Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences

Stephen Polgar works in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Shane A. Thomas is Professor and Director of Primary Care Research, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaHonorary Professor Research School in Population Health, Australian National UniversityProfessor and Director, International Institute for Primary Health Care Research,Health and Family Planning Capacity Building and Continuing Education Center of Shenzhen, China

• Section 1 Methodological foundations of health research1. Foundations of health research2. Quantitative and qualitative methods3. The research processSection 2 Research planning4. The formulation of research questions5. Sampling methods and external validity6. EthicsSection 3 Research designs7. Experimental designs and randomized controlled trials8. Surveys and quasi-experimental designs9. Qualitative researchSection 4 Data collection10. Questionnaires and survey design11. Mixed methods12. Interviewing techniques13. Measurement and observationSection 5 Descriptive statistics14. Organization and presentation of data15. Measures of central tendency and variability16. Standard scores and normal distributions17. CorrelationSection 6 Data analysis and inference18. Probability and confidence intervals19. Hypothesis testing: selection and use of statistical tests20. Effect size and the interpretation of evidence21. Qualitative data analysis22. Critical evaluation of published researchSection 7 Evaluation and dissemination of research results23. Synthesis of research evidence: systematic reviews and meta-analyses24. Translational research