'The authors are not advocating that all people need to be involved in research but certainly argue the need for practioners to develop their research skills and expertise. This text removes some of the mystique of research and would certainly encourage the practioner to explore some of the areas raised in more depth. I would consider it to be an essential text for any social and health care practioner whether they are in practice or pursuing further studies. - Nurse Education Today, Volume 24, Issue 1, January 2004 Research is now a crucial function of health and social care practice. All professionals in these fields need to understand research and be able to apply it in their daily care. Making Sense of Research aims to demystify research by introducing the relevant and essential elements. The authors provide a foundation of research knowledge by explaining the role of research in health and social care, giving an overview of the research process and presenting a range of approaches both quantitative and qualitative. There is an emphasis on the development of critical skills and how to implement research findings in practice. Additionally, they cover ethical issues involved in research and the dissemination of evidence gained through research. This completely revised and updated Second Edition is an invaluable introductory text for students and qualified practitioners in the health and social care professions who have no prior training or experience in the area. It includes new material on internet research, and the examples and reading lists have been fully updated.

What is research and how does it work in the context of nursing, health and social care? This introductory guide provides you with a concise overview of the different research methods and terminology that you will come across when undertaking research in any course related to nursing, health and social care. The book′s easy-to-follow structure takes you from research novice to confident researcher, helping you to make sense of research and understand how it is implemented in healthcare practice. The new edition includes: Updates in light of the 2018 NMC standards, with more information on the impact of GDPR, consent and vulnerable groups, Personal and Public Involvement (PPI), and work-based projects. Improved case examples of real research, with more on group work, poster presentations, research output and dissemination, literature reviews, and dissertations. Upgraded activities that include reflective exercises, critical appraisal tools, a dissemination plan, and a glossary, all in the book. This is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students within the health and therapy professions, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and paramedics.

This book is for practitioners at all levels, from teachers making site-specific decisions to administrators making schoolwide and policy decisions.

A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist Most of us learn about science from media coverage, and anyone seeking factual information on climate change, vaccine safety, genetically modified foods, or the dangers of peanut allergies has to sift through an avalanche of bogus assertions, misinformation, and carefully packaged spin. Cornelia Dean draws on thirty years of experience as a science reporter at the New York Times to expose the tricks that handicap readers with little background in science. She reveals how activists, business spokespersons, religious leaders, and talk show hosts influence the way science is reported and describes the conflicts of interest that color research. At a time when facts are under daily assault, Making Sense of Science seeks to equip nonscientists with a set of critical tools to evaluate the claims and controversies that shape our lives. “Making Sense of Science explains how to decide who is an expert, how to understand data, what you need to do to read science and figure out whether someone is lying to you... If science leaves you with a headache trying to figure out what’s true, what it all means and who to trust, Dean’s book is a great place to start.” —Casper Star-Tribune “Fascinating... Its mission is to help nonscientists evaluate scientific claims, with much attention paid to studies related to health.” —Seattle Times “This engaging book offers non-scientists the tools to connect with and evaluate science, and for scientists it is a timely call to action for effective communication.” —Times Higher Education

This volume demystifies science studies and bridges the divide between social theory and the sociology of science.

Many health care practitioners and researchers are aware of the need to employ factor analysis in order to develop more sensitive instruments for data collection. Unfortunately, factor analysis is not a unidimensional approach that is easily understood by even the most experienced of researchers. Making Sense of Factor Analysis: The Use of Factor Analysis for Instrument Development in Health Care Research presents a straightforward explanation of the complex statistical procedures involved in factor analysis. Authors Marjorie A. Pett, Nancy M. Lackey, and John J. Sullivan provide a step-by-step approach to analyzing data using statistical computer packages like SPSS and SAS. Emphasizing the interrelationship between factor analysis and test construction, the authors examine numerous practical and theoretical decisions that must be made to efficiently run and accurately interpret the outcomes of these sophisticated computer programs. This accessible volume will help both novice and experienced health care professionals to Increase their knowledge of the use of factor analysis in health care research Understand journal articles that report the use of factor analysis in test construction and instrument development Create new data collection instruments Examine the reliability and structure of existing health care instruments Interpret and report computer-generated output from a factor analysis run Making Sense of Factor Analysis: The Use of Factor Analysis for Instrument Development in Health Care Research offers a practical method for developing tests, validating instruments, and reporting outcomes through the use of factor analysis. To facilitate learning, the authors provide concrete testing examples, three appendices of additional information, and a glossary of key terms. Ideal for graduate level nursing students, this book is also an invaluable resource for health care researchers.