Researching Communication Disorders

Researching communication disorders involves a range of disciplines including speech-language pathology, linguistics and psychology. This book provides an interdisciplinary description of the theoretical frameworks in the field of communication disorders and an overview of the main current methodological approaches.

Many communication disorders are poorly understood and many treatments used in therapy remain unproven. Speech and Language therapists are increasingly involved in research in these areas but may lack the training and experience required to conduct it. Not the least of their problems is that few textbooks discuss the specific problems of research design in communication disorders. Research Methods in Speech and Language Therapy fills this gap. It will serve as an introductory text for students who are training to be therapists and as an introduction to more advanced methods for clinicians involved in research. Different approaches to research are described and the basic principles of research design and statistical analysis described. The book uses a wide range of published research to illustrate how research may be conducted in these areas and gives particular attention to the problems of researching the effectiveness of therapy.

This volume provides a comprehensive and in-depth handbook of qualitative research in the field of communication disorders. It introduces and illustrates the wide range of qualitative paradigms that have been used in recent years to investigate various aspects of communication disorders. The first part of the Handbook introduces in some detail the concept of qualitative research and its application to communication disorders, and describes the main qualitative research approaches. The contributions are forward-looking rather than merely giving an overview of their topic. The second part illustrates these approaches through a series of case studies of different communication disorders using qualitative methods of research. This Handbook is an essential resource for senior undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and practitioners, in communication disorders and related fields.

Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Methods for Systematic Inquiry, Fourth Edition is a comprehensive yet comprehendible text meant for instructors and students of research methods in the field of communication sciences and disorders. This forward-thinking book reflects the movement toward evidence-based practice in speech-language pathology and audiology. The authors ensure that the concepts associated with evidence-based practice are integrated throughout the chapters. Rather than treating empirical research and searching for clinical evidence as separate topics, this text presents both as different applications of a process of scientific inquiry. The order of the chapters reflects the steps a researcher or clinician might complete when conducting an investigation. Also included are features that help students be more active in learning the material. Each chapter has a set of review questions or case scenarios that can be used as homework, as probe questions in class, or as a basis for group activities. In addition, the authors provide lists of supplemental readings from the research literature in the field. New to the Fourth Edition: * New author: Jaimie L. Gilbert for an enhanced audiology perspective * New chapter: Writing a Literature Review * Reorganized for better flow of information * Various new and updated references to reflect the current state of research * Additional illustrations and tables * Expanded material on critical appraisal Disclaimer: Please note that ancillary content (such as documents, audio, and video, etc.) may not be included as published in the original print version of this book.

This work teaches readers to understand and evaluate research published in communicative sciences and disorders journals. With an emphasis on scientific principals and scientific inquiry, it provides a solid foundation for clinical practice for all levels by linking research information on treatment to clinical applications.

This student-friendly text that explores the connection between common communication science research methods and clinical practice. Covering both the conceptual and the quantitative aspects of research methods, evidence-based practice, experimental design, and statistics, this book both elucidates various models of research and practice and explains how these models are important to the greater field of communication science. While some students and practitioners find many books on research, evidence-based practice, and statistical concepts to be intimidating, abstract, and dry, this text strives to emphasize not only the ideas surrounding evidence-based practice but also how its principles can be applied in clinical practice.

This thoroughly updated fourth edition of Clinical Research in Communication Disorders: Principles and Strategies remains an instrumental resource for courses on research methods and design in communication disorders. The book is separated into three key sections: science and the scientific methods, clinical research designs, and doing, reporting, and evaluating research. Together, these sections provide thorough coverage of both the single-subject and group design strategies along with issues of measurement; philosophy of science; ethics of research; and planning, conducting, and reporting research. Instructors and students in communication sciences and disorders will appreciate the text's comprehensive coverage of scientific methods, group and single-subject research designs, report writing, and ethics of research in a single source. New to the Fourth EditionNew coauthor, Anthony P. Salvatore, PhDA new chapter on statistical analysis of research data, including several statistical techniques for single-subject research data, meta-analysis of both group and single-subject studiesUpdated criteria for visual analysis of single-subject research dataNew sections on translational research, qualitative research, and mixed methods researchDescriptions of additional research designs not included in the previous edition (e.g., the regression discontinuity design)Updated information on research ethics and review of fraudulent biomedical researchWeb-based sources that monitor research fraud and recalled studiesUpdated and expanded references throughoutKey FeaturesChapter outlines open each chapter and provide a summary of the key topicsChapter summaries recap key points in an easy-to-read bulleted formatEnd-of-chapter study guides allow readers to test their knowledgeBolded key terms throughoutDisclaimer: Please note that ancillary content (such as documents, audio, and video, etc.) may not be included as published in the original print version of this book.

From one of the best-known authorities in research and research to practice issues comes an important text for teaching research methods and applications. An interactive writing style with technology notes throughout allows instructors to teach content, methods, and evaluation. Application examples and study questions provide many opportunities for formative and summative assessment of student learning.