Provides the essential information that health care researchers and health professionals need to understand the basics of qualitative research Now in its fourth edition, this concise, accessible, and authoritative introduction to conducting and interpreting qualitative research in the health care field has been fully revised and updated. Continuing to introduce the core qualitative methods for data collection and analysis, this new edition also features chapters covering newer methods which are becoming more widely used in the health research field; examining the role of theory, the analysis of virtual and digital data, and advances in participatory approaches to research. Qualitative Research in Health Care, 4th Edition looks at the interface between qualitative and quantitative research in primary mixed method studies, case study research, and secondary analysis and evidence synthesis. The book further offers chapters covering: different research designs, ethical issues in qualitative research; interview, focus group and observational methods; and documentary and conversation analysis. A succinct, and practical guide quickly conveying the essentials of qualitative research Updated with chapters on new and increasingly used methods of data collection including digital and web research Features new examples and up-to-date references and further reading The fourth edition of Qualitative Research in Health Care is relevant to health care professionals, researchers and students in health and related disciplines.

"The contributors to this book are experts in their field, adding a credibility that helps the reader relax. The varied experiences of people working not only within the UK but also Finland - where much of the work in this area has been caried out - are showcased." Nursing Standard How does patient participation work in practice? What does it look like when it happens? How can it be researched and how can it be taught? This comprehensive new book provides answers to these questions by exploring interconnections between theory, research and practice. It draws on different disciplinary perspectives in the health and social sciences and invites comparisons between different health care settings. With patient participation as the central theme, this book: Draws on patient, professional and academic perspectives Makes substantive contributions to policy, practice and professional development Contributes to the development of the field by offering new material and insights The research content of each chapter is accompanied by ideas for its educational and practical application. Real examples invite comparison with academic research and health professionals’ experience. Patient Participation in Health Care Consultations takes a multidisciplinary approach and is key reading for students and academics in health and social sciences and for practising health care professionals. It will also be of interest to patients, carers and policy makers. Contributors: Sarah Collins, Nicky Britten, Carol Bugge, John Chatwin, Rowena Field, Joseph Gafaranga, Aled Jones, Pirjo Lindfors, Anssi Perakyla, Johanna Ruusuvuori, Fiona Stevenson, Andrew Thompson, Ian Watt.

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

"Di Gregorio & Davidson provide an essential guide for qualitative researchers who wish to get to grips with the potential of software packages for handling qualitative data, research design and ethical and privacy issues ... The authors open up new ground … by integrating the discussion of qualitative data analysis software into the wider context of methodological practice. The authors' arguments and general approach are illustrated in an accessible and engaging manner through the use of detailed case studies of qualitative research using a range of software packages. A smooth read, crammed full of invaluable advice and 'best practice' guidelines and checklists…" Derek Layder, University of Leicester, UK This book is an essential guide for anyone using qualitative data analysis software (QDAS), particularly useful for those who want to go beyond a basic introduction to discover how to get the most out of software and how to identify the methodological issues they need to consider. The book is organized in three parts - the first part addresses the methodological issues that need to be addressed when designing qualitative research using QDAS; the second part uses case studies to demonstrate the issues and the design framework introduced in the first part. These chapters are supported by numerous screenshots illustrating the software under discussion. The last part contains practical appendices to help readers apply the framework introduced to their own research. Di Gregorio and Davidson introduce: The notion of the E-Project or electronic project as a genre A framework for representing the research design of a project in any QDAS package Ethical considerations when working in QDAS A variety of contextual issues including national and organizational differences Eight real research projects of a variety of designs and using different QDAS (ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, NVIVO, and XSight) Separate checklists for ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, NVIVO, and XSight, providing practical help in applying the research design framework presented in the book Uniquely, the book examines issues related to both academic and non-academic uses of QDAS. Qualitative Research Design for Software Users is a useful reference for upper level students, academics and researchers across a range of disciplines.

Health services globally are changing, strategically, structurally and clinically. Research and Development (R&D) plays a key role, because only good research can elucidate and challenge the status quo or future possibilities for effective health care. Researchers and managers have a duty to collaborate with clinicians, to understand and make the most of each others' skills. This necessitates a new paradigm of health service research which is part of a change management culture and change promotion. A clear philosophical and practical distinction is required between R&D and fundamental biomedical science. This book has been written for people who make decisions and bring about change, at all sorts of levels, and in a wide range of disciplines. They include clinicians in many specialities, as well as administrative staff, and general managers of healthcare organizations. It is also for people doing, or wanting to do, research and development in this fascinating area.

Qualitative Research in Health and Illness provides a highly accessible, pragmatic approach to conducting qualitative research in the health fields, including nursing, health studies, public health, medical sociology, and medical anthropology. Targeted toward novice researchers, Jessica Smartt Gullion aims to provide tools to address common scenarios that will arise in professional practice.

The leading figure in qualitative health research (QHR), Janice M. Morse, asserts that QHR is its own separate discipline—distinct from both traditional health research and other kinds of qualitative research—and examines the implications of this position for theory, research, and practice. She contends that the health care environments transform many of the traditional norms of qualitative research and shape a new and different kind of research tradition. Similarly, the humanizing ethos of qualitative health research has much to teach traditional researchers and practitioners in health disciplines. She explores how the discipline of QHR can play out in practice, both in the clinic and in the classroom, in North America and around the world. A challenging, thought-provoking call to rethink how to conduct qualitative research in health settings.