Research Fundamentals and Qualitative Methodology: A Handbook for Emerging Health Sciences Scholars

Research Fundamentals and Qualitative Methodology: A Handbook for Emerging Health Sciences Scholars is intended for health sciences students who see research as a journey worth travelling. The major purpose of this book is to provide learning material about the systematisation of scientific inquiry as a general guide to novice researchers through the research process and to stimulate awareness of the countless researchable and research-needed questions encountered daily in healthcare practice. The students are introduced to a unique language, new rules, and new experiences in such a way that it will assist them in expanding their perceptions and methods of reasoning. This book is not intended as an all-inclusive source that provides all the answers relating to research and its processes; this should be seen, rather, as a companion for quick referencing when carrying out a research project. As all healthcare professionals’ research roles are to contribute to the development of evidence-based practice, I trust that this book will continue to be a priceless source to students and researchers. My belief is that research is an intellectually and professionally rewarding field, and that developing research skills and creating a research culture is critical to the health sciences. As such, this book will facilitate students understanding and awaken curiosity and interest in research. In my experience, most students become competent at research methods during their coursework but struggle to generate interesting or useful research questions or carry out a research project. To address this deficit, I have conceived this book and provided detailed descriptions, intended to provide a guide for health sciences students, to explore and appreciate research as a key roadmap to scholarship, which will provide essential skills for researchers.