• Why research is carried out, what the aims are, and why it matters.
• How to search and review the literature and evaluate the quality of research
• How research projects are designed, how participants are recruited, how data is collected and analysed, and how research findings are communicated
• About the costs of research and how it is funded
• About the ethics of research in health and social care
• How to review evidence and how evidence is used to improve the quality of care

From reviews:
“I would definitely recommend this book to any student starting a research module or even to refresh your memories ready for your dissertations/literature reviews. The content included is everything I would want to know as a student starting a research module. The glossary at the back is great for understanding the research terminology, which can often feel like a brand new language when you first start reading research papers. There are also handy references which you can use to do further reading and enhance your critical discussion within your assignments.

The book lives up to its intention to act as a lead-in to the research topic and has a clear and concise style throughout, whilst explaining things in the amount of detail needed to fully understand them. A must read for any nursing or health and social care student!”

Review on studentnurseandbeyond.co.uk, March 2019

Essentials is a series of accessible, introductory textbooks for students in nursing, health and social care. New and forthcoming titles in the series:

• The Care Process
• Communication Skills
• Leadership
• Mental Health
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing
• Study Skills