 |
Note on site selection:
All listed sites have been
reviewed by the Center Webmaster for their utility and basic design quality.
Those with 4 stars are considered the most useful. Listing of a Web site here
does not signify either endorsement of the sponsor or certification of
content accuracy. |
|
| Clincal Research Handbooks and
Guides |
|
| Clinical
Research Handbook (Ohio University School Osteopathic Med). Includes
sections on Research Planning, Proposal Development, Funding and Grant
Application, Conducting Research, Data Management and Analysis, and Submitting
for Publication and Presentation. Some content is institution-specific, but
overall this is an excellent guide to conducting clinical research. |
|
| Randomized
Controlled Trials: A Users' Guide By Alejandro Jadad, London: BMJ Books,
1998. Chapters cover: Randomised controlled trials: the basics; Types of
randomised controlled trials; Bias in RCTs; Assessing the quality of RCTs;
Reporting and interpreting individual trials; Reviews, meta-analyses, and
guidelines; and the Basis of evidence based health care. |
|
Understanding the
Fundamentals of Epidemiology. By Victor Schoenbach and Wayne Rosamond,
School of Public Health, University of North Carolina. An excellent online text
covering key aspects of epidemiologic research. Particularly valuable for those
considering a cohort or case-control study. Key chapters include:
Standardization of rates and ratios; Relating risk factors to health outcomes;
Analytic study designs; Causal inference; Multicausality; and Data analysis and
interpretation.
 |
|
| Online Training in
Clinical Research (Tufts Univ School of Med). Includes sections on
Biostatistical Context/Validity, Ethics, Study Definition, Study Design
(including an excellent Study Design Algorithm), Data Analysis and
Interpretation. Provides good basic information on clinical research methods,
especially in the area of study design. |
|
Clinical Trial Reference Texts. A list of over 20 textbook devoted to the
design and implementation of clinical trials and human experimentation.
Includes both general treatises and specific monographs on topics such as
patient compliance, data management and statistical methods. |
|
| Social Science & Educational Research Methods
(General) |
|
| Research Methods Knowledge
Base (WMK Trochim, Cornell Univ). A comprehensive web-based textbook that
addresses all of the topics in a typical introductory course in social science
research methods. It covers the entire research process including: formulating
research questions; sampling; measurement (surveys, scaling, qualitative,
unobtrusive); research design (experimental and quasi-experimental); data
analysis; and, writing research papers. Other topics include validity,
reliability and ethics. |
|
| Self-Study
Learning Package in Research Methods (Robert Gordon Univ). Includes 10
topical papers on social science research methods divided into four major
sections: (1) Foundations of Empirical Research, (2) Data Collection, (3) Data
Analysis and Presentation, and (4) Putting the Idea Together. Excellent
bibliographies are provided for each of the 10 topics. |
|
| Research Methods
Tutorials (Cornell Univ). Short topical tutorials developed by social
science students at Cornell University. Emphasis is on relationship between
research designs and validity (internal, external, construct and
conclusion). |
|
|
| Survey Research (WMK
Trochim, Cornell Univ). An excellent section of the web-based textbook
Research Methods Knowledge Base mentioned above. Covers types of surveys
(questionnaires and interviews), how to select the appropriate survey method,
how to construct the survey instrument (types of questions; question content
& wording; response format; question placement & sequence). Also
addresses some of the special issues involved in administering a personal
interview and the advantages and disadvantages of survey methods. |
|
| Sampling and
Surveying Handbook (DOD-USAF). Contains guidelines for planning,
organizing, and conducting surveys. Chapter content includes Developing the
Purpose, Hypothesis, and Survey Plan; Sampling Techniques & Related
Statistical Concepts; the Questionnaire; and Common Statistical Analysis
Errors. Eight useful appendices cover topics such as Steps in Surveying, Survey
Development Timetables, Survey Data Sources, How to Use a Random Number Table,
Sample Cover Letter, Privacy Act Statement & Instructions, and Rating or
Intensity Scales.
|
|
| Australian
Bureau of Statistics: Basic Survey Design. Chapters include Set-up Stage of
a Survey; Samples and Censuses; Data Collection Methods; Frames &
Population; Sample & Questionnaire Design; Data Processing & Analysis;
Presentation of Results; and Confidentiality. |
|
| Introduction to
Data Collection and Analysis. By Albert Goodman, School of Computing and
Mathematics, Deakin University. A course in Data Collection and Analysis, with
an emphasis on the survey method. See in particular the following Units:
Surveys and
Sampling; Survey
Techniques; and
Processing
Survey Data. |
|
| Survey
Construction and Analysis. By Peter Giacobbi, PhD. Describes the stages
involved with the development, validation, and identification of
generalizeability limits of typical survey measures that are used to assess
various psychological constructs, attitudes, or behaviors. Also discuss the use
and purpose of the various statistical indices utilized, the assumptions
underlying these statistics, and the types of confirming and/or disconfirming
results that may be observed. |
|
| Survey
Methods. An excellent short summary of survey methods, with an emphasis on
types of surveys and instrument design. Also includes a list of useful
resources and links. Examples are drawn primarily from the library science
field, but are still useful for the social scientist in training. |
|
| A Brief Guide to
Questionnaire Development. By Robert Frary, Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Identifies some of the major problems in questionnaire development and ways of
avoiding them. Topics include: Writing the Questionnaire; Category and Scale
Point Proliferation; Responses at the Scale Midpoint; Response Category
Language; Unnecessary and Sensitive Questions; Statistical Considerations;
Anonymity; Nonreturns; Format and Appearance; Processing of Responses; and
Sample Size. |
|
| Survey Research Methods
Section, American Statistical Association. The ASA Section on Survey
Research Methods promotes the improvement of survey practice and the
understanding of survey methods by encouraging both theoretical and applied
research on survey-related topics and by disseminating information on survey
methods. Includes an excellent series of 10 short papers survey methods. Also
provides a list of useful resources and links. |
|
| Using Structured Interviewing
Techniques. From the US General Accounting Office's Program Evaluation and
Methodology Division. For a short summary of the Report's key points see the
ERIC/AE Digest Designing
Structured Interviews for Educational Research (ED421485). |
|
| Survey Research in
Education (ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment & Evaluation). Includes
links to ERIC Digests & other Internet resources, ERIC documents database
citations & abstracts, major bibliographic resources and organizations
involoved in educational research. |
|
| Annotated
Bibliography of Survey Research (Colorado St Univ). Includes bibliographic
citations in the following categories: General Survey Information; Studies;
Criticism, Critique and Evaluation; Secondary Analysis; Electronic Surveys; and
Further Investigation. |
|
| Survey Research Reference
Texts. A comprehesive bibliography of textbooks and monographs on survey
research methods, through 2001. |
|
|
Understanding
the Fundamentals of Epidemiology. By VJ Schoenbach and WD Rosamond, Univ N
Carolina. An 18 chapter online text on epidemiologic methods. Topics include:
Epidemiology — Definition, Functions, Characteristics, History; Basic
Demography; Measuring Disease and Exposure; Relating Risk Factors to Health
Outcomes; Analytic Study Designs; Causal Inference; Multicausality; and Data
Analysis and Interpretation.
|
|
| Epidemiology for the
Uninitiated (BMJ Books). By D Coggon, G. Rose and D. Barker (1997). A 13
chapter online text designed to introduce epidemiology concepts to
non-epidemiologists. Topics include: What is epidemiology?; Quantifying disease
in populations; Comparing disease rates; Measurement error and bias; Planning
and conducting a survey; Ecological studies; Longitudinal studies; Case-control
and cross sectional studies; Experimental studies; Screening; Outbreaks of
disease; and Reading epidemiological reports 13. Further reading |
|
| Clinical Epidemiology
Glossary. A good basic glossary of epidemiologic terms. Where applicable,
provides links to show the calculations involved in computing selected ratios
and indices. |
|
| Qualitative and Mixed-Method Research |
|
| Qualitative Research in Health
Care. By Catherine Pope and Nicholas Mays. London: BMJ Books, 2000. An
excellent resource on the application of qualitative research in health care.
Chapters include: Qualitative methods in health research; Qualitative
interviews in health care research; Focus groups with users and providers of
health care; Observational methods in health care settings; Using the Delphi
and nominal group technique in health services research; Using case studies in
health services and policy research; Using qualitative methods in
health-related action research; Analysing qualitative data; and Quality in
qualitative health research. |
|
| Qualitative
Research: Its Role in Clinical Research (JG Wright, P McKeever). A
full-text article for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Discusses the role of qualitative clinical research, reviews its primary
methods and outlines how to evaluate qualitative studies. |
|
|
Choosing
Qualitative Research: A Primer for Technology Education Researchers. By
Marie Hoepfl. Journal of Technology Education, 9(1), 1997. Compares
qualitative and quantitative research paradigms; identifies the basis for
applying qualitative research strategies; outlines the features of qualitative
research and the role of the researcher; describes common research design and
data collection strategies, specifies how to analyze qualitative data and how
to judge qualitative research.
Click
here for *pdf version |
|
| Qualitative Research in Information
Systems. Although targeted for researchers in Information systems (IS),
provides broadly useful information on the major methods involved in
qualitative research, including the conduct, evaluation and publication of
qualitative research. |
|
| Qualitative Methods Workbook
(CG Boeree, Shippensburg Univ). An e-text prepared for a course in
qualitative research methods at Shippensburg University. Includes five parts:
Introduction and Phenomenological Description, Structural Analysis,
Observation, Interviewing and Other Techniques |
|
| Qualitative Research Resources
on the Internet (Nova Southeastern Univ). Includes a large alphabetical
directory of web pages providing qualitative research information and
resources, links to papers and other textual sources, and selected qualitative
research methods course syllabi. |
|
| QualPage: Resources for
Qualitative Research (Univ Alberta). A regularly updated topical directory
of web sites providing qualitative research information and resources. Includes
qualitative approaches & methods, conceptual and philosophical foundations,
electronic journals, organizations and interest groups, and other
resources. |
|
| The Qualitative Report (Nova
Southeastern Univ). An online journal dedicated to qualitative research and
critical inquiry since 1990. Includes section on Practicing Qualitative
Research (exercises, activities, and techniques). |
|
| International Institute for Qualitative
Methodology. The International Institute for Qualitative Methodology is a
multidisciplinary institute at the University of Alberta, Canada. The Institute
provides leadership and promotes excellence in qualitative research through
education and research, and provides a forum for collaboration among
international experts in the field of qualitative inquiry. |
|
| The Qualitative Research
Page (BA Kerlin, PhD). A topical directory of web sites providing
qualitative research information and resources.Topics include: Information
Gathering, Qualitative Methods, Course Syllabi, Theory and its Role in
Research, Planning and Preparing Research, Interpreting and Presenting
Research, Ethics, Qualitative Software, Discussion Groups, Theorists &
Philosophers, and Theses & Dissertations on the Web |
|
| Bibliography:
Qualitative and Mixed Method Texts. A list of over 20 textbook devoted to
qualitative and mixed method research. Includes both general treatises and
specific monographs on topics such as the case study method, interpreting
qualitative data, and critical ethnography. |
|
| Evaluation and Outcomes Research |
|
| User-Friendly
Handbook for Project Evaluation (NSF). An 8 chapter handbook on how to
conduct project evaluation. Key topics include: types of evaluation; steps in
the evaluation process; collection and analysis of data; and report writing.
Supporting materials include examples of project evaluations; information on
selecting an evaluator; and a glossary and annotated bibliography
|
|
| Evaluation Handbook (W.K. Kellogg
Foundation). A 5 chapter handbook on evaluation methods. Discusses the
historyand paradigms involved in evaluation; specifies the levels of evaluation
and provides a detailed blueprint for conducting project-level evaluations,
including communicating findings and using the results.
|
|
| An Overview of Outcomes
Research and Measurement. By K. Maloney, and B.P. Chaiken (1999). From the
Journal of Healthcare Quality Vol 6, No 4. Defines health care outcomes
and outcomes research, identifies various types of outcomes measures and
appropriate data collection methods; and differentiates between outcomes
management and disease state management. |
|
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|
Plan, Design and Conduct Quality
Research 
Center Index
