Product Description
Fundamentals of Research Methodology for Healthcare Professionals (5th edition)
Authors: HI Brink, G van Rensburg
Format: Physical Hardcopy
Fundamentals of Research Methodology for Healthcare Professionals presents the fundamental principles of research methodology and supports the vital role that research plays in the improvement of health science practices. The book provides novice and emerging researchers with the principles of philosophy of science as well as practical research methods. It is valuable for research capacity development and is also an accessible resource for more experienced researchers reviewing research principles.
This fifth edition of Fundamentals of Research Methodology for Healthcare Professionals has been updated to incorporate the latest trends in research methodology and evidence-based practice. The book details the steps involved in planning and undertaking a research project, from identifying and formulating the problem through to reporting findings.
It underscores the importance of having a clear understanding of research methodology and terminology in order to read research reports with critical insight, implement evidence-based practice, and expand research. This edition is certain to stimulate awareness of the myriad researchable and research-requiring questions encountered daily in healthcare practice.
Key features include:
• clearly defined learning objectives to indicate the focus of each chapter
• practical examples of research projects or steps in the research process
• chapter summaries to reinforce learning
• exercises to put theory into practice
• a practical, hands-on introduction to research methodology.
Contents:
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CHAPTER 1: Orientation to health sciences research
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What is research?
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What is health sciences research?
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Ways of acquiring knowledge
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The scientific method
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CHAPTER 2: Research and theory
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The nature of scientific theory
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Development of theory
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Testing of theory
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The relationship between theory and research
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CHAPTER 3: Ethical considerations in the conduct of health sciences research
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Codes of ethical research
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Fundamental ethical principles
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Procedures and mechanisms for protecting human rights
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Evaluation of the ethical elements of a research proposal or report
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CHAPTER 4: An overview of the research process
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The research process
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Major phases and steps in the research process
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Other models of the research process
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Research setting
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CHAPTER 5: Selecting or identifying research problems
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What is a research topic?
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Research problem and purpose
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CHAPTER 6: The literature review
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Definitions
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Purpose of the literature review
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Types of information and sources
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Primary and secondary sources
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Depth and breadth of the review
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Developing a search strategy
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The review process
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CHAPTER 7: Refining and defining the research question
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Refining the research question
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Research questions
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Research hypotheses
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Research aims and objectives
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Identifying variables
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Research proposal
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CHAPTER 8: Quantitative research
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Important concepts and principles in quantitative research designs
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Basic and applied research
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Time dimension in research
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Classification of research designs
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Epidemiological research
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Evaluating quantitative research designs
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CHAPTER 9: Qualitative research designs and introduction to mixed methods research
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Overview of qualitative research
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Searching the literature in qualitative research
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Rigour in qualitative research
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Choice of research design
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An introduction to mixed methods research
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Major types of mixed methods designs
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CHAPTER 10: Sampling
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Basic sampling concepts
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Sampling approaches
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Sample choice
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Sample adequacy
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CHAPTER 11: Data collection
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The data-collection process
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Data-collection methods
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CHAPTER 12: Data quality
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Types of error
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Sources of measurement error
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Validity of data-collection instruments
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Validity of qualitative data
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Reliability of data-collection instruments
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Relationship between reliability and validity
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Other factors affecting data quality
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The pilot study and pre-test
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Measurement evaluation
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CHAPTER 13: Data analysis
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Analysis of quantitative data
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Choosing appropriate statistical procedures
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Inferential statistics
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Use of graphics
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Interpretation of quantitative data
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Analysis of qualitative data
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Data-analysis evaluation
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Protection of data in the online space
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CHAPTER 14: Research reports and report evaluation
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Purpose of a research report
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Report formats
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Planning the report
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Structure of the report
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Style of the report
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Technical layout of the report
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The ethics of report writing
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Critical evaluation of the report
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Productive writing
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