Using and Doing Research

O'Cathain A, Croot L, Duncan E, Rousseau N, Sworn K, Yardley L, and Hoddinott P (2019) Guidance on how to develop complex interventions to improve health and healthcare, BMJ Open, 9(8) pp. 1-9.

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EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network

• Reporting guidance for health research: this contains a comprehensive searchable database of reporting guidelines and also links to other resources relevant to research reporting.
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RCN: Previous RCN research conferences

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RCN Research and Innovation resources

• The RCN is committed to nurses, midwives, HCAs and APs using knowledge and innovation to transform patient care. This section includes information and resources for those looking to use or develop research to enhance their practice, including links to research funding and training opportunities.
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World Health Organization (2017) Facilitating evidence-based practice in nursing and midwifery in the WHO European Region. Copenhagen: WHO.

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RCN: Quality improvement

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Health Research Agency (HRA)

• The HRA was established in December 2011 to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health research, and to streamline the regulation of research. It also covers current health guidance on research ethics and informed consent.
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Northway R, Howarth J and Evans L (2015) Participatory research, people with intellectual disabilities and ethical approval: making reasonable adjustments to enable participation, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24 (3-4), pp. 573-581.

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We would like to thank the RCN Research member community for their input into the development of this subject guide.

Aveyard H, Sharp P and Woolliams M (2015) A beginner’s guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. 2nd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

• Access through RCN Library

Aveyard H, Greenway K and Parson L (2023) A beginner’s guide to evidence-based practice in health and social care. 4th edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

• Access through RCN Library

Aveyard H (2023) Doing a literature review in health and social care: a practical guide. 5th edn. London: Open University Press.

• Access through RCN Library

Ellis P (2022) Understanding research for nursing students. 5th edn. London: Learning Matters.

• Borrow from RCN Library services

Grove S and Cipher D (2020) Statistics for nursing research: a workbook for evidence-based practice. 3rd edn. St Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

• Access through RCN Library

Linsley P, Kane R and Barker J (2022) Evidence-based practice for nurses and allied health professionals. 5th edn. Los Angeles: Sage.

• Access through RCN Library

McCormack B and McCance T (2016) Person-centred practice in nursing and health care: theory and practice. 2nd edn. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.

• Access through RCN Library

Moule P (2021) Making sense of research in nursing, health and social care. 7th edn. Los Angeles: Sage.

• Access through RCN Library

Tashakkori A, Johnson B and Teddlie C (2021) Foundations of mixed methods research: integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches in the social and behavioral sciences. 2nd edn. Los Angeles: Sage.

• Access through RCN Library

Gerrish K and Lathlean J (2015) The research process in nursing. 7th edn. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.

• Access through RCN Library

Greenhalgh T (2019) How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare. 6th edn. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons.

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Harvey G and Kitson A (2015) Implementing Evidence-Based Practice In Healthcare: A facilitation guide.  London: Routledge.

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Jolley J (2020) Introducing research and evidence-based practice for nursing and healthcare professionals. 3rd edn. London: Taylor & Francis.

• Access through RCN Library

Lobiondo-Wood G and Haber J (2022) Nursing research: methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice. 10th edn. St Louis: Elsevier.

• Access through RCN Library

Rycroft-Malone J, Bucknall T and Pearson A (2010) Models and frameworks for implementing evidence-based practice: linking evidence to action. Somerset: Wiley.

• Access through RCN Library

Salkind N (2020) Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics. 7th edn. Los Angeles: Sage. 

• Access through RCN Library

Use these links to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on each topic.

• Critical appraisal
• Evidence-based practice
• Research methods
• Statistics

Use these links to see details of journal articles on each topic.

• Critical appraisal
• Evidence based practice
• Focus groups
• Interviewing (research methods)
• Practice development
• Qualitative research (research methods)
• Survey methods
• Trials (research methods)

Journals of interest for the novice researchers. Use these links to see details of availability.

• Journal of Research in Nursing
• Nurse Researcher
• Nursing Open