Research-informed practice

This chapter examines how psychological and health research findings influence healthcare practice and provides an overview of research paradigms, methodologies and methods. It is not within the scope of this chapter to provide a detailed account of how to conduct research. This is covered in more detail and depth elsewhere in your course and in specific research textbooks. Rather, this chapter focuses on how research findings influence healthcare practice and how health professionals can use research in their day-to-day clinical practice and, thereby, be competent consumers of research (Schneider et al. 2016). Being a competent consumer of research involves knowing how to access, critique and utilise research findings to inform your everyday work. Finally, the role of the health professional in the ethical conduct of research is addressed.