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Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences

  • 6th Edition - August 22, 2013
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Stephen Polgar, Shane A. Thomas
  • Language: English

This popular textbook provides a concise, but comprehensive, overview of health research as an integrated, problem-solving process. It bridges the gap between health research me… Read more

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Description

This popular textbook provides a concise, but comprehensive, overview of health research as an integrated, problem-solving process. It bridges the gap between health research methods and evidence-based clinical practice, making it an essential tool for students embarking on research. Practitioners also benefit from guidance on interpreting the ever-expanding published research in clinical and scientific journals, to ensure their practice is up to date and evidence-based and to help patients understand information obtained online.

"This textbook would be of interest and value both to undergraduate and post-graduate students also." Reviewed by Dr. Richard Ellis on behalf of the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, January 2015

"..excellent at giving an introduction and overview into research methods." Reviewed by Tobias Bremer on behalf of InTouch, July 2015

Key features

    • Uses simple language and demystifies research jargon
    • Covers both quantitative and qualitative research methodology, taking a very practical approach
    • Gives examples directly related to the health sciences
    • Each chapter contains a self-assessment test so that the reader can be sure they know all the important points
    • Provides an extensive glossary for better understanding of the language of research

    Readership

    Undergraduate students in a wide range of Health Professions areas, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, biomedical scientists.

    Postgrad students doing Masters or PhD.

    Table of contents

    Polgar & Thomas: Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences 6E

    Section 1: The scientific method.

    1 - Methods and health research


    Section 2: Research planning.

    2 - Research planning.

    3 - Sampling methods and external validity.

    Section 3: Research designs.

    4 - Experimental designs and intervention studies.

    5 - Surveys and quasi-experimental designs.

    6 - Single case (n=1) designs.

    7- Qualitative research. Discussion, questions and answers.

    Section 4: Data collection.

    8 - Questionnaire design.

    9 - Interview techniques and the analysis of interview data.

    10 - Observation.

    11 - Measurement. Discussion, questions and answers.

    Section 5: Descriptive statistics.

    12 - Organisation and presentation of data.

    13 - Measures of central tendency and variability.

    14 - Standard scores and normal curve.

    15 - Correlation. Discussion, questions and answers.

    Section 6: Inferential statistics.

    16 - Probability and sampling distributions.

    17 - Selection and use of statistical tests.

    18 - The interpretation of research evidence. Discussion, questions and answers.

    Section 7: Dissemination and critical evaluation of research.

    19 - Qualitative data analysis.

    20 - Presentation of health science research.

    21 - Critical evaluation of published research.

    22 - Syntheses of research evidence.

    23 - Transitional research

    24 – Safe and effective intervention criteria


    Glossary.

    References and further reading.

    Answers to questions.

    Appendices

    Review quotes

    "[As for the clinician], under-graduate students are required to understand health research in order to inform their growing practice and learning. For post-graduate students, this textbook would be a nice “starter” to provide good, basic detail about health research which would be useful for the planning phases of post-graduate research."

    Reviewed by D r. Richard Ellis on behalf of the New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, January 2015

    "..a useful addition for someone brushing up on their research method skills, terminology and definitions in order to understand the published journals better!"

    Reviewed by Tobias Bremer on behalf of InTouch, July 2015

    Product details

    • Edition: 6
    • Latest edition
    • Published: November 28, 2013
    • Language: English

    About the authors

    SP

    Stephen Polgar

    Stephen Polgar works in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
    Affiliations and expertise
    Honorary Research Fellow, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

    ST

    Shane A. Thomas

    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
    Affiliations and expertise
    Distinguished Professor of Federation University