The advancement of knowledge and practice in health care depends on the education of individuals who are competent in undertaking health research and evaluations. Research is fundamental to the health sciences. Technological advances and an increasing demand to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and quality of health services have ensured that research is a high priority for the health care industry.

Consistent with the previous versions, the fifth edition of "An Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences" has two overall aims. One is to introduce the fundamental principles of research methodology and explain how these principles are applied for conducting research in the health sciences. And the second is to demonstrate how evidence produced through research is applied to solving problems in everyday health care.

This book is written in an accessible style. It maintains the traditions of the previous editions, with examples, questions, feedback sections, and an extensive glossary. In addition, this new edition: includes a chapter focussing on the use of qualitative methods in health research and a chapter for discussing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and contains more revision questions as well as updated figures.