Quality of Life Research
A Critical Introduction
1st Edition
Published on 18. March 2003
286 pages
978-1-84787-670-6 (ISBN)
Description
`Many books have been published on quality of life research in recent years, but few are as thought provoking or original as this one. It is essential reading for anyone who a serious and critical interest in this topic' - Nurse Researcher
`This was a fun book to read and I would suggest it be used for a graduate level seminar - where, of course, it would lead to a lively discussion' -
Quality of Life Research
`Quality of life' is one of the fastest growing areas of research and policy. The concept has an intuitive appeal as a measure of the well-being of individuals, communities and nations. It is increasingly promoted as an aid for political decisions and public funding. But what does the concept really mean? And how can it be operationalized in teaching and research?
This is the first introductory text to offer a critical overview of the concept of quality of life and the ways in which it is researched. Using an inter-disciplinary approach, the book covers every aspect of the concept and its application - from the calculation of Quality-Adjusted Life Years to conversation analysis, and from the estimation of the quality of life of nation states to ethnographic studies of the life quality of individual disadvantaged people.
The book fills a huge gap in teaching and research. Written with authority, and the need to produce an accessible critical introduction to the field, it will be of interest to students of sociology, psychology, public health and nursing, health economics, politics and medicine.
`This was a fun book to read and I would suggest it be used for a graduate level seminar - where, of course, it would lead to a lively discussion' -
Quality of Life Research
`Quality of life' is one of the fastest growing areas of research and policy. The concept has an intuitive appeal as a measure of the well-being of individuals, communities and nations. It is increasingly promoted as an aid for political decisions and public funding. But what does the concept really mean? And how can it be operationalized in teaching and research?
This is the first introductory text to offer a critical overview of the concept of quality of life and the ways in which it is researched. Using an inter-disciplinary approach, the book covers every aspect of the concept and its application - from the calculation of Quality-Adjusted Life Years to conversation analysis, and from the estimation of the quality of life of nation states to ethnographic studies of the life quality of individual disadvantaged people.
The book fills a huge gap in teaching and research. Written with authority, and the need to produce an accessible critical introduction to the field, it will be of interest to students of sociology, psychology, public health and nursing, health economics, politics and medicine.
Reviews / Votes
'Quality of Life Research provides a superb summary of a complex and fragmented field of social science research. Mark Rapley has achieved a remarkable command of the topic, and explores the research findings in a clear, critical and comprehensive study' - Bryan Turner, University of Cambridge'[Quality of Life Research] is a major achievement, pulling together a very wide range of material and offering a coherent and cogent critique' - Mike Bury, Royal Holloway, University of London
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More details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
ISBN-13
978-1-84787-670-6 (9781847876706)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2003
1st Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€94.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
03/2003
1st Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€274.84
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Mark Rapley is Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology.
A graduate of the then NELP MSc in Clinical Psychology, he worked as a clinical psychologist in NHS learning disability services, and, until recently, as an academic and consultant to intellectual disability services in Western Australia.
A graduate of the then NELP MSc in Clinical Psychology, he worked as a clinical psychologist in NHS learning disability services, and, until recently, as an academic and consultant to intellectual disability services in Western Australia.
Content
PART ONE: THEORY
Introduction
Where Has QOL Come from?
A Life of Quality
Just What Does QOL Mean?
Whose Quality of Life Is It Anyway?
Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
PART TWO: PRACTICE
Researching QOL as Cultural Object
QOL in Health and Social Care Research
QOL Research with Special Populations
Researching QOL as a Psychological Object
Should We `Hang Up Quality of Life as a Hopeless Term'?
Introduction
Where Has QOL Come from?
A Life of Quality
Just What Does QOL Mean?
Whose Quality of Life Is It Anyway?
Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches
PART TWO: PRACTICE
Researching QOL as Cultural Object
QOL in Health and Social Care Research
QOL Research with Special Populations
Researching QOL as a Psychological Object
Should We `Hang Up Quality of Life as a Hopeless Term'?
