written and well structured, it takes us through the whole journey of a research project from developing 'research questions' to 'presenting the findings', passing through philosophical underpinnings, recruitment of participants and ethical considerations. Written by an array of well-known researchers and teachers, this book will certainly appeal to new as well as seasoned researchers. Those who will use it, will not be disappointed."
Kader Parahoo, University of Ulster

"The title of this text is somewhat misleading. It is not only an excellent and thorough guide to quantitative health research methods; it is also an excellent introduction to all forms of quantitative research. It takes the reader gently through theoretical and ethical concerns to the practicalities and benefits of utilising quantitative approaches. As such it is that rare thing; a text that can be used by novice researchers to learn their craft, and a key reference resource for experienced research practitioners."
Dr. John Cullen, School of Business, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, UK

"This is a first-rate collection of essays that promotes an informed understanding of both underpinning principles and widely used techniques. A great deal of effort has clearly been invested in co-ordinating the contributions, and this has delivered clarity, complementarity and effective coverage. This is a welcome, carefully-crafted and very accessible resource that will appeal to students and researchers in healthcare and beyond."
Martin Beirne, Professor of Management and Organizational Behaviour, University of Glasgow, Adam Smith Business School, UK