We offer a wide range of books to support the research process, you can search our full catalogue via the SWIMS Library Catalogue.
Listed below are a selection of our most current titles, which are relevant to the planning stage of your research. Click on the title links to check availability, and contact us if you would like any assistance in obtaining the books.
Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches by
This best-selling text pioneered the comparison of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research design. For all three approaches, John W. Creswell and new co-author J. David Creswell include a preliminary consideration of philosophical assumptions, key elements of the research process, a review of the literature, an assessment of the use of theory in research applications, and reflections about the importance of writing and ethics in scholarly inquiry. New to this Edition: Updated discussion on designing a proposal for a research project and on the steps in designing a research study Additional content on epistemological and ontological positioning in relation to the research question and chosen methodology and method Additional updates on the transformative worldview Expanded coverage on specific approaches such as case studies, participatory action research, and visual methods Additional information about qualitative and quantitative data analysis, social media, online qualitative methods, and mentoring and reflexivity in qualitative methods Incorporation of action research and program evaluation in mixed methods and coverage of the latest advances in the mixed methods field Additional information about causality and its relationship to statistics in quantitative methods Incorporation of writing discussion sections into each of the three methodologies An invaluable guide for students and researchers across the social and behavioural sciences.
Doing Research in the Real World by
From first planning to writing up your research, this complete guide will help you push your project forward. Walking you through every step you need to take, it helps you build your knowledge of theory and methods and offers straightforward guidance to empower you to make good research decisions and learn best practice. This fifth edition: Draws on over 70 case studies of research in action to demonstrate potential pitfalls - and how to avoid them. Adds a new chapter on data management, providing how-to guidance on storing your research data. Provides more than 150 activities to help you develop your understanding of key concepts and advance your research methods knowledge. Illustrates how research methods skills transfer to the workplace, helping you boost your employability. Accompanied by online resources including videos, case studies and further reading that bring methods to life, this accessible book is still the definitive research companion for any student doing a research project.
The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project by
This practical book sets out how to approach each stage of your research project, from choosing a research design and methodology to collecting and analysing data and communicating your results - and showcases best practice along the way. Packed with pragmatic guidance for tackling research in the real world, this fourth edition: Offers support for diving into a project using digital data, with how-to guidance on conducting online and social media research Empowers you to confidently disseminate your work and present with impact Helps you map out your research journey and put a plan in place with decision trees in every chapter Challenges you to be reflective and critical about the research you consume and undertake Zina O′Leary′s detailed and down-to-earth approach gives you the research skills and momentum you need to successfully complete your research project.
Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design (International Student Edition) by
In the Fourth Edition of this bestselling book, John W Creswell and new co-author Cheryl N Poth explore the philosophical underpinnings, history and key elements of each of five qualitative inquiry traditions: narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and case study - putting them side by side, so that we can see the differences. The authors relate research designs to each of the traditions of enquiry. They compare theoretical frameworks and ways to employ standards of quality, as well as strategies for writing introductions to studies, collecting data, analyzing data, writing a narrative and verifying results. New in this edition: Updated materials on each tradition More on interpretive frameworks and ethics More visual depictions of the five approaches Two new topical articles in Chapter 5, reproduced in full in the appendices.
Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences by
Now in its 7th edition this textbook is a must have for any health professional student. It provides a comprehensive overview of health research, in a concise and easy to read format using examples directly related to the health sciences. It helps students understand health research models, and how research goes on to inform and improve evidence-based clinical practice. For practitioners it provides guidance on published research in journals, providing an essential tool to keep their practice evidence based. Uses simple language and demystifies research jargon Covers both quantitative and qualitative research methodology, taking a very practical approach Provides an extensive glossary for better understanding of the language of research Fully updated online interactive self-assessment tests including MCQs, true or false questions and short answer questions.
Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Healthcare Research by
The Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Healthcare Research is a practical, concise, and easy-to-use reference for the full range of clinical and healthcare research topics, while incorporating evidence based medicine. Comprehensively providing a wide breadth of knowledge, this handbook clearlycovers both the qualitative and quantitative aspects.This handbook includes clear instructions on the legislative requirements as well as the practical requirements of commissioning, conducting, analysing, and reporting research for those in clinical or healthcare practice, education or training. This book has been written with Good Clinical Practice(GCP) education in mind, giving valuable information needed for the accredited certificates and diploma-level benchmark exams now commonly required by employers.Whether you need practical advice on setting up and running a trial, negotiating regulations, learning vital research skills, or to study the underpinning concepts of research methods, this handbook will give you the vital information, clinical evidence, and guidance you need.
Doing your research project : a guide for first-time researchers by
*Interested in purchasing Doing Your Research Project as a SmartBook? Visit https: //connect2.mheducation.com/join/?c=bellwaters7e to register for access today* Step-by-step advice on completing an outstanding research project. This is the market-leading book for anyone conducting a research project, whether for the first time or as an experienced researcher honing their skills. Clear, concise and readable, this bestselling resource provides a practical, step-by-step guide from initial concept to completion of your research report. Thoroughly updated but retaining its well-loved style, this seventh edition provides: - A brand new first chapter outlining what it means to carry out research, the responsibilities of the researcher, the research journey, and the 'intentional' and 'unintentional' roles of a researcher. - An extensive update to chapter nine on using social media in research , to include ethical considerations and how the researcher can use and reference information collected via these platforms and create collaborative connections. - An online review of the latest tools for collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data gathered from social media sites , such as Survey Monkey and Google Forms. - Further coverage on how to protect research participants , including advice from the NHS on how to conduct research in health-based settings. - More detailed coverage of how to conduct effective online literature searches , not only using Google but also other research-based search engines such as PubMed and professionally-focussed sites. - To support your learning, questions at the end of each chapter , which prompt you to reflect on your research journey. This practical, no-nonsense guide is vital reading for all those embarking on undergraduate or postgraduate study, irrespective of discipline, and for professionals in such fields as social science, education and health. 'The latest edition provides extensive coverage of all that a research student might need to know. The expanse of the topics covered enables this book to be indispensable to a great range of students, not only at different levels of study but also in a variety of disciplines. Bell and Waters present an honest and practical look at a daunting academic undertaking and provide the student with a resource that is currently has no parallel. This new edition brings the text up to date with a look at some of the more creative approaches the research project might take and challenges students to think before making research decisions.' Dr Susan Schutz PhD, MSc, RNT, RGN, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, UK
Understanding Research for Nursing Students by 
Research Coproduction in Healthcare by
A ground-breaking and rigorous presentation of coproduction in research In Research Coproduction in Healthcare, a team of experienced applied health researchers and decision makers deliver a robust exploration of collaborative ways on how to plan and conduct healthcare research. The book explores relational skills that are essential to achieving successful coproduction, including trust through humility, ongoing communication, emotional intelligence, and the structures and processes required to work with a range of knowledge users. It also sets out the fundamentals of research coproduction and its transformative potential for more effective and efficient health systems and improved health outcomes. Readers will also find: A thorough introduction to the planning, implementation and evaluation of research coproduction, including how to write a successful research coproduction proposal Comprehensive explorations of capacity-building and infrastructure requirements Practical discussions of the theory of coproduction, including treatments of power and tokenism In-depth reflections on the essential building blocks of research coproduction Perfect for researchers, knowledge users, funders, trainees and organizations, Research Coproduction in Healthcare will also earn a place in the libraries of coproduction teams, policymakers, clinicians, and health system managers.
Please see below a list of relevant ebooks which you can read to support your research journey.
You will need an NHS OpenAthens account to access the full-text, it is quick and easy to register for an NHS OpenAthens account.
Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Healthcare Research by 
An Introduction to Qualitative Research by 
LGBTQ Health Research by 
The Research Process in Nursing by We offer access to thousands of electronic journals. Please use the search box below to search our subscriptions, or, scroll down to see a list of research relevant journals.
You will need an NHS OpenAthens account to access the full-text, it is quick and easy to register for an NHS OpenAthens account.
Before you start your research project, do you know what evidence already exists around your chosen topic?
You can use our Knowledge & Library Hub to search for evidence yourself (try the search box below), or alternatively, the Library offers an evidence search service - our professional team of Knowledge & Evidence Specialists will search for the latest evidence in your chosen field for you, using high quality healthcare information databases, point of care tools, grey literature sources and more.
To request an evidence search, please complete the online form here if you work for Somerset Foundation Trust library or Primary Care with as many details as possible. We'd be grateful if you could give us as much notice as possible.
Please note, we won't conduct evidence searches for academic assignments - instead we will signpost you to training resources, or offer a 1:1 assisted search if we have capacity.
Please visit our Library Skills Training Guide to find lots of resources to support you.
Self-directed learning is also available from eLearning for Healthcare:
Individual or group training sessions are available from the library by request - please contact your local NHS library service at library@somersetft.nhs.uk (SFT staff) or library@ydh.nhs.uk (YDH staff) to check availability. Training can be delivered face-to-face or via MS Teams.