Methods For Community Public Health Research

Providing a comprehensive foundation for planning, executing, and monitoring public health research of all types, this book goes beyond traditional epidemiologic research designs to cover technology-based approaches emerging in the new public health landscape.

Print+CourseSmart

This thoroughly revised and updated second edition of Methodsfor Community-Based Participatory Research for Health providesa step-by-step approach to the application of participatoryapproaches to quantitative and qualitative data collection and dataanalysis. With contributions from a distinguished panel of experts,this important volume shows how researchers, practitioners, andcommunity partners can work together to establish and maintainequitable partnerships using a Community-Based ParticipatoryResearch (CBPR) approach to increase knowledge and improve thehealth and well-being of the communities involved. Written for students, practitioners, researchers, and communitymembers, the book provides a comprehensive presentation ofinnovative partnership structures and processes, and covers thebroad spectrum of methods needed to conduct CBPR in the widestrange of research areas—including social determinants ofhealth, health inequities, health promotion, communityinterventions, disease management, health services, andenvironmental health. The contributors examine effective methodsused within the context of a CBPR approach including surveyquestionnaire, in-depth interview, focus group interview,ethnography, exposure assessment, and geographic information systemmapping. In addition, each chapter describes a case study of theapplication of the method using a CBPR approach. The book alsocontains examples of concrete tools and measurement instrumentsthat may be adapted by others involved in CBPR efforts.

Written by distinguished experts in the field, this book shows how researchers, practitioners, and community partners can work together to establish and maintain equitable partnerships using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach to increase knowledge and improve health and well-being of the communities involved. CBPR is a collaborative approach to research that draws on the full range of research designs, including case study, etiologic, longitudinal, experimental, and nonexperimental designs. CBPR data collection and analysis methods involve both quantitative and qualitative approaches. What distinguishes CBPR from other approaches to research is the active engagement of all partners in the process. This book provides a comprehensive and thorough presentation of CBPR study designs, specific data collection and analysis methods, and innovative partnership structures and process methods. This book informs students, practitioners, researchers, and community members about methods and applications needed to conduct CBPR in the widest range of research areas—including social determinants of health, health disparities, health promotion, community interventions, disease management, health services, and environmental health.

Research Methods for Public Health offers an in-depth introduction to the theories, concepts, approaches and practices, relevant to research methods in a public health setting. Informed by a socio-ecological model of public health, the book uses real world research examples and contemporary social, political and environmental themes of public health that reflect UK and international contexts. The book provides a straightforward approach to developing a research project and applying methods in practical and realistic ways, using an innovative, integrative approach that combines methodologies. The authors have moved away from traditional approaches to research methods, and include chapters on primary quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research, evidence synthesis approaches, critical appraisal, research governance and ethics, and dissemination. Essential reading for postgraduate students, researchers and public health practitioners, or individuals preparing for the UK Faculty of Public Health Part A examination.

"This book presents a new approach to conducting, evaluating, and presenting community and public health research... This is [a] valuable book for learning alternative ways of conducting and disseminating research."--Doody's Medical Reviews The Burke & Albert text is a ìmust-haveî for all community researchers in public health. It contains innovative, community-engaged research methods that are described in an easily understandable manner. Challenging the notion of the quantitative-qualitative dichotomy, the contributors include integrated research methods including spatial analysis, concept mapping, network approaches, system dynamics, visual voice, and news media analysis. This is the first text to advance beyond traditional research methods for promoting community health by presenting a new paradigm that integrates qualitative and quantitative research methods. Written for graduate students of public health and practicing researchers, the book highlights new technologies and methodologies that are particularly suited to addressing complex health issues, translating research into action, and engaging the community and relevant stakeholders. Eschewing the rigid distinction between qualitative and quantitative methods, this new paradigm facilitates a more fluid use of integrated methods and interdisciplinary expertise. With a focus on inferring meaning, the book stresses the conjoint effects of place, time, voice, organization, and scale on health outcomes. Use of these new research methods will provide greater insight into how and why contextual and community factors impact health and aid in developing more effective intervention programs. The text focuses on new methods for inferring meaning from both the quantitative information that characterizes communities and the words community members use to describe their lives. It pays particular attention to data collection and analysis and clearly demonstrates the intricacies of using spatial, systems, and modeling analysis for community health. The first section on inferring meaning from numbers includes spatial analysis, agent-based models, community network analysis, and realist reviews. The second section, about inferring meaning from words, addresses system dynamics, concept mapping, visual voices, and media analysis. Chapters describe, step by step, how to apply new methodologies to pressing health issues and provide Web links to interactive mapping and videos of agent-based models. Additionally, the authors provide examples from their research to support methodological points. Key features: Introduces a new paradigm for community public health research that integrates qualitative and quantitative methods Provides in-depth guidance about applying these new methodologies to pressing community health issues Details applications of new methods such as agent-based simulations, visual voice methods, geospatial analysis, and concept mapping Bridges the disciplines of community health and epidemiology Written for and by multidisciplinary public health scholars

Designed for students and practitioners, this practical book shows how to do evidence-based research in public health. As a great deal of evidence-based practice occurs online, it focuses on how to find, use, and interpret online sources of public health information. It also includes examples of community-based participatory research and shows how to link data with community preferences and needs.

Part of the Essential Public Health Series, Essentials of Public Health Research Methods is specifically written for undergraduate students studying public health who want to fully understand the range of research methods as applied to public health. Using the circular model of public health research as an overarching framework, Essentials of Public Health Research Methods provides a clear, time-tested methodology that leads students step-by-step through the research process -- from framing the questions, identifying the study design and choosing methodology to collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. By following this process, students learn about various facets of public health, while also learning how to select and apply various research methodologies.