• Discusses the newest forms of research and discusses the philosophic basis of research.
• Covers all aspects of systematic inquiry including qualitative research and quantitative research, and summarizes how inquiry is used in evidence-based practice.
• Explores statistical analysis, including meta-analysis – research design and measurement tools that are part of quantitative research.
• Uses OT-specific examples throughout the text.
• International team of contributing authors infuses expertise in each type of research to provide a most authoritative resource as well as the diverse, multinational perspectives not found in single-author texts.
• Enhances reader comprehension and navigation of the text with highlighted quotes, feature boxes, tables, figures, and cross-referencing between chapters.

 I: The Nature and Scope of Inquiry in a Practice Profession
 1.The Necessity of Research in a Profession
2.The Aim of Research: Philosophical Foundations of Scientific Inquiry
3.The Range of Research
4.Characteristics of Sound Inquiry and the Research Process
5.Professional Responsibility and Roles in Research

 II: Quantitative Designs
 6.Descriptive Quantitative Designs
7.Group Comparison Studies: Quantitative Research Designs
8.Survey Research Design
9.Study Designs for Secondary Analysis of Existing Data
10. Longitudinal Research: Design and Analysis
11.Single-Subject Research

 III: Quantitative Measurement
 12. Developing and Evaluating Quantitative Data Collection Instruments
13.Objective Measurement: The Influence of Item Response Theory on Research and Practice
14. Evaluating the Use of Assessments in Practice and Research

 IV: Statistical Analysis
 15. Making Meaning from Numbers: Measurements and Descriptive Statistics
16. Concepts of Inferential Statistics: From Sample to Population
17. Methods of Analysis: From Univariate to Multivariate Statistics
18. Meta-Analysis

Appendix A: Statistical Reference Tables
Appendix B: Summary of Common Research Statistics

 V: Qualitative Methods
 19. Overview of Qualitative Research
20. Gathering Qualitative Data
21.Contemporary Tools for Managing and Analyzing Qualitative Data
22. Qualitative Approaches to Interpreting and Reporting Data

VI: Other Design Approaches
 23. Exploring Perceptions about Services Using Q Methodology
24. The Nature and Use of Consensus Methodology in Practice
25. Using Mixed Methods Designs to Study Therapy and its Outcomes 26. Organizing the Components of Inquiry Together: Planning and Implementing a Coherent Study and Research Tradition

 VII: Conducting Inquiry
27. Searching the Literature
28.Generating Research Questions, Design and Methods
29.Integrity and Ethics in the Conduct of Human Subject Research
30. Obtaining Funding for Research
31. Securing Samples for Effective Research Across Research Designs
32. Collecting Data
33. Data Management
34. Disseminating Research
35. Writing a Research Report


 VIII: Enhancing Practice Through Inquiry
 36. Assessing Need for Services
37. Using Research to Develop and Evaluate Programs of Service
38. Participatory Research in Occupational Therapy
39. Building Culturally Competent Community-University Partnerships for Occupational Therapy Scholarship
40. Participatory Research for the Development and Evaluation of Occupational Therapy: Researcher-Practitioner Collaboration
 IX: Evidence Based Practice
41. Definition, Evolution & Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy
42. Analyzing Evidence for Practice
43. Managing Change and Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice
44. Creating Outcome Research Relevant for Evidence Based Practice