Elements of Research in Physical Therapy, 3d ed.

Currier, in the third edition of his basic text, has made minor revisions in most of the chapters that appeared in the 1979 and 1984 editions and has updated some of the reference lists. The basic four-part organization that served well in the previous edition remains to guide the reader from developing research, to the numerical roots of research, to hypothesis testing, culminating in revealing research results through adequate reports. As before, Currier includes five appendixes detailing concepts presented in the main portion of the book.

Increasing numbers of physical therapists are becoming research oriente. Entry-level programs require students to conduct research, and growing numbers of clinicians are either pursuing advanced education, in which research is an integral element, or investigating alternative management protocols with their patients.

In part 1, Currier contends that the impetus for research can come from universities, clinical settings, and professional associations, but calls attention to impediments to research in each venue. He offers concrete advice regarding selecting a feasible problem, conducting a literature review, and designing a research proposal. Part 2 is concerned with quantifying research, including variables and types of measurement; organizing data, measures of central tendency, variation, and probability; and gathering data. Currier describes types of nonexperimentl research with their relative advantages and pitfalls. He delineates measures of reliability and validity and offers substantial description of experimental research, with expanded discussion of group-comparison experiments. Regrettably, the new edition omits the excellent section on areas of instruments of experimental research, in which Currier outlined the key features of cardiovascular, work and energy cost, pulmonary, exercise, physical agent, and pathokinesiology studies.

Part 3, "Hypothesis Testing," is an exploration of parametric and nonparametric tests; little has changed from previous editions of this book. The final section, "Revealing Research," reflects Currier's preference that physical therapists publish their research findings in Physical Therapy; thus, the recommendations for manuscript preparation are those used by the Journal. Instructions for preparing conference/meeting abstracts have been added. Particularly valuable is the insight into the peer-review process used by scientific periodicals, as well as suggestions for effective oral reports. The issues addressed in the appendixes are the same as in the previous editions, although a new research proposal and a revised consent form appear. Improved graphic design enhances the third edition.

Although relatively little has changed in the third edition of Elements of Research in Physical Therapy, this consise text deserves to be part of the library of students and practicing physical therapists. Currier has drawn from a wide gamut of literature on research to distill the essential elements of interest to physical therapists.

Joan E Edelstein, PT New York University Postgraduate Medical School New York, NY