Research Methods in Mental Health
A Comprehensive Guide

A practical and engaging resource for academic and clinical professionals venturing into mental health research.

Dawn N. Albertson (Edited by), Derek K. Tracy (Edited by), Dan W. Joyce (Edited by), Sukhwinder S. Shergill (Edited by)

9781009013987, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 November 2025

340 pages
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.1 cm, 0.52 kg

'Being an academic clinician is a core part of every clinician's identity. Being able to appraise and evaluate research papers, to apply evidence to one's clinical practice, and to let clinical curiosity drive collaborations that solve patient problems are key attributes of a good clinical scientist. This comprehensive resource provides the foundations to help clinicians integrate fundamental research skills in their daily lives. Resident doctors will find the volume particularly helpful in developing their critical appraisal skills.' Subodh Dave, Subodh Dave, Dean, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Consultant Psychiatrist and Deputy Director of Undergraduate Medical Education, Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Bolton

This practical and comprehensive resource is a must-read for anyone interested in engaging with mental health research. Covering a range of topics and methodologies, this book provides readers with everything they need to know to navigate mental health research today. Focusing on topics relevant to today's early career researchers, chapters cover the principles of research, tools and methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, and contemporary applications. It also covers ethics, equity and co-production considerations. The inclusion of a Current Trends feature explores key concepts in current areas of lively discourse. This book will be useful for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals interested in engaging with and conducting mental health research. It will also be a valuable text for MRCPsych candidates sitting their Critical Review paper.

Section 1. Principles of Research: 1a. Getting Started in Research Vivienne Curtis, Samantha Scholtz and Nicholas Stokes
1b. Research Integrity William Lee
2. Principles of Open Science Pamela Jacobsen and Alexandra Lautarescu
3a. How to Write Up Research Zoë Hunter and Derek K. Tracy
3b. Maximizing Dissemination of your Publications Laura Hemming, Dafni Katsampa, Douglas Badenoch and Andre Tomlin
4. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Academic Careers and Research Stephen Orleans-Foli, Noah Linley-Adams and Lynis Lewis
5. Changing Times – Patient and Public Involvement in Research Julia Hamer-Hunt
Section 2. Tools and Methodologies: 6. Using Clinical Data Robert Stewart and Marcos Del Pozo Banos
7. Clinical Trials Inti Qurashi and Danish Hafeez
8. Principles of Psychological Assessment Emmeline Goodby and Phoebe Haynes
9. Qualitative Research Sohail Jannesari, Beverly Love and Vanessa Lawrence
10. Epidemiology and Population Level Research Craig Morgan, Samantha Davis and Gemma Knowles
11. Digital Innovation in Mental Health George Gillett, David Rigby and Romayne Gadelrab
Section 3. Contemporary Applications: 12. Children's and Neurodevelopmental Aspects of Mental Health Tarik Dahoun and Andrea Danese
13. Women's Mental Health Katie Hazelgrove and Paola Dazzan
14. Mental Health in Developing Countries Satish Suhas, Sowmya Selvaraj, Sonia Shenoy and Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
15. Social Psychiatry Ryan Williams and Tom K. J. Craig
16a. Current Trends in Evolutionary Perspectives Riadh Abed, Randolph Nesse and Paul St John-Smith
16b. Current Trends in Genetic Research James Walters, Isabella Willcocks and Antonio Pardinas
16c. Current Trends in Neuroimaging Research Sukhwinder S. Shergill and Raka Maitra
16d. Current Trends in Psychoimmunology Research Monty Lyman and Belinda Lennox.

Subject Areas: Clinical psychology [MMJ]