Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Lauren K. Nelson, PhD, is an associate professor and head of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Since coming to UNI in 1990, she has taught courses in articulation and phonological disorders, child language disorders, phonetics, prevention of communication disorders, and research methods. Her educational background includes a BS degree from Northern Michigan University and an MA degree from Central Michigan University. After working for 2 years in an Iowa area education agency, she returned to school and completed her PhD studies at Memphis State University (now University of Memphis).+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Jaimie L. Gilbert, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Northern Iowa. She received a B.A. in Communicative Disorders and in Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Sciences (Audiology) from the University of Illinois. Dr. Gilbert completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. Her research interests include auditory-visual integration and talker variation in speech perception.

Chapter 1. Empirical and Nonempirical Research: An Overview
Systematic Inquiry
Some Roles for Research
Types of Research
Variables
Getting Started with Research
Summary
Review Questions
References
Appendix 1–1. Tips for Reading a Research Article

Chapter 2. Ethical Considerations
Protection of Human Participants
Special Protections
Historical Perspective
Institutional Review Boards
Research Integrity
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
Credit for Intellectual Effort
Attribution of Ideas
Accuracy in Reporting Information
Data Management
Confidentiality and Privacy
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References
Appendix 2–1. Research Scenario

Chapter 3. Identifying and Formulating Research Questions
Identifying Important Questions
Formulating Research Questions
Ways to Formulate a Research Problem
Evidence-Based Practice Questions
Criteria for Well-Formed Questions
Establishing Validity and Reliability
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References

Chapter 4. Completing a Literature Search and Literature Review
Purposes of a Literature Search
Planning and Conducting a Search
    Search Tools
Designing a Search Strategy
Organizing and Documenting Your Literature Search
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References
Appendix 4–1. Electronic Literature Search

Chapter 5. Writing a Literature Review
Research Phases
Purposes of a Literature Review
Organization
Note Taking
Writing the Paper
Example of an Outline
Summary and Conclusions Section
Citations and References
Example 1: Paraphrase from a Single Source
Example 2: Paraphrase from a Single Source’ 
Example 3: Short Quote from Another Source
Example 4: Short Quote from Another Source
Example 1: Entry for a Journal Article from a Print Source
Example 2: Entry for a Journal Article with a DOI Number
Example 3: Entry for a Journal Article without a DOI Number
Example 4: Entry for a Book
Example 5: Entry for a Chapter in an Edited Book
Example 6: Entry for a Website Document
Literature Review Check List
Types of Literature Reviews
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References

Chapter 6. Nonexperimental Research Design
Nonexperimental Research Designs
Survey Research
Case Studies
Longitudinal Research
Correlation and Regression
Group Comparisons
Causal-Comparative Research
Qualitative Research
Ethnography
Grounded Theory
Case Study
Phenomenology
Conversation Analysis
Scientific Rigor in Qualitative Research
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References
Appendix 6–1. Examples of Research Designs

Chapter 7. Experimental Research and Levels of Evidence
Experimental Research Designs
Posttest-Only Designs
Pretest–Posttest Randomized Control Group Design
Solomon Randomized Four-Group Design
Switching Replications Design
Factorial Designs
Importance of Experimental Control
History
Maturation
Statistical Regression
Instrumentation
Selection
Mortality
Quasi-Experimental Approaches
Nonequivalent Control Group Designs
Repeated Measures Group Design
Single-Subject Designs
Single-Subject Design Quality
Experimental Designs and Levels of Evidence
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References
Appendix 7–1. Research Scenario

Chapter 8. Research Participants and Sampling
Populations and Samples
Sample Characteristics
Sampling Methods
Simple Random Sampling
Systematic Sampling
Stratified Random Sampling
Cluster Sampling
Purposive Sampling
Random Assignment
Sample Size
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References

Chapter 9. Data Analysis: Describing Different Types of Data
Levels of Measurement
Visual Representation of Data
Descriptive Statistics
Frequencies and Percentages
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Variability
Means as Estimates
Shapes of Distributions
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References

Chapter 10. Data Analysis: Inferential Statistics
Inferential Statistics
Measures of Association
Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient
Coefficient of Determination
Spearman Rank-Order Correlation
Chi Square and Contingency Coefficient
Simple Regression and Multiple Regression
Testing for Differences Between Two Samples
Independent and Paired t-Tests
Confidence Intervals
Mann-Whitney U
Sign Test and Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test
Testing for Differences among Three or More Samples
Statistical Analysis for Factorial Designs
Additional Tools for Analyzing Clinical Data
Caution in the Use and Reporting of Statistics
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References
Appendix 10–1. Examples of Data Analysis Procedures

Chapter 11. Research Outcomes: Clinical Guidance, Research Reports
Knowledge Base for Evaluating Clinical Research
Critical Appraisal
How Applicable Are the Findings
Reporting Research Findings
Components of a Research Report
Writing Guidelines and Writing Style
Disseminating Research Findings
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References