Clinical research : a practical guide / Gordon J.G. Asmundson, G. Ron Norton and Murray B. Stein.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

PART I: Getting started -- 1. An introduction to clinical research:- Potential obstacles to conducting research--Time--Confidence--Motivation--Space and Equipment--Bottom line--The scientific approach--Importance of a mentor--Overview of the chapters -- 2. Why do research?:- It is rewarding--Satisfying curiosity--Informing clinical practice--Questions that clarify a concern--To test an idea--To add to our knowledge--So, why should you do research? -- 3. Generating worthwhile research ideas and setting an action plan:- Sources of research ideas--Intuition--Theory--Previous research--Is the idea worth investing in?--Questions 1 and2--Question 3--Question 4--The action plan--Gathering articles from the literature--PsycLit--Medline--Searching--Summary -- 4. How to read and critically evaluated research articles:- Getting started--Step 1: The initial read--Step 2: The second read--Abstract--Introduction--Method--Results--Discussion--Step 3: Pulling it all together--Summary -- 5. Writing a research proposal:- Getting started--Know the format--Relevant sections--Length requirements and limitations--Additional materials--Preparing an introduction--Preparing the background--Preparing the specific aims and/or hypotheses--Preparing the methods section--Participants--Methods--Power analysis and statistical analysis--Preparing the literature references--Preparing a budget--Preparing an appendix--After you\'ve written it . . . --Summary -- 6. A primer on research ethics:- General principles--A model for making ethical decisions--Informed consent--Informed consent in special populations--Exceptions to informed consent--Parts of the information and consent form--A word on data fabrication--Summary -- PART II: Data and methods:- 7. Understanding data:- Reliability--Inter-rater reliability--Inter-interval reliability--Test-Retest reliability--Summary--Validity--Face validity--Construct validity--Concurrent validity--Predictive validity--Convergent and discriminant validity--Summary--Types of data--Qualitative data--Quantitative data--Self-report data--Semi-structured interviews--Paper-and-pencil measures--Idiosyncratic situations--Summary-- 8. Guidelines for collecting sound data:- General guidelines for collecting data--Selecting measures--Experimenter biases--Comparing active treatment to placebo--Comparing two types of psychotherapy--More on using placebos: Wait-list and attention control--Summary--Participant biases--Group effects--Attrition effects--Summary--Selecting an appropriate method--General conclusions-- 9. Understanding variables:- Variables as different states--Mathematical classification--Measurement classification--Summary--Experimental classification--Independent variables--Dependent variables--Extraneous variables--Summary -- 10. Handling data and using statistics:- A word on creating and cleaning electronic databases--Descriptive statistics--Data distribution--Measures of central tendency--Measures of variation--Summary--Inferential statistics--Estimating probability--Determining whether data are significantly different--Determining whether data are significantly related--Summary -- PART III: Communicating your finds:- 11.Presenting your findings:- Why present your research? --Where to present your research--Informal presentations--Presenting at professional conferences or meetings--Choosing a presentation format--Tips on preparing an effective presentation--Posters--Oral presentations--Disclosure of financial interests or other affiliations--Summary -- 12.On writing and publishing:- Why good work goes unpublished--(And what to do about it)--Writing a manuscript for peer review--Elements of a peer-reviewed manuscript--Interpreting, acting on, and responding to an action letter--Summary.

Clinical Research addresses practical aspects of research sure to be encountered during training. It emphasises that research methods are appropriate to most clinical settings while dealing with many issues of clinical research that are often ignored.