Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Lauren K. Nelson, PhD, CCC-SLP, 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). She has published articles in several professional journals, including the Journal of Applied Psycholinguistics, Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, Seminars in Speech and Language, and Topics in Language Disorders. **** Jaimie L. Gilbert, PhD, CCC-A, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Northern Iowa. She received a BA in Communicative Disorders and in Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin and an MA and a PhD 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.

Preface

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

Chapter 2. Ethical Considerations
Main Points
Protection of Human Participants
Special Protections
Historical Perspective
Institutional Review Boards
Current Perspective
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-A. Research Scenario

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

Chapter 4. Completing a Literature Search and Literature Review
Main Points
Purposes of a Literature Search
Planning and Conducting a Search

Search Tools
Finding Information from Books

Designing a Search Strategy
Organizing and Documenting Your Literature Search
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References
Appendix 4-A. Electronic Literature Search

Chapter 5. Writing about Research: Literature Reviews and More
Main Points
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 Checklist
Types of Literature Reviews
Writing a Research Proposal
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References

Chapter 6. Nonexperimental Research Design
Main Points
Nonexperimental Research Designs
Survey Research
Case Studies
Longitudinal Research
Correlation and Regression
Group Comparisons
Causal-Comparative Research
Qualitative Research

Sources and Analysis of Qualitative Data
Ethnography
Grounded Theory
Phenomenological Analysis
Case Study
Conversation Analysis
Scientific Rigor in Qualitative Research

Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References
Appendix 6-A. Examples of Research Designs

Chapter 7. Research on Assessments and Diagnostic Approaches
Main Points
Key Concepts in Measurement
Measurement Accuracy

Face and Content Validity
Criterion Validity
Construct Validity

Measurement Consistency

Rater Reliability
Reliability Across Time
Internal Consistency Reliability

Item Response Theory
Summary
Review Questions
Learning Activities
References

Chapter 8. Experimental Research and Levels of Evidence
Main Points
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 8-A. Research Scenario

Chapter 9. Research Participants and Sampling
Main Points
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 10. Data Analysis: Tools for Describing Data
Main Points
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 11. Data Analysis: Measures of Association and Difference
Main Points
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 11-A. Examples of Data Analysis Procedures

Chapter 12. Research Outcomes: Clinical Guidance, Research Reports
Main Points
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

Index