Ario Santini and Kenneth A. Eaton; 2022; Authorhouse; $36.02; pp. 326; ISBN 978-1-6655-9751-7

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This book, edited by two well-known teachers and researchers in the field of primary care research, is designed to introduce readers to the principles and practice of clinical research. Whilst created by individuals from a dental background, as the title implies, the book could be used by any healthcare professional interested in research.

The book comprises 18 chapters and three appendices. It begins with an explanation of the need for practice-based research, and goes on to explain the principles of evidence-based practice and skills in critically appraising the literature. The third chapter focuses on formulating and asking a research question, and on searching the literature to assist with that task. In discussing research with novice researchers, I always emphasise that having a simple clearly focused question and referring to that throughout the process is key to success, so it is good to see this aspect given prominence.

There follows a series of chapters which in turn discuss various types of study design of relevance to research in a practice setting. Advice on protocol writing follows along with a discussion of research ethics and how to obtain ethical approval. Funding, the piloting of methods and project management are discussed before presentations on collecting, collating and analysing data. The book concludes on the all-important topic of writing-up and disseminating results of a research project.

The first appendix is a useful collection of checklists associated with research. The second, one of the most helpful parts of the book for the novice researcher, is a glossary of research terms and associated explanatory notes. Somewhat unusual is the third appendix, which details how an apprenticeship scheme could be used to fund practice-based research on the back of an apprenticeship levy. This is very England-centric and unlikely to be of much interest or relevance to the majority of readers.

The book is set out in the order in which a research study would be conducted, and covers a wide range of issues. This breadth of coverage is also its weakness in that many topics are covered at a superficial level. Reading like a set of course notes, this book will be helpful for someone new to research who is undertaking a research dissertation as part of a taught Masters programme or a Masters in research degree. As the title implies, it is an introduction and more in-depth texts, and appropriate supervisory support would be required should someone actually be embarking on their first research project.

Professor Ivor G. Chestnutt