The Handbook of Midwifery Research
1. Edition March 2011
238 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Research is a fundamental part of midwifery practice. However, not
everyone finds it easy to understand the basic principles, and
particularly the language of research. This accessible handbook
enables midwives and student midwives to firstly understand how to
search and make sense of research evidence, how to write a research
proposal and finally how to undertake a research study.
The Handbook of Midwifery Research specifically focuses
on the needs of midwives and students and helps increase the
knowledge and understanding of midwifery research, enabling the
reader to undertake research with confidence. With case studies,
learning objectives and clear examples throughout, this is an
essential purchase for any midwife or student wanting to understand
or undertake research. This handbook includes useful tools and
techniques to assist midwives and students to keep themselves
up-to-date with the best available evidence, enabling them to apply
this evidence to their own clinical practice.
* An essential resource for midwifery students as well as
qualified midwives
* Clear, straightforward, and accessible in style
* Provides midwives and students with the skills to undertake
research with confidence
* Provides examples throughout to apply research to midwifery
practice
* Includes a glossary of research terms
Soo Downe
Preface, xi
About the Book, xiii
About the authors, xv
Acknowledgements, xvii
Part I Understanding research
Chapter 1 Introduction to midwifery research, 3
Introducing research, 3
Types of research knowledge, 5
Audit and research, 7
Introducing qualitative research, 12
Introducing quantitative research, 22
The importance of evidence-based practice, 32
Summary, 39
Chapter 2 Finding the evidence, 40
Introduction to finding evidence, 40
Literature searching, 41
Literature review, 41
Sources of evidence, 44
Using a search strategy, 47
Structured review, 48
Systematic review, 50
Summary, 52
Chapter 3 Making sense of the evidence, 54
Introduction to critiquing research evidence, 54
Critiquing qualitative research, 55
Critiquing quantitative research, 59
Hierarchy of evidence, 61
Differences between qualitative and quantitative research, 66
Summary, 70
Part II Undertaking research
Chapter 4 Data collection techniques, 73
Introduction to data collection, 73
Qualitative data collection techniques, 75
Undertaking a research interview, 83
Quantitative data collection techniques, 90
Questionnaires, 93
Summary, 100
Chapter 5 Ethics and research governance, 102
Introduction, 102
Introducing ethics and research, 103
History of ethics and research, 103
Principles of ethics, 107
Research governance, 110
Ethical issues relating to midwifery research, 112
Gaining ethical approval, 114
Summary, 117
Chapter 6 Data analysis, 119
Introduction to data analysis, 119
Qualitative data analysis, 120
Quantitative data analysis methods, 125
A basic understanding of statistics, 133
Summary, 147
Chapter 7 Research dissemination, 149
Introduction, 149
The dissertation, 149
Research degree - proposals, 153
Writing skills, 156
Getting your work published, 159
Impact of publications, 164
Presenting a conference paper, 165
Useful resources, 166
Becoming a researcher, 167
Summary, 168
Appendix A, 170
Appendix B, 176
Contents vii
Appendix C, 177
Appendix D, 193
Glossary, 196
References, 202
Index, 216
Standard, 7 March 2012)
"I found this book instantly likeable. It is easy to locate the
required information, the content overall is excellent, and it
outweighs its competitors by far. It is reasonably priced, and I
most definitely highly recommend it." (The Royal College Of
Midwives, 18 January 2012)
"This practical handbook of midwifery research is clear,
concise, informative and very user-friendly ... It is reasonably
priced, and I most definitely highly recommend it." (Midwives, 1
November 2011)
"The volume includes accessible examples throughout and a
glossary of research terms." (Booknews, 1 June 2011)
