Health Research
Health research methodology: A guide for training in research methods
HEALTH RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A Guide for Training in Research Methods
Second Edition
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Manila, 2001
i
CONTENTS
Foreword
v
Introduction
vii
Acknowledgements
ix
Chapter 1: Introduction to research
1
Chapter 2: Research strategies and design
11
Chapter 3: Descriptive epidemiological studies and clinical trials
43
Chapter 4: Experimental studies and clinical trials
55
Chapter 5: Sampling methods and sampling size
71
Chapter 6: Bias and confounding
85
Chapter 7: Basic risk measurement
97
Chapter 8: Tests of significance
107
Chapter 9: Association and causation
125
Chapter 10: Ethical aspects of health research
141
Chapter 11: Construction of a research proposal
147
Annexes:
Annex 1:
Questionnaire design
169
Annex 2:
Descriptive statistics: Table, graphs, and charts
187
Annex 3:
Organization of a workshop on research methods in health sciences
211
Index
232
Health research methodology: A guide for training in research methods
WHO Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Health Research Methodology: A guide for training in research methods. Second
Edition.
1. Health services research - methods.
2. Research design.
I. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific
ISBN 92 9061 157 X
The World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. Applications and enquiries should be addressed to the Office of Publications, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland or to the
Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines, which will be glad to provide the latest information on any changes made to the text, plans for new editions, and reprints and translations already available.
© World Health
HEALTH RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A Guide for Training in Research Methods
Second Edition
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Manila, 2001
i
CONTENTS
Foreword
v
Introduction
vii
Acknowledgements
ix
Chapter 1: Introduction to research
1
Chapter 2: Research strategies and design
11
Chapter 3: Descriptive epidemiological studies and clinical trials
43
Chapter 4: Experimental studies and clinical trials
55
Chapter 5: Sampling methods and sampling size
71
Chapter 6: Bias and confounding
85
Chapter 7: Basic risk measurement
97
Chapter 8: Tests of significance
107
Chapter 9: Association and causation
125
Chapter 10: Ethical aspects of health research
141
Chapter 11: Construction of a research proposal
147
Annexes:
Annex 1:
Questionnaire design
169
Annex 2:
Descriptive statistics: Table, graphs, and charts
187
Annex 3:
Organization of a workshop on research methods in health sciences
211
Index
232
Health research methodology: A guide for training in research methods
WHO Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Health Research Methodology: A guide for training in research methods. Second
Edition.
1. Health services research - methods.
2. Research design.
I. World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Western Pacific
ISBN 92 9061 157 X
The World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. Applications and enquiries should be addressed to the Office of Publications, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland or to the
Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines, which will be glad to provide the latest information on any changes made to the text, plans for new editions, and reprints and translations already available.
© World Health
References: University Medical Center, 1983. Cushieri A., Baker P.R. Introduction to research in medical sciences. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone, 1977. Marks R. Designing a research project. Belmont, CA, Lifetime Learning Publications, 1982.