Making Sense of Research in Nursing, Health and Social Care

Some books reach their silver anniversary and start to look dated and lose their relevancy. Making Sense of Research in Nursing, Health and Social Care however, has renewed and refreshed at each edition and maintains its applicability for today’s health and social care professionals.  One of the marks of a good textbook is its ability to appeal to readers across professional boundaries and with varying levels of experience in the topic at hand; Moule achieves this both engaging those new to research as well as providing different insights for those with more research knowledge and experience. One of the stated intentions of the book is to make research interesting and in so doing to help practitioners in their adoption of research and evidenced based practice within their work. Moule achieves this with the use of an accessible writing style which is at once both engaging and thought provoking. I would recommend this book as a must have on the shelf for any student of health and social care be they a first year undergraduate or a more experienced individual engaging in post graduate studies. -- Peter Ellis Evidence-based practice is crucial for the modern healthcare practitioner. Students can often shy away from the topic of research thinking that the subject is too complex for them. However, the benefits of this book in guiding them through the subject include: easy to read short sections with headings, clear key messages at the beginning and end of each chapter and links to current, credible sources of evidence to expand their reading further. Some students find it difficult to seek out credible secondary sources and this book gives them links to guidelines and reports which would be appropriate to inform their assignment work. -- Jennifer Hill Books about the research process are not rare but few authors can clarify the basics with such ease like Pam Moule. This textbook is easy-to-read, speaks to the research novice in accessible language, and leaves the reader feeling well-initiated in research literacy. Without hesitation I would endorse this textbook for undergraduate health and social care students who will draw from it from the first term of study to the last. The chapters take the reader on a journey through critical reading right through to the fundamentals of research project design, and instill habits of systematic thought and process in all elements of research. Included are a number of helpful links and templates as well as examples to aid visualization of new concepts. This book is the perfect springboard to launch health and social care students into evidence-informed practice without overwhelming and scaring them off from what can undoubtedly become a more complex topic with further reading. -- Emma Cowley This is an informative and easy to read book, which introduces the students to research and directs them through the research process. I have used previous editions of this book and have it on the reading list for research modules I teach to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The use of practice examples and scenarios clearly demonstrate research in action in health and social care. This new 7th edition will be a valuable addition to the reading list on my modules. -- Janette Pow The previous editions of this book have been a steadfast resource and the ‘go to book’ for all levels of paramedic students studying at undergraduate level. The seventh edition of this book does not disappoint and will be the new ‘go to’ edition for current students who want to understand how to make sense of research in health and social care. The format of the book makes it easy to access the information making it a valuable and informative resource for all students in healthcare settings, and especially useful when undertaking a final project/dissertation. -- Trackey Brickell This book is an excellent text that will provide an invaluable resource to health and social care practitioners who are new to research or those undertaking projects. The detailed discussion of the research process is written in an informative and authoritative way that informs the reader and makes the research process and terminology accessible. -- Peter McNee