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Research process in the health sciences: a focus on methods.

Cathy L Antonakos·Anamaria S Kazanis
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Abstract

Research in the health sciences is becoming increasingly challenging as data and methods advance in complexity. This article was written to provide an overview of the research process for complex and intricate projects, with a focus on methods. The insights regarding structuring and managing research projects are intended to guide researchers through all phases of the research process. Our key suggestions include the following: (1) conceptual and methodological complexity must be balanced, (2) skilled project managers and statisticians are needed, and can be rewarded for their contributions to projects in part through authorship, and (3) grants involving multiple investigators present problems related in part to the abstruseness of integrated methods and so require special solutions for effective management. Overall, we conclude that researchers are rewarded in a variety of ways when they remain focused on the original study aims, keep methods simple, utilize skilled staff, and engage in strategic planning.

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AuthorshipCooperative BehaviorData CollectionData Interpretation, StatisticalHumansInterprofessional RelationsNursing ResearchPatient Care TeamPeer Review, ResearchResearch DesignResearch PersonnelResearch Support as TopicTime FactorsJournal Article

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Cathy L Antonakos, Anamaria S Kazanis. 2003. Research process in the health sciences: a focus on methods.. https://doi.org/10.1891/rtnp.17.3.257.53185

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