Developing a Healthcare Research Proposal: An Interactive Student Guide

Introduction.

What is research?

Being a researcher.

Who's who in the world of healthcare research?

The importance of research to healthcare.

How to use this book and the accompanying web program.

The web program.

Summary.

1 Research and Allied Concepts.

Introduction.

What is research?

What is clinical audit?

Service evaluation.

Issues to consider when undertaking research, audit and service evaluation.

Evidence-based practice.

Clinical effectiveness.

Summary.

2 Philosophical Assumptions.

Introduction.

Philosophical assumptions of qualitative research.

Some major characteristics of qualitative research.

Philosophical assumptions of quantitative research.

Some major characteristics of quantitative research.

Using mixed methods in research.

Summary.

3 The Research Proposal: Developing the Research Question.

Introduction.

Developing the research question.

Questions arising from the patient’s condition.

Finding the answers to your questions.

Types of research questions.

Clarifi cation of the research question.

Summary.

4 The Research Proposal: Searching and Reviewing the Literature.

Introduction.

Steps in searching the literature.

How to undertake a literature search.

Hierarchy of evidence.

Reviewing the literature.

Scenario.

Summary.

5 The Research Proposal: Research Design.

Introduction.

The focus of a research study.

Research paradigms.

Samples.

Quantitative research.

Qualitative research.

Summary.

6 The Research Proposal: Ethics in Research.

Introduction.

Introduction to ethics.

Research governance.

Summary.

7 The Research Proposal: Selecting Participants.

Introduction.

What is a sample?

Why use a sample?

Probability and non-probability.

Types of probability sample.

Types of non-probability sample.

The size of samples.

Eligibility criteria.

Summary.

8 The Research Proposal: Collecting Data.

Introduction.

Collecting data.

Quantitative research − data collection.

Qualitative research − data collection.

Summary.

9 The Research Proposal: Analysing Data.

Introduction.

Quantitative data analysis.

Data analysis.

Statistical tests.

Qualitative data analysis.

Summary.

10 The Research Proposal: Communicating Research Findings.

Introduction.

Writing a research report.

Writing for publication.

Issues associated with healthcare professionals and publication.

Presenting at conferences.

Summary.

11 The Research Proposal: Current Research Issues in Healthcare.

Introduction.

Ethics.

Funding issues.

Vested interests regarding the process and the reporting of research.

The politicisation of research.

The implementation of research fi ndings.

Problem-solving.

Summary.

Index.