The Handbook of Midwifery Research (eBook)

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.

Foreword, ix
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

"This book is clear, concise and well-referenced." (Nursing
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)