Research methodology for health professionals

Publisher Name: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers.

Author: RC Goyal

Dr. (Professor) R C Goyal is a prolific scientific writer in the domain of medical research. His book titled ‘Research Methodology for Health Professionals’ published from the renowned Jaypee publishers is in circulation for over a decade. This book has an Amazon bestseller rank of 15 in the field of research.

The author has gunned for the ‘basic sector of the audience’ which is health researchers at their early stage of carrier building and the mid-level researchers. Even the high-end medical researching commune can find it handy at the time of spot referral.

This compilation is written in simple and easy language keeping its audience in mind but has not at any stage compromised on the dissemination of information. The layout of the book over 21 concise chapters speaks about its range. The chapters on proposal writing, ethical issues, data management, designing research instruments, data collection and techniques of data analysis, sampling, variables, and research on diagnostic tests are immaculate.

Having said that it does not make it immune to criticisms. In the scientific commune, a decadal gap is a long one. The field of Medical research is one of the fast-changing ones. Things have metamorphosed, the gap in knowledge has become evident. New guidelines, techniques and methods have made their inroads. In chapter 4 i.e. ‘formulation of the research hypothesis,’ requires rewriting with recent concepts. The section on RCT(chapter 6) needs boosting. Steps in thesis writing (chapter 19) should reflect recent changes. Chapter 20 that covers guidelines on writing research papers should broaden its domain. The study design section in chapter 6 also needs a relook. The seeection on critical appraisal (chapter 21) is outdated.

In conclusion, we can say that this fine piece of work should keep pace with changing time and come out with the much needed 2^nd edition. If possible the author should try to broaden its horizon so as to carter the need of high-end users.