ng, financing, and policies. Scientific principles apply to this research. Research into social science disciplines presents constraints and complex problems. For example findings from a study done in one location may not be generalizable to another time and location, limiting external validity of the study. Data available for study may also be limited and direct observation may be impossible. The health services research discipline includes multiple disciplines such as biological, psychological, and social factors, thus there is not one conceptual framework that is applicable to all studies. This research is population based and does not focus on the individual, the physiological aspects of health and illness, or environmental research. The health services research discipline is applied, with a problem-solving orientation.
The process of health services research is described next. As with scientific inquiry, the following aspects are included: conceptualization, preparation and groundwork, study methods (design, sampling, measurement, data collection, processing, and analysis), and application of findings.
Chapter 2 is titled: Conceptualizing Health Services Research. For this chapter the author explains that before a researcher can collect and analyze data, they must first become aware of what needs to be studied and with what data, a process called conceptualization. Shi then provides an in depth view of how to go about taking an abstract concept and putting it into concrete terms. To begin with a research purpose and related approach is determined, such as exploratory (when little is known about a top), descriptive (to describe a phenomenon), or explanatory (to research a hypotheses or a problem with analytic or causal research). Next a research topic is posed, which guides the empirical research to be conducted, and relevant literature and theories are explored. This search helps narrow the topic for further expl...