The Public Health Researcher: A Methodological Guide

This book argues that a good public health researcher is someone who is familiar with the latest methodological developments in the health area, whether these be quantitative or qualitative, empirical or library-based. It begins with an historical survey of the major public health methods, and traces their evolution. The authors go on to discuss the full range of methodologies--simple and epidemiological surveys, observational methods, randomized control trials and othe outcome measures, interviews, focus groups, and secondary and meta-analysis. The final chapters provide an introduction to qualitative methods and semiotic techniques. Each method chapter contains a review of relevant studies, and discusses advantages and disadvantages, practical principles, and ethical issues.