Introduction to Health Research Methods

From best-selling author of Introduction to Global Health, Introduction to Health Research Methods demystifies the research process and empowers students (and other new investigators) to conduct their own original research projects. Using clear language and practical examples, the text has five sections that describe the entire research process beginning with the identification of a research question and the selection of a study approach, proceeding through the collection and analysis of data and the preparation of a formal scientific report, and ending with academic and professional presentations and publishing. By breaking the research process down into manageable steps, Introduction to Health Research Methods communicates the excitement and importance of health researchand encourages readers to make their own contribution to improving the health of individuals and communities through research. Key features: A step-by-step guide to conducting research in medicine, public health, and other health sciences For classroom use or for guiding independent work on scholarly projects Covers the entire research process from identifying a study question and selecting a study approach to collecting and analyzing data to disseminating the findings Includes detailed information about how to conduct primary studies (collection of new data), secondary analyses (analysis of existing data), and tertiary studies (literature reviews) Weaves elements of research ethics throughout the book. Chapter 1 The Purpose and Process of Health Research Step 1 Identifying A Study Question Chapter 2 Selecting a General Topic Chapter 3 Reviewing the Literature Chapter 4 Focusing the Research Question Chapter 5 Assembling a Support Team Step 2 Selecting A Study Approach Chapter 6 Overview of Study Approaches Chapter 7 Reviews / Meta-analyses Chapter 8 Correlational (Ecological) Studies Chapter 9 Case Series Chapter 10 Cross-Sectional Surveys Chapter 11 Case-Control Studies Chapter 12 Cohort Studies Chapter 13 Experimental Studies Chapter 14 Qualitative Studies Step 3 Designing the Study and Collecting Data Chapter 15 Overview: Developing a Proposal and Protocol Chapter 16 Primary Studies: Selecting a Study Population Chapter 17 Primary Studies: Estimating Sample Size Chapter 18 Primary Studies: Developing a Questionnaire Chapter 19 Primary Studies: Surveys and Interviews Chapter 20 Primary Studies: Additional Assessments Chapter 21 Primary Studies: Ethical Considerations Chapter 22 Ethical Review and Approval Chapter 23 Secondary Studies: Existing Data Sets Chapter 24 Tertiary Studies: Systematic Reviews Step 4 Analyzing Data Chapter 25 Data Management Chapter 26 Descriptive Statistics Chapter 27 Comparative Statistics Chapter 28 A Brief Guide to Advanced Health Statistics Step 5 Reporting Findings Chapter 29 Article Structure Chapter 30 Citing Chapter 31 Writing Strategies Chapter 32 Critically Revising Chapter 33 Posters and Presentations Chapter 34 Selecting Target Journals Chapter 35 The Submission, Review, and Publication Process Chapter 36 Why Publish?