Research methods in health : investigating health and health services

Preface to the fifth editionAcknowledgementsSection I: Investigating health services and health: the scope of research1. Evaluating health services: multidisciplinary collaboration2. Social research on health: sociological and psychological concepts and approaches3. Quality of life: concepts, measurements and patient perception4. Health needs and their assessment: demography and epidemiology5. Costing health services: health economicsSection II: The philosophy, theory and practice of research6. The philosophical framework of measurement7. The principles of researchSection III: Quantitative research: sampling and research methods8. Sample size and sampling for quantitative and qualitative research9. Quantitative research: surveys10. Quantitative research: experiments and other analytic methods of investigation11. Sample selection and group assignment methods in experiments and other analytic methodsSection IV: The tools of quantitative research12. Data collection methods in quantitative research: questionnaires, interviews and their response rates13. Questionnaire design14. Techniques of survey interviewing15. Preparation of quantitative data for coding and analysisSection V: Qualitative and mixed research methods16. Unstructured and structured observational studies17. Unstructured interviewing18. Focus groups19. Mixed research approachesGlossaryReferencesIndex

Research Methods in Health, Fifth Edition is an essential companion for students and researchers of health and health services at all levels, health clinicians and policy-makers with responsibility for applying research findings and judging the soundness of research.

Ann Bowling is a sociologist, specialising in research on ageing, research methods, quality of life, public and social health. She was Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton, UK (2012–17), where she is now Visiting Professor. Ann was awarded the Highly Commended book prize for the 4th edition of Research Methods in Health at the 2015 BMA Medical Book Awards.