Book excerpt: Rapid Research Methods for Nurses, Midwives and Health Professionals is designed to help you find and understand the meaning of key research terminology and, more importantly, develop your knowledge of some of the essential ideas and concepts they describe. This A-Z dictionary of terms is a collection of over 200 entries with a definition of each word put in context with additional tips on its use in assignment work. Alphabetically arranged in an accessible, reader-friendly format, this book: Answers a clear demand for a practical, fast and concise introduction to the key ideas, concepts and methods in nursing and healthcare research Provides students with fast and accessible information designed for revision and writing research-based assignments Demystifies a field of study that students often find daunting