Avril Drummond

This book covers the processes involved in research in six comprehensive parts: preparation for research, the research process, methods, collation of data, analysis and presentation of data, writing up and references. Students in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, nursing and those wanting to improve their clinical practice through research, will find this book invaluable. It is also essential reading for postgraduates.

This book is aimed at beginners. If you are totally confused and dismayed at the prospect of undertaking a research project, read on. If you are an expert in research, this is not the book for you unless you merely wish to revise your existing knowledge. Above all this book is intended as an outline and a guide. It does not provide a definitive recipe on how to conduct a research project. You will learn by your own studies which methods and techniques suit you best and how to modify ideas to meet your own requirements. NB Therapist is referred to as she in the text for simplicity. Acknowledgements lowe particular thanks to Dr Naomi Fraser-Holland for her substantial contributions to the production of this book. My sincere thanks also go to Marion Walker, Dr John Gladman, Dr Nadina Lincoln, Dr Alison Hammond and Julia Nuthall for ideas, information and advice, and to Jane Greaves for her wonderful cartoons. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance of colleagues at the Stroke Research Unit, City Hospital, Nottingham, and at the Derby School of Occupational Therapy. I am grateful to Jo Campling for her support and guidance and to the staff at Chapman & Hall for all their assistance. Finally special thanks to my husband, Dr Tim Daniel, for his encouragement and good humour.