Research Methodology for Allied Health Professionals: A comprehensive guide to Thesis & Dissertation

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to Research Methodology
	1.1 Overview
	1.2 Defining Research Methodology
	1.3 Significance of Research Methodology
		1.3.1 Advancing Knowledge
		1.3.2 Problem-Solving
		1.3.3 Decision-Making
		1.3.4 Validating Claims
	1.4 Key Components of Research Methodology
	1.5 Research Approaches
	1.6 Research Design
	1.7 Types of Research
		1.7.1 Basic Research
		1.7.2 Applied Research
		1.7.3 Quantitative Research
		1.7.4 Qualitative Research
	1.8 Research Process
		1.8.1 Formulating Research Questions
		1.8.2 Literature Review
		1.8.3 Research Design
		1.8.4 Data Collection
		1.8.5 Data Analysis
		1.8.6 Drawing Conclusions
		1.8.7 Reporting and Dissemination
	1.9 Summary
Chapter 2: Application of Research Methodology in Allied Health Profession: Thesis and Dissertation
	2.1 Thesis and Dissertation
		2.1.1 Thesis
		2.1.2 Dissertation
	2.2 Research Methodology in Health Organizations
	2.3 Research Methodology in Academia
	2.4 Research Methodology in Allied Health Profession: Thesis and Dissertation
		2.4.1 Research Methodology in Physical Therapy
		2.4.2 Research Methodology in Medical Lab Sciences
		2.4.3 Research Methodology in Medical Imaging Sciences
Chapter 3: Components of Research Methodology
	3.1 Background
		3.1.1 Research Philosophy
			3.1.1.1 Positivism
			3.1.1.2 Interpretivism
			3.1.1.3 Critical Theory
			3.1.1.4 Pragmatism
			3.1.1.5 Constructivism
		3.1.2 Research Design
		3.1.3 Research Approach
		3.1.4 Review of Literature
			3.1.4.1 Conceptual Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.2 Empirical Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.3 Methodological Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.4 Theoretical Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.5 Geographical or Cultural Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.6 Interdisciplinary Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.7 Policy and Practical Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.8 Temporal Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.9 Technology Gap Analysis
			3.1.4.10 Ethical and Social Gap Analysis
		3.1.5 Sampling Strategy
		3.1.6 Data Collection Tools/Instrumentation
		3.1.7 Data Analysis Methods
		3.1.8 Ethical Considerations
		3.1.9 Data Interpretation
		3.1.10 Research Limitations
		3.1.11 Results
		3.1.12 Conclusion
		3.1.13 References and Citations
		3.1.14 Summary
Chapter 4: Formulating Research Hypothesis and Objective
	4.1 Background
		4.1.1 Understanding the Research Area
		4.1.2 Identification of the Problem
		4.1.3 Developing a Research Question
		4.1.4 Formulating a Hypothesis
			4.1.4.1 Null Hypothesis (H0)
			4.1.4.2 Alternate Hypothesis (H1)
		4.1.5 Designing Research Objectives
			4.1.5.1 Criteria for Designing Good Research Objectives: SMART Criteria
		4.1.6 Summary
Chapter 5: Research Designs
	5.1 Background
	5.2 Components of Research Design
		5.2.1 Research Questions or Hypotheses
		5.2.2 Research Approach
			5.2.2.1 Quantitative Research Approach
			5.2.2.2 Qualitative Research Approach
			5.2.2.3 Mixed-Methods Approach
		5.2.3 Variables
		5.2.4 Sampling Strategy
		5.2.5 Data Collection Methods
		5.2.6 Data Analysis Techniques
	5.3 Types of Research Designs
		5.3.1 Experimental Research Design
			5.3.1.1 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
			5.3.1.2 Pre-post Design
			5.3.1.3 Quasi-Experimental Design
		5.3.2 Observational Research Design
			5.3.2.1 Cohort Study
			5.3.2.2 Case-Control Study
Chapter 6: Sampling Types and Methods
	6.1 Background
	6.2 Need for Sampling
	6.3 Sampling Types and Methods
	6.4 Probability Sampling
		6.4.1 Simple Random Sampling
		6.4.2 Stratified Random Sampling
		6.4.3 Systematic Random Sampling
		6.4.4 Cluster Random Sampling
	6.5 Non-probability Sampling
		6.5.1 Purposive Sampling
		6.5.2 Convenience Sampling
		6.5.3 Snowball Sampling
		6.5.4 Quota Sampling
	6.6 Process of Advanced Randomization in Sampling: Block Randomization
	6.7 Blinding in Sampling
	6.8 Summary
Chapter 7: Review of Literature: Search Engines and Strategies
	7.1 Background
		7.1.1 Identification of Search Engine and Strategy
		7.1.2 Screening of Search Data
		7.1.3 Data Reporting
		7.1.4 Synthesis of Literature
		7.1.5 Critique and Analysis
		7.1.6 Summary
	References
Chapter 8: Developing Research Proposal
	8.1 Background
		8.1.1 Title of the Research Project
		8.1.2 Introduction of the Research Project
			8.1.2.1 Example: Writing Research Proposal Introduction for Physical Therapy Project—Word Limit 500–600
				Research Objectives
					Rationale/Need of the Study
			8.1.2.2 Example: Writing Research Proposal Introduction for Medical Lab Project—Word Limit 200–300
				Research Question and Hypothesis
			8.1.2.3 Example: Writing Research Proposal Introduction for Anesthesia Technology—Word Limit 1000–1500
				Need of the Study
				Problem Statement
					Objectives
						Primary Objective
		8.1.3 Research Methods
			8.1.3.1 Research Approach
			8.1.3.2 Research Design
			8.1.3.3 Research Setting
			8.1.3.4 Ethical Approval and Issues
			8.1.3.5 Sample Population (Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria)
			8.1.3.6 Sample Size Calculation
			8.1.3.7 Sampling Method
			8.1.3.8 Outcome Variables and Outcome Measures
			8.1.3.9 Data Collection Procedure
			8.1.3.10 Research Timeline
		8.1.4 Writing Research Proposal Methodology for Physical Therapy Project: Worked Sample
		8.1.5 Summary
	References
Chapter 9: Conducting Research: Scientific Methodological Rigor in Data Collection
	9.1 Background
		9.1.1 Standardization
		9.1.2 Instrumentation
		9.1.3 Questionnaire for Data Collection
		9.1.4 Developing Research Questionnaire
			9.1.4.1 Open-ended
			9.1.4.2 Closed-ended
			9.1.4.3 Categories of Closed-Ended Questions
		9.1.5 Validating Research Questionnaire
			9.1.5.1 Pilot Testing
			9.1.5.2 Face Validity
			9.1.5.3 Expert Review
			9.1.5.4 Content Validity
			9.1.5.5 Construct Validity
			9.1.5.6 Criterion Validity
			9.1.5.7 Reliability
		9.1.6 Summary
Chapter 10: Data Analysis: Descriptive and Analytical Statistics
	10.1 Background
		10.1.1 Data Redundancy
		10.1.2 Data Integration and Filtration
		10.1.3 Data Normalization
			10.1.3.1 Min-Max Scaling (Normalization)
			10.1.3.2 Z-Score Standardization
		10.1.4 Statistical Analysis: Descriptive and Analytical
			10.1.4.1 Descriptive Statistics
				Measures of Central Tendency
				Measures of Variability or Dispersion
				Measures of Shape and Distribution
			10.1.4.2 Analytical Statistics
				Parametric Tests
				Nonparametric Tests
		10.1.5 Statistical Analysis Software
		10.1.6 SPSS
			10.1.6.1 Defining Variables and Data Entry in SPSS
				Data Entry: Worked Example 1
				Data Entry: Worked Example 2
		10.1.7 Conducting Descriptive Statistics in SPSS
		10.1.8 Conducting Inferential Statistics in SPSS
			10.1.8.1 Test for Normal Distribution of Data
				How to Calculate a Test of Normality of Distribution Using SPSS
				How to Interpret the SPSS Test of Normality of Distribution Output
			10.1.8.2 Conduction and Interpretation of Independent T-Test
				How to Compute an Independent T-Test Using SPSS
				How to Interpret and Report the SPSS Output of an Independent T-Test
			10.1.8.3 Conduction and Interpretation of Paired T-Test
				How to Compute a Paired T-Test Using SPSS
				How to Interpret and Report the SPSS Output of a Paired T-Test
			10.1.8.4 Conduction and Interpretation of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
				How to Compute a Simple ANOVA Using SPSS
				How to Interpret and Report the SPSS Output of a Simple ANOVA
				How to Compute a Repeated Measures ANOVA Using SPSS
				How to Interpret and Report the SPSS Output of a Repeated Measures ANOVA
			10.1.8.5 Correlation and Regression: Exploring the Relationship Between Two Variables
				How to Compute a Pearson Correlation Using SPSS
				How to Produce a Scatterplot Using SPSS
				How to Interpret and Report the SPSS Output for a Pearson Correlation
			10.1.8.6 Regression Analysis
				How to Compute a Regression Line Using SPSS
			10.1.8.7 Chi-Square Analysis
				How to Compute a Chi-Square Using SPSS
		10.1.9 Summary
Chapter 11: Manuscript Preparation and Writing
	11.1 Background
		11.1.1 Writing a Case Study
		11.1.2 Writing an Original Article
			11.1.2.1 Preparation of Title Page
			11.1.2.2 Preparation of Cover Letter
			11.1.2.3 Preparation of Main Text (Manuscript)
				Preparation of Results
				Preparation of Discussion
				Preparation of Conclusion
				Preparation of References
		11.1.3 Writing a Review
		11.1.4 Summary
Chapter 12: Referencing: Use of Reference Manager
	12.1 Background
		12.1.1 Need for Referencing
			12.1.1.1 Academic Integrity
			12.1.1.2 Building on Existing Knowledge
			12.1.1.3 Verification and Replication
			12.1.1.4 Avoiding Plagiarism
			12.1.1.5 Scientific Evidence and Support
		12.1.2 Referencing Styles
			12.1.2.1 Details of the Research: Example
			12.1.2.2 APA (American Psychological Association) Style
			12.1.2.3 MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
			12.1.2.4 Chicago/Turabian Style
			12.1.2.5 Harvard Style
			12.1.2.6 Vancouver Style
		12.1.3 Reference Managers
			12.1.3.1 Zotero
			12.1.3.2 EndNote
			12.1.3.3 Mendeley
			12.1.3.4 RefWorks
			12.1.3.5 Citation Machine
		12.1.4 Using Mendeley as Citation Manager
		12.1.5 Summary
Chapter 13: Selecting Journals for Publishing: Avoiding Rejection
	13.1 Background
		13.1.1 Appropriate Journal for Your Work
		13.1.2 Avoiding Outright Rejection (Editorial Review)
		13.1.3 Rejection at Peer Review
		13.1.4 Summary
Chapter 14: Critical Appraisal
	14.1 Background
		14.1.1 Review Components in Critical Appraisal
			14.1.1.1 Study Design
			14.1.1.2 Sampling and Participants
			14.1.1.3 Data Collection
			14.1.1.4 Data Analysis
			14.1.1.5 Presentation of Results and Findings
			14.1.1.6 Conclusion
			14.1.1.7 Ethical Considerations
			14.1.1.8 Study Quality Checklist
		14.1.2 Reporting Guidelines and Critical Appraisal Tools
		14.1.3 Summary
	Appendixes
		Appendix 14.1: JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials (Tufanaru et al. 2020)
		Appendix 14.2: JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses (Aromataris et al. 2015)
		Appendix 14.3: JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research (Lockwood et al. 2015)
		Appendix 14.4: JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data (Munn et al. 2015)
		Appendix 14.5: JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies (Moola et al. 2020)
	References
Chapter 15: Ethics in Research Methodology
	15.1 Background
		15.1.1 Breach of Information
		15.1.2 Breach in Sample Recruitment
		15.1.3 Breach in Data Collection Procedure
		15.1.4 Breach of Beneficence
		15.1.5 Breach of Privacy and Confidentiality
		15.1.6 Breach of Autonomy
		15.1.7 Breach of Integrity and Honesty
		15.1.8 Role of Institutional Review Board (IRB)
		15.1.9 Summary
	Appendixes
		Appendix 15.1: Model for Informed Consent Form
			Informed Consent Form (English)
		Appendix 15.2: Model for Participant Information Sheet
			Model Participant Information Sheet (English)