With illustrative case studies and practical advice for nurse researchers, this invaluable text looks at the real life dilemmas faced by nurse researchers at key stages of the research process from developing a research question through to disseminating the findings.

Davina Allen is Director of Research at Cardiff University. She has a background in adult nursing and sociology. Her research interests centre on the social organisation of healthcare work.

Patricia Lyne was formerly Professor of Nursing Research at Cardiff University. Originally a biochemist, she changed career after being inspired by the care she observed as a volunteer in terminal care. She has since sought to combine the insights of her scientific training with her understanding of health care and health systems to promote research and evidence based practice in nursing.

Part 1: The Reality of Nursing Research: Historical and Political Context Introduction 1. Where Are We Now? 2. How Did We Get There? 3. Expectations of Research 4. The Research Field 5. The Continuum of Research Engagement Part 2: The Reality of Nursing Research: Tales from the Field Introduction 6. Selecting a Topic 7. Negotiating a Proposal through Gate-Keeping Committees 8. Data Generation 9. Researching Practice, Service Delivery and Organization 10. Researching Your Own Clients/Students 11. Relationship with the Data (Analysis) 12. Relationship with Multidisciplinary Research Teams 13. Disseminating Research Findings