A Handbook of Research Methods for Clinical and Health Psychology

by Miles, Jeremy; Gilbert, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780198527565
• ISBN10: 019852756X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-01
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Though psychology as a discipline has grown enormously in popularity in recent years, compulsory courses in research methods and statistics are seldom embarked upon with any great enthusiasm within the undergraduate and postgraduate communities. Many postgraduate and PhD students start theirresearch ill-equipped to design effective experiments and to properly analyse their results. This lack of knowledge also limits their ability to critically assess and evaluate research done by others. This book is a practical guide to carrying out research in health psychology and clinical psychology. It bridges the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study. As well as describing the various techniques and methods available to students, it provides them with a proper understanding of whata specific technique does - going beyond the introductory descriptions typical of most undergraduate methods books. The book describes both quantitative and qualitativeve approaches to data collection, providing valuable advice on methods ranging from psychometric testing to discourse analysis. Forboth undergraduate and postgraduate students, the book will be essential in making them aware of the full range of techniques available, helping them to design scientifically rigorous experiments, and effectively analyse their results.

Table of Contents

Contributors	vii
Introduction	ix
Thinking about research: issues and dilemmas	1	(14)
Paul Gilbert
Chris Irons
Sampling in health and clinical psychology research	15	(12)
Heather Buchanan
Neil Coulson
Ethical research is better research	27	(10)
Bruce Napier
Research with children	37	(10)
Sally-Ann Clarke
Jo Lawford
Linda Sheppard
Christine Eiser
The measurement of physiological outcomes in health and clinical psychology	47	(18)
Mark A. Wetherell
Kav Vedhara
Semi-structured interviewing	65	(14)
Fiona Fylan
Using focus groups: exploring the meanings of health and illness	79	(16)
Sue Wilkinson
Using and evaluating psychometric measures: practical and theoretical considerations	95	(16)
Darcy Santor
The use of diary methodologies in health and clinical psychology	111	(14)
Eamonn Ferguson
Analysis of repertory grids in clinical practice	125	(22)
Chris Leach
Kate Freshwater
Descriptive and interpretive approaches to qualitative research	147	(14)
Robert Elliott
Ladislav Timulak
Discursive approaches	161	(14)
Elizabeth Stokoe
Sally Wiggins
Experimental methods in clinical and health research	175	(10)
Andy Field
Graham Davey
The importance of considering effect size and statistical power in research	185	(8)
David Clark-Carter
Reliability	193	(12)
Susanne Hempel
Analysing categorical data	205	(12)
Chris Fife-Schaw
General and generalised linear models	217	(20)
Jeremy Miles
Survival analysis	237	(12)
Peter Watson
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in clinical and health psychology	249	(12)
Mark Shevlin
Applications of structural equation modelling in clinical and health psychology research	261	(18)
Rick H. Hoyle
Some statistical and graphical strategies for exploring the effect of interventions in health research	279	(16)
Gary Adamson
Brendan Bunting
Meta-analysis	295	(14)
Andy Field
Index	309