This is the first textbook to show how research using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods relates to improving health and social care practice. The book shows how different research approaches are undertaken in practice and the challenges and strengths of different methodologies, thus facilitating students to make informed decisions when choosing which to use in their own research projects. The eleven chapters are each structured around different research methods and include: A brief overview of the research and research question Identification and overview of the research approach and associated methods selected to answer this question The sample and recruitment, including issues and challenges Ethical concerns Practical issues in undertaking the research approach Links between the research process and findings to health and social care values Links to the full research study Further reading The book will be a required reading for all students of social work; social care; nursing; public health and health studies and particularly suitable for those on widening participation courses.

This is the first textbook to show how research using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods relate to improving health and social care practice. The book shows how different research approaches are undertaken in practice and of the challenges and strengths of different methodologies, thus facilitating students to make informed decisions when choosing which to use in their own research projects. The eleven chapters are each structured around different research methods and include: A brief overview of the research and research question Identification and overview of the research approach and associated methods selected to answer this question The sample and recruitment, including issues and challenges Ethical concerns Practical issues in undertaking the research approach Links between the research process and findings to health and social care values Links to the full research study Further reading It will be required reading for all students of social work; social care; nursing; public health; and health studies and is particularly suitable for those on widening participation courses.

"Research Methods for Health and Social Care is a one-stop introduction to the most commonly used research techniques. Including qualitative, quantitative and desk-based designs, it provides a practical method-by-method guide for those undertaking research projects in this field." "A comprehensive and thorough analysis, Research Methods for Health and Social Care is a core text for all students of research within the health, social work, social care and nursing disciplines."--BOOK JACKET.

From understanding the concepts of research and gathering data, to writing it all up and sharing knowledge, this book will guide your students to become researchers by giving them: a confident start with clarity on core concepts and getting it right ethically step-by-step guidance at each point in the research process, showing them diversity in approaches, the impact of context and how to overcome problems case studies of how real researchers embrace the challenges, surprises and successes of research an emphasis on the person in context, so their research is reflective of the realities of social work and social care practice a guide to writing it up and achieving impact and positive change with research.

The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Methods in Health Research is a comprehensive and authoritative source on qualitative research methods. The Handbook compiles accessible yet vigorous academic contributions by respected academics from the fast-growing field of qualitative methods in health research and consists of: - A series of case studies in the ways in which qualitative methods have contributed to the development of thinking in fields relevant to policy and practice in health care. - A section examining the main theoretical sources drawn on by qualitative researchers. - A section on specific techniques for the collection of data. - A section exploring issues relevant to the strategic place of qualitative research in health care environments. The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Methods in Health Research is an invaluable source of reference for all students, researchers and practitioners with a background in the health professions or health sciences.

Practitioners across the caring professions increasingly need to know where evidence can be found and to evaluate different forms of evidence with a critical eye. This invaluable collection includes exemplars of a wide range of research techniques and provides a critical commentary for each. The commentary is designed to tackle jargon and demystify the text, highlighting the compromises that need to be made in real world research designs and the complexity of controlling relevant variables. The book seeks to underline the challenges of interpreting and generalising results both for the researchers and for those who fund their work. This is a set book for the Open University course K302 Critical Practice in Health and So

This accessible and clearly structured book, written by experienced researchers and practitioners, provides a one-stop introduction to the most common qualitative, quantitative and desk-based research designs and methods in health and social care.