Overview

Written for graduate students and practicing clinicians, this book provides comprehensive knowledge about understanding and conducting clinical research. Specifically, readers will learn to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different research methodologies, apply the results of research to clinical practice and decision making, and understand the importance of research ethics.

Importantly, this is the only book to take into account qualitative research, evidence-based practice, and to provide a detailed discussion of research ethics.

Review

• Sheila V. Stager, BSc, MS, MS, PhD (Voice Treatment Center), Doody's Review Service, (2008):
  "This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in research. The inclusion of information on ethics, grant writing, treatment outcomes, and evidence-based practice as well as the more standard information on design and statistics set this apart from other research design books. The text is well organized, and the writing is clear and understandable. It would make an excellent textbook for a research design course."

Audience

Primary Subject: Speech and Language Pathology / Research Methods
Audience Level: Professional/Textbook - Desk Copy

• Chapter 1 Introduction to Research
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Introduction
  Importance of Research in Communication Disorders
  Historical Evolution of Research in Communication Disorders
  Sources of Knowledge
  Types of Research
  • Descriptive Research
  • Exploratory Research
  • Experimental Research
  • Survey Research
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    References
• Chapter 2 Research Ethics in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Need for Ethical Guidelines
  Historical Background
  Research Misconduct
  Issues in Research Ethics
  • Planning Research
  • Confidentiality
  • Informed Consent
  • Deception
  • Institutional Approval
  • Control Groups
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Mentoring
  • Maintenance of Research Records
  • Referencing of Sources
  • Authorship
  • Peer Review
  • Publication Correction
  • Evidence-Based Practice
    AAA Code of Ethics
    ASHA Code of Ethics
    Institutional Review Board
    Teaching Research Ethics
  • Content
  • Methods
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    References
• Chapter 3 Research Problems
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Basic Concepts and Terms
  Control of Variables
  Selecting a Topic
  Selecting a Research Problem
  Hypotheses and Theories
  Feasibility of a Research Project
  Budget Considerations and Preparation
  Summary
  Discussion Questions
  References
• Chapter 4 Locating, Accessing, and Assessing Information
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Introduction
  Locating Information
  Databases
  Online Journals
  Use of the World Wide Web
  Interlibrary Loan
  Manual Searches
  Evaluating Research
  Rating the Evidence
  Levels of Evidence
  Critical Appraisal
  Summary
  Discussion Questions
  References
• Chapter 5 Literature Reviews
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Organizing Literature Reviews
  Narrative Reviews
  Systematic Reviews
  Differences Between Narrative and Systematic Reviews
  Meta-Analysis
  Best-Evidence Synthesis
  Practice Guidelines
  Summary
  Discussion Questions
  References
• Chapter 6 Measurement
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Scales of Measurement
  • Nominal Level of Measurement
  • Ordinal Level of Measurement
  • Interval Level of Measurement
  • Ratio Level of Measurement
    Validity of Measurement
    Reliability of Measurement
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    References
• Chapter 7 Research Design and Strategy
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Introduction
  Characteristics of a Good Design
  Group Designs
  • Between-Subjects Design
  • Within-Subjects Design
  • Mixed-Group Design
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Group Designs
    Single-Subject Designs
    Sequential Clinical Trials
    Technologic Applications and Research Designs
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    References
• Chapter 8 Quantitative Research
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Characteristics of Quantitative Research
  Quantitative Research Designs
  • Nonexperimental Designs
  • Pre-experimental Designs
  • Quasiexperimental Designs
  • Single-Subject Designs
  • Experimental Designs
    Quantitative Analysis
  • Descriptive Statistics
  • Inferential Statistics
  • Multivariate Statistics
  • Meta-Analysis
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    References
• Chapter 9 Qualitative Research Methods
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Characteristics of Qualitative Research
  Advantages and Disadvantages of Qualitative Research
  Myths About Qualitative Research
  Qualitative Research Designs
  Data Collection
  • Self-Reports
  • Observation
  • Interviewing
  • Focus Groups
  • Document Analysis
    Sampling
    Analyzing Qualitative Data
    Evaluation of Qualitative Research
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    References
• Chapter 10 Multimethod Research
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Sequencing
  Research Designs
  Advantages and Disadvantages
  Data Analysis
  Evaluating Multimethod Research
  Summary
  Discussion Questions
  References
• Chapter 11 Reporting and Disseminating Research
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Reasons for Reporting Research
  Myths About Research Reports
  Time Management for Reporting Research
  • Procrastination
    Format of Research Reports
  • Abstracts
  • Key Words (Indexing Terms)
  • Author Contributions
  • Tables and Figures
    Writing Style
  • APA Format
  • References
  • Personal Pronouns
  • Avoiding Bias
    Permissions
    Rewriting and Revising
    Types of Research Reports
  • Journal Articles
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Textbooks
  • Presentations at Professional Meetings
    Evaluating and Reviewing Research Reports
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    References
• Chapter 12 Evaluating Tests and Treatments
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Evaluation Issues
  Tests
  Treatment
  Summary
  Discussion Questions
  References
• Chapter 13 Evidence-Based Practice: Application of Research to Clinical Practice
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Defining Evidence-Based Practice and Research Utilization
  Myths About Evidence-Based Practice
  Research Utilization in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
  Efforts to Implement Evidence-Based Practice
  Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice
  Strategies for Implementing Evidence-Based Practice
  Communicating the Evidence
  Summary
  Discussion Questions
  References
• Chapter 14 Research Grants
  Chapter Outline
  Learning Objectives
  Introduction
  Types of Awards
  The Grants Acquisition Process
  Grant Seeking
  • General Principles of Grant Seeking
    Grant Proposal Writing
  • Preliminary Considerations
  • The Grant Proposal
  • Budget
  • The Idea/Problem
  • Unsolicited and Solicited Proposals
  • Basic Principles of Grant Proposal Writing
  • Suggestions for Grant Proposal Writing
  • Characteristics of a Fundable Research Grant Proposal
  • The Proposal Review Process
    Grant Management
    Summary
    Discussion Questions
    Study Exercises
    References
• Glossary
• Index

About The Authors

David Irwin, Ph.D.

David L. Irwin, Ph.D., is Professor and Head in the Department of Clinical Services as well as Director of Children's Center LSUHSC-School of Allied Health Professions.

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Mary Pannbacker, Ph.D.

Mary Pannbacker, Ph.D., is a Professor in Speech-Language Pathology Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Allied Health Professions, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport

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Norman Lass, Ph.D.

Norman J. Lass, Ph.D., is Professor of Speech Pathology and Audiology, West Virginia University.

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