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Clinical Research in Mental Health
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Clinical Research in Mental Health
A Practical Guide

Edited by:

March 2002 | 200 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"I was most impressed with the completeness and ease of reading of this comprehensive resource for curious students and their teachers. From formulating the research question to publication of the outcome, this reader-friendly guide outlines the key elements needed for a successful first attempt at scientific investigation. Unlike most educational manuals, this book will never become obsolete. It belongs on the bookshelves of every residency and fellowship training director, academic scientist and clinician."

— R. BRUCE LYDIARD PHD, MD,

Professor of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina

"So many students and professionals alike are terrified to try research and have no resource to help them. This book will 'demystify' the research process, thus serving this very important purpose. It is informative, easy to read, and very user friendly. A true 'paperback' research mentor…. My complements to the authors. They have taken their extensive research and clinical experience and put it in an easy-to-read guide to a very difficult topic."

BRAD RIEMANN, Centre for Study

& Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Oconomowoc, WI

"These authors…. all have experience with research and have trained students at all levels. They also work in 'real-world' research settings and are familiar with many of the practical problems (and solutions) with doing research in these settings….Overall, this is a strong volume that will make a nice contribution. It is more accessible than many of the volumes on research methodology and the clinical focus will reach an important audience. The authors repeatedly 'teach by example." This is a good strategy and they generally use it effectively."

— DEBRA HOPE, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

The philosophy behind this research methods text is to provide practical, how-to guidance in an accessible format. The authors hope to reach clinical students and postdoctoral trainees at the early stages of training to muster excitement by showing that research need not be either dull or threatening. Their goal is to "demystify the research process," with a style that is informative yet easy-to-read, humorous, and user friendly. One of our reviewers puts it best when he describes the book as "a true 'paperback' research mentor." The authors hope to hook students on research early in their studies so that they see it as a natural extension of their work rather than as drudgery to be endured just to get a degree. The ultimate hope is that this will lead to more direct-care practitioners getting involved in research after they leave school. This book is also different from any other on the subject in being problem oriented. It will emphasize research methods that are appropriate to most clinical settings and will deal with many issues of clinical research that are often ignored by other research methods books. 


 
I. GETTING STARTED
 
1. An Introduction to Clinical Research
 
2. Why Do Research?
 
3. Generating Worthwhile Research Ideas & Setting an Action Plan
 
4. How to Read & Critically Evaluate Research Articles
 
5. Writing a Research Proposal
 
6. A Primer on Research Ethics
 
II. DATA & METHODS
 
7. Understanding Data
 
8. Guidelines for Collecting Sound Data
 
9. Understanding Variables
 
10. Handling Data & Using Statistics
 
III. COMMUNICATING YOUR FINDINGS
 
11. Presenting Your Findings
 
12. On Writing & Publishing

"I was most impressed with the completeness and ease of reading of this comprehensive resource for curious students and their teachers. From formulating the research question to publication of the outcome, this reader-friendly guide outlines the key elements needed for a successful first attempt at scientific investigation. Unlike most educational manuals, this book will never become obsolete. It belongs on the bookshelves of every residency and fellowship training director, academic scientist and clinician." 

R. Bruce Lydiard
Professor of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina

"So many students and professionals alike are terrified to try research and have no resource to help them. This book will ‘demystify’ the research process, thus serving this very important purpose. It is informative, easy to read, and very user friendly. A true ‘paperback’ research mentor…. My compliments to the authors. They have taken their extensive research and clinical experience and put it in an easy-to-read guide to a very difficult topic." 

Brad Riemann
Centre for Study & Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Oconomowoc, WI

"These authors…. all have experience with research and have trained students at all levels. They also work in ‘real-world’ research settings and are familiar with many of the practical problems (and solutions) with doing research in these settings….Overall, this is a strong volume that will make a nice contribution. It is more accessible than many of the volumes on research methodology and the clinical focus will reach an important audience. The authors repeatedly ‘teach by example." This is a good strategy and they generally use it effectively." 

Debra Hope
University of Nebraska, Lincoln

easy to read, great detail and experiences, and perfect for both students and practitioners. Very good "how to" guidance, very user friendly & it makes the research process easy to understand

Mr Dean McShane
School of Health & Social Care, Chester University
December 17, 2015

I elected to use a more simple text for the research analysis and synthesis course I teach.

Dr Judith Balcerzak
Graduate Psychology, California Lutheran University
September 24, 2014

The authors have come up with a really practical structure and content for this book. It is easy to find what you are looking for, as well as understaning how it fits into the overall subject. It covers all aspects from beginning thoughts and motivation, through to publishing, in a very readable style.

Mr Mike Bancroft
Counselling, Alton College
December 2, 2011

The sections are clearly broken down so information is quick and easy to find, taking you through processes in a logical order. Part II on data and methods gives a comprehensive guide to important areas of research methods important to doing research. Clear headings and diagrams are used effectively to add to an understanding of the key issues which may arise when doing research, analysing the data, and reporting on findings. Examples of good and bad posters etc. are given which clarifies potentially confusing topics for those submitting work to be published for the first time. Overall, this book covers a good amount of information in an accessible and witty way.

Mr Mike Bancroft
Counselling, Alton College
February 7, 2011

This is an excellent textbook which provides a really clear explanation of research and how to go about beginning the process which will be very useful for undergraduate mental health nursing students across the course and particularly in their final year.

Mrs Karen McMahon
School of Health, University of West of Scotland
January 8, 2010
Key features
  • A "how-to" problem-oriented approach that addresses practical aspects of research sure to be encountered during training and thereafter. Such an approach deals with many issues of clinical research that other methods books ignore or skimp (how to evaluate an idea before even beginning research; how to evaluate your own technical skills for a particular project; how to organize and code one's data; etc.)
  • Simple, clear language, with minimal use of scientific jargon that students might find intimidating.
  • Thorough coverage of clinical research issues with real-life examples from the authors' own research experiences, keeping material relevant and interesting.
  • "Tips" sections (e.g., tips on responding to editorial feedback; on preparing an effective oral presentation; on preparing an effective poster presentation; etc.)
  • Authors with considerable experience teaching clinical research methods, conducting research, and working in clinical practice, thus serving as strong models of the "scientist/practitioner" ideal they promote.
  • A Foreword by David Barlow of Boston University.

Sage College Publishing

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