Research in General Practice - Softcover

Howie, J. G. R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0412337304 ISBN 13: 9780412337307

Publisher: Springer, 1989

Synopsis

One of the paradoxes of general practice is that we emphasize on the one hand how important it is that the general practitioner learns to tolerate uncertainty, and then regret on the other hand that so few general practitioners research the uncertainties they find in their every­ day work. In the first chapter of my first edition of this book I suggested that general practitioners were missing opportunities to take part in a fascinating and rewarding professional activity because of an unnecessary fear of the unknown, and tried to encourage more to try research for themselves. There has been an impressive increase in what has been asked about, researched and written about in the last decade and this second edition tries to bring up to date the advice I think may help others to become involved in research for themselves. The basic principles of good research are of course timeless and apply to enquiry in any discipline. However, detail changes; there are new aids to reviewing literature, the increased emphasis in social science research has been matched by a range of new methods of collecting information, computers have revolutionized how data is handled and statistics is an ever-developing science in its own right. The chapters in this book which describe what can be referred to as the technology of the research process have been revised to reflect the impact of these recent developments rather than re-written.

About this title

Synopsis

This book focuses on research in general practice. When the first edition was written, GP research was in its infancy. This second edition is a complete rewrite of the first with the inclusion of new research examples, up-to-date references and new topical material. Starting from the earliest stage in the research process, that of recognizing opportunities for useful research, successive chapters proceed through the various stages of planning, carrying out and analyzing the results of different types of investigation. Based on the belief that no research is complete until the findings have been made public, chapters are included on how to present results through the written and spoken word. The book provides specific help for any general practitioners interested in developing research projects of their own, wanting trainees to do research, or simply seeking an improved understanding of how to examine and criticise the work of others. This book should be of interest to practising and trainee general practitioners.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0412337304
• ISBN 13: 9780412337307
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 253