The Handbook of Midwifery Research

Description

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

Table of Contents

Foreword (Soo Downe).
Preface.
About the book.
About the authors.
Acknowledgements.

Part I Understanding research.

Chapter 1 Introduction to midwifery research.

• Introducing research.
• Types of research knowledge.
• Audit and research.
• Introducing qualitative research.
• Introducing quantitative research.
• The importance of evidence-based practice.
• Summary.

Chapter 2 Finding the evidence.

• Introduction to finding evidence.
• Literature searching.
• Literature review.
• Sources of evidence.
• Using a search strategy.
• Structured review.
• Systematic review.
• Summary.

Chapter 3 Making sense of the evidence.

• Introduction to critiquing research evidence.
• Critiquing qualitative research.
• Critiquing quantitative research.
• Hierarchy of evidence.
• Differences between qualitative and quantitative research.
• Summary.

Part II Undertaking research.

Chapter 4 Data collection techniques.

• Introduction to data collection.
• Qualitative data collection techniques.
• Undertaking a research interview.
• Quantitative data collection techniques.
• Questionnaires.
• Summary.

Chapter 5 Ethics and research governance.

• Introduction.
• Introducing ethics and research.
• History of ethics and research.
• Principles of ethics.
• Research governance.
• Ethical Issues relating to midwifery research.
• Gaining ethical approval.
• Summary.

Chapter 6 Data analysis.

• Introduction to data analysis.
• Qualitative data analysis.
• Quantitative data analysis methods.
• A basic understanding of statistics.
• Summary.

Chapter 7 Research dissemination.

• Introduction.
• The dissertation.
• Research degree – proposals.
• Writing skills.
• Getting your work published.
• Impact of publications.
• Presenting a conference paper.
• Useful resources.
• Becoming a researcher.
• Summary.

Appendix A.
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
Appendix D.

Glossary.
References.
Index.

Author Information

Dr Mary Steen is Research Fellow in Midwifery at University of Central Lancashire / RCM (joint appointment). She is interested in a wide remit of midwifery and women’s health issues. Her specific focus has been on the care and consequences of perineal trauma after childbirth. Her research work has developed of a new pain relief treatment (femepad). She has published her work in several health related journals and presented at conferences. Her work has received several awards for original research and clinical innovation.