Book excerpt: Nurses and midwives have a professional responsibility to keep up-to-date with current research impacting on their clinical practice. They require the skills and knowledge to read and understand research reports, evaluate the quality of the research, synthesise different research studies, apply the most appropriate findings to their clinical practice and be able to evaluate its effectiveness. This book presents a unique approach to teaching the principles of health research using practical case studies with which students can identify and engage. The book covers core concepts and principles including: - what evidence is and why understanding research is vital - finding reliable sources of evidence - the nature of the research process - understanding quantitative and qualitative research - ethical considerations - using research to guide clinical practice. Throughout the book, activities, summaries and review questions help ground theory in real life scenarios, highlighting how evidence-based practice can be applied in every aspect of nursing care. 'The text is highly readable while achieving the aim of familiarising the reader with the language of, and process for, doing research. It is logically organised and ... guides reader learning using a variety of techniques that reinforce [the] information presented and challenge thinking.' Karen Francis, Professor of Nursing and Head of Nursing, University of Tasmania