Intervention research is the only type of research that enables researchers to draw conclusions about cause and effect relationship between an intervention and a specific outcome. Rather than simply collecting data, researchers using this method actually `does something' to some but not all of the participants in the study. Researchers arrange (or follow) a systematic change in conditions to determine the effects. Because of its precision, intervention research advances the science and improves quality of care and patient outcomes. Quality improvement of healthcare outcomes and reduction of healthcare costs are recognized national priorities, and this type of research is effective at achieving those goals. Nursing and public health intervention research studies address these priorities by demonstrating the effectiveness of a specific intervention on a healthcare outcome. Intervention Studies need to be impeccably-designed, to be replicable and to withstand the scrutiny of IRB and peer-review. To promote the advancement of Intervention Research, this book presents the essential elements of designing, conducting, analyzing, and funding intervention studies. It provides a practical guide for researchers across multiple disciplines and serves as an excellent resource for doctoral students.
