Introduction to Research

by Depoy, Elizabeth, Ph.D.; Gitlin, Laura N., Ph.D.

• ISBN13: 9780815109792
• ISBN10: 0815109792
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-12-01
• Publisher: Mosby Inc

Summary

This introductory textbook demystifies the research process, providing a foundation from which to critique and understand research designs and their applications to healthcare settings. Covering both quantitative and qualitative research it is divided into three parts. The first gives the philosophical background of research, while the other two cover the thinking and action processes of research. Throughout the text the value of multiple research strategies are emphasised. An innovative and practical text for undergraduates in any of the allied health therapies.

Table of Contents

PART I Introduction	2	(23)
Chapter 1 Research as an important way of knowing	2	(12)
Why is research necessary?	3	(2)
What is research?	5	(7)
Research as multiple systematic strategies	6	(1)
Research as thought and action processes	7	(1)
Deductive reasoning and actions	7	(1)
Inductive reasoning and actions	8	(1)
Abductive reasoning and actions	9	(1)
Differences in knowledge	9	(1)
Research as four basic characteristics	10	(1)
Logical	11	(1)
Understandable	11	(1)
Confirmable	12	(1)
Useful	12	(1)
Summary	12	(1)
Exercises	12	(2)
Chapter 2 Essentials of research	14	(11)
Ten essentials of research	15	(7)
Identify a philosophical foundation	16	(2)
Frame a research problem	18	(1)
Determine supporting knowledge	18	(1)
Identify a theory base	19	(1)
Develop a specific question or query	19	(1)
Select a design strategy	20	(1)
Set study boundaries	21	(1)
Obtain information	21	(1)
Analyze information and draw conclusions	21	(1)
Report and disseminate conclusions	22	(1)
Ethical considerations	22	(1)
Summary	22	(1)
Exercises	23	(2)
PART II Thinking processes	25	(83)
Chapter 3 Philosophical foundations	25	(13)
Philosophical foundation of experimental-type research	26	(1)
Philosophical foundation of naturalistic inquiry	27	(1)
Implications of philosophical differences for design	28	(1)
Research traditions	28	(2)
Experimental-type	29	(1)
Naturalistic inquiry	29	(1)
Integrating two research traditions	30	(4)
Selecting a research tradition and design strategy	34	(2)
Purpose of research	34	(2)
Preference for knowing	36	(1)
Level of knowledge development	36	(1)
Summary	36	(1)
Exercises	37	(1)
Chapter 4 Framing the problem	38	(8)
Identifying a topic	39	(3)
Professional experience	40	(1)
Societal trends	40	(1)
Professional trends	41	(1)
Research studies	41	(1)
Existing theory	42	(1)
Framing a research problem	42	(2)
Interest, relevance, and need	43	(1)
Research purpose	43	(1)
Descriptive	43	(1)
Explanatory	43	(1)
Predictive	43	(1)
Epistemology-preferred way of knowing	44	(1)
Resources	44	(1)
Summary	44	(1)
Exercises	45	(1)
Chapter 5 Developing a knowledge base through review of the literature	46	(15)
Why review the literature?	47	(3)
Determine what research has been conducted on the topic of inquiry	47	(1)
Determine level of theory and knowledge development relevant to your project	48	(1)
Level of knowledge	48	(1)
How knowledge is generated	48	(1)
Boundaries of a study	49	(1)
Determine relevance of the current knowledge base to your problem area	49	(1)
Provide a rationale for selection of the research strategy	50	(1)
How to conduct a literature search	50	(9)
Step 1: Determine when to conduct a search	51	(1)
Step 2: Delimit what is searched	51	(1)
Step 3: Access databases for periodicals, books, and documents	52	(1)
Searching periodicals and journals	52	(2)
Searching books and other documents	54	(1)
Step 4: Organize information	55	(1)
Charting the literature	55	(1)
Concept/construct matrix	56	(1)
Step 5: Critically evaluate the literature	56	(2)
Step 6: Write the literature review	58	(1)
Summary	59	(1)
Exercises	60	(1)
Chapter 6 Theory in research	61	(12)
Why is theory important?	62	(1)
What is theory?	63	(3)
Levels of abstraction	63	(2)
Levels of abstraction and design selection	65	(1)
Role of theory in design selection	66	(1)
Theory in experimental-type inquiry	67	(2)
Theory in naturalistic inquiry	69	(2)
Summary	71	(1)
Exercises	72	(1)
Chapter 7 Formulating research questions and queries	73	(14)
Research questions in experimental-type design	74	(5)
Questions that seek to describe phenomena	74	(2)
Questions that explore relationships among phenomena	76	(1)
Questions that test knowledge	77	(1)
Hypotheses	78	(1)
Research queries in naturalistic inquiry	79	(5)
Classical ethnography	81	(1)
Phenomenology	82	(1)
Grounded theory	82	(1)
Differences in approaches	83	(1)
Summary	84	(1)
Exercises	85	(2)
Chapter 8 Language and thinking processes	87	(21)
Experimental-type language and thinking processes	88	(1)
Sequence of experimental-type research	89	(1)
Structure of experimental-type research	90	(2)
Concepts	90	(1)
Constructs	90	(1)
Definitions	91	(1)
Variables	91	(1)
Hypotheses	92	(1)
Plan of design	92	(8)
Bias	92	(1)
Manipulation	93	(1)
Control	94	(1)
Validity	95	(4)
Reliability	99	(1)
Naturalistic language and thinking processes	100	(5)
Purpose	100	(1)
Context specific	100	(1)
Complexity and pluralistic perspective of reality	101	(1)
Transferability of findings	101	(1)
Flexibility	102	(1)
Language	102	(1)
Emic and ethic perspectives	103	(1)
Gathering information and analysis	104	(1)
Summary	105	(1)
Exercises	105	(3)
PART III Design approaches	108	(39)
Chapter 9 Experimental-type designs	108	(19)
True-experimental designs	109	(3)
Randomization	110	(1)
Control group	111	(1)
Manipulation	112	(1)
Variations of experimental designs	112	(4)
Posttest-only designs	112	(1)
Solomon four-group designs	113	(1)
Factorial designs	114	(1)
Counterbalance designs	114	(2)
Quasi-experimental designs	116	(2)
Nonequivalent control group designs	117	(1)
Interrupted time series designs	117	(1)
Pre-experimental designs	118	(2)
One-shot case study	119	(1)
Pretest-posttest design	119	(1)
Static group comparison	119	(1)
Non-experimental designs	120	(2)
Survey designs	120	(1)
Passive observation designs	121	(1)
Ex post facto designs	121	(1)
Criteria for selecting appropriate and adequate designs	122	(2)
Examining outcomes of intervention	124	(1)
Summary	125	(1)
Exercises	125	(2)
Chapter 10 Naturalistic inquiry	127	(14)
Endogenous research	128	(2)
Participatory action research	130	(2)
Critical theory	132	(1)
Phenomenology	133	(1)
Heuristic research	134	(1)
Life history	134	(2)
Ethnography	136	(1)
Grounded theory	137	(1)
Summary	138	(1)
Exercises	139	(2)
Chapter 11 Case study designs	141	(8)
What is a case study?	142	(1)
Structure of case studies	142	(2)
Design sequence	144	(3)
Summary	147	(1)
Exercises	147	(2)
PART IV Action processes	149	(154)
Chapter 12 Setting the boundaries of a study	149	(13)
Why set boundaries to a study?	150	(2)
Involving humans in research	152	(3)
Full disclosure	153	(1)
Confidentiality	154	(1)
Voluntary participation	154	(1)
Institutional Review Board procedures	155	(2)
Informed consent	157	(2)
Subjects, respondents, informants, or participants	159	(1)
Summary	159	(1)
Exercises	160	(2)
Chapter 13 Boundary setting in experimental-type designs	162	(14)
Sampling process	163	(2)
Probability sampling	165	(5)
Simple random sampling	168	(1)
Systematic sampling	169	(1)
Stratified random sampling	169	(1)
Cluster sampling	170	(1)
Nonprobability methods	170	(2)
Convenience sampling	171	(1)
Purposive sampling	171	(1)
Snowball sampling	172	(1)
Quota sampling	172	(1)
Comparison of sample and population	172	(1)
Determining sample size	173	(1)
Summary	174	(1)
Exercises	175	(1)
Chapter 14 Boundary setting in naturalistic designs	176	(10)
Ways of setting boundaries	177	(2)
Geographical location	177	(1)
Cultural groups	177	(1)
Personal experience	178	(1)
Concepts	178	(1)
Involving research participants	179	(4)
Maximum variation	181	(1)
Homogeneous selection	181	(1)
Theory-based selection	181	(1)
Confirming and disconfirming cases	182	(1)
Extreme or deviant case	182	(1)
Typical case	182	(1)
How many study participants?	182	(1)
Process of setting boundaries and selecting informants	183	(1)
Summary	184	(1)
Exercises	185	(1)
Chapter 15 Collecting information	186	(8)
Principles of collecting information	187	(1)
Watching, listening, and recording	188	(1)
Asking	189	(2)
Interviews	189	(1)
Questionnaires	190	(1)
Obtaining and examining materials	191	(2)
Unobtrusive methodology	192	(1)
Artifact review	192	(1)
Summary	193	(1)
Exercises	193	(1)
Chapter 16 Measurement in experimental-type research	194	(17)
Measurement process	195	(1)
Levels of measurement	196	(3)
Nominal	197	(1)
Ordinal	197	(1)
Interval	198	(1)
Ratio	198	(1)
Types of measure	199	(2)
Likert-type scale	199	(1)
Guttman scale	200	(1)
Semantic differential	201	(1)
Confidence in instruments	201	(6)
Reliability	201	(2)
Stability	203	(1)
Tests of internal consistency	203	(1)
Equivalence	204	(1)
Validity	204	(2)
Content validity	206	(1)
Criterion validity	206	(1)
Construct validity	207	(1)
Practical considerations	207	(1)
Instrument construction	207	(1)
Administering the instrument	208	(1)
Summary	209	(1)
Exercises	210	(1)
Chapter 17 Gathering information in naturalistic inquiry	211	(24)
Four principles	212	(4)
Investigator involvement	212	(1)
Gathering and analyzing information	213	(1)
Time commitment in the field	214	(1)
Multiple data-gathering strategies	215	(1)
The process	216	(3)
Context selection and getting in the field	216	(2)
Learning the ropes	218	(1)
Data-gathering strategies	219	(6)
Watching and listening	219	(2)
Asking	221	(2)
Four components of asking	223	(1)
Access	223	(1)
Description	223	(1)
Focus	223	(1)
Verification	224	(1)
Examining materials	224	(1)
Recording information	225	(3)
Field notes	225	(3)
Audiotape	227	(1)
Videotape	227	(1)
Accuracy in data collection	228	(4)
Multiple data gathers	228	(1)
Triangulation	229	(1)
Saturation	229	(1)
Member checks	229	(1)
Reflexivity	230	(2)
Audit trail	232	(1)
Peer debriefing	232	(1)
Summary	232	(1)
Exercises	233	(2)
Chapter 18 Preparing data for analysis	235	(11)
Approaches in experimental-type research	236	(4)
Approaches in naturalistic inquiry	240	(4)
Summary	244	(1)
Exercises	244	(2)
Chapter 19 Statistical analysis for experimental-type research	246	(26)
What is statistical analysis?	247	(2)
Level 1: Descriptive statistics	249	(11)
Frequency distribution	249	(3)
Measures of central tendency	252	(1)
Mode	253	(1)
Median	253	(1)
Mean	254	(1)
Measures of variability	255	(1)
Range	256	(1)
Interquartile range	256	(1)
Sum of squares	257	(1)
Variance	257	(1)
Standard deviation	257	(1)
Bivariate descriptive statistics	258	(1)
Contingency tables	258	(1)
Correlational analysis	259	(1)
Level 2: Drawing inferences	260	(9)
Action 1: State the hypothesis	262	(1)
Action 2: Select a significance level	263	(1)
One-and two-tailed levels of significance	263	(1)
Type I error	264	(1)
Type II error	264	(1)
Action 3: Compute a calculated value	264	(1)
Parametric statistics	264	(3)
Nonparametric statistics	267	(1)
Choose a statistical test	268	(1)
Action 4: Obtain a critical value	268	(1)
Action 5: Reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis	268	(1)
Level 3: Association and relationships	269	(1)
Summary	270	(1)
Exercises	271	(1)
Chapter 20 Analysis in naturalistic inquiry	272	(15)
Stage one: Analysis in the field	274	(5)
Inductive and abductive thinking process	275	(1)
Developing categories	276	(2)
Developing taxonomies	278	(1)
Discovering underlying themes	278	(1)
Stage two: Formal report writing	279	(1)
Examples of the analytical processes	280	(3)
Grounded theory	280	(1)
Ethnography	280	(3)
Accuracy and rigor in analysis	283	(2)
Triangulation	283	(1)
Saturation	284	(1)
Member checks	284	(1)
Reflexivity	284	(1)
Audit trail	284	(1)
Peer debriefing	284	(1)
Summary	285	(1)
Exercises	285	(2)
Chapter 21 Reporting and disseminating conclusions	287	(10)
Principles for writing	288	(2)
Clarity	288	(1)
Purpose	288	(1)
Audience specific	289	(1)
Citations	289	(1)
Writing an experimental-type report	290	(1)
Writing a naturalistic report	291	(3)
Ethnography	293	(1)
Phenomenology	294	(1)
Writing an integrated report	294	(1)
Dissemination	294	(1)
Sharing written reports	294	(1)
Publishing your work	295	(1)
Sharing your research through other methods	295	(1)
Summary	295	(1)
Exercises	296	(1)
Chapter 22 Stories from the field	297	(6)
Just beginning	298	(1)
"I'll do it for you, sweetie,"	298	(1)
In search of significance!	299	(1)
Is health care effective?	299	(1)
Elevator insight	299	(1)
A "good" research subject	299	(1)
A "bad" research subject	300	(1)
Wow, you got it!	300	(3)
Glossary	303	(12)
Index	315