Book Review
Nursing & Midwifery Research: Methods and appraisal for evidence-based practice (3rd edn)
Zevia Schneider, Doug Elliott, Dean Whitehead and Geri LoBiondo-Wood
ISBN: 978-0-729537-91-9; 2007; xv+400 pages; Elsevier Australia;
Merri Paech
Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of South Australia, City Campus, Adelaide SA
The editors of this text note in the preface that this new edition comprises three sections, based on market events and feedback from the Australasian region. This re-shaping has successfully produced a very useful text for undergraduate and postgraduate students of not only nursing and midwifery, but all health sciences.
The focus on students/novice researchers is obvious in the titles of the book sections: Research Awareness; Research Appreciation and Application; and Conducting Primary Research. The over-riding theme is that research promotes professional accountability, and each of the chapters facilitates research competence (knowledge, skills and attitudes) in both experienced and novice nurses and midwives. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research are discussed, together with the critical evaluation of research, writing grant applications, and writing/presenting research findings. Each of the 21 chapters has ‘points to ponder' with learning activities designed to allow the reader to check their understanding of the content with those of the authors. This provides an interactivity that enhances learning by actively engaging the reader. Numerous tables, figures and boxes of information entitled ‘research in brief' and ‘tutorial triggers' also add to the readability of the text by allowing someone to browse through the book, engaging with material that is of particular interest to them.
The breadth of this text means that, inevitably, many topics only receive a brief mention, but the educative chapter about electronic literature searching (Chapter 3) ensures that any reader is then able to undertake an in-depth search of their own, to uncover literature they require on a particular topic/aspect of the research process.
The editors are to be congratulated on producing an excellent Australasian text that not only encourages a professional understanding of the need for research into all areas of nursing and midwifery practice, but also guides the reader in how to undertake an investigative project of their own.
eContent Home
