Paramedic Research - Principles, Designs and Methods

Starting your first research project or advancing your research career? With more research happening in the paramedic setting comes the demand to understand its relevance, and embrace it as an integral component of clinical practice.

Harnessing the expertise of over 40 contributors, Paramedic Research: Principles. Designs and Methods guides you through the entirety of the research process, from designing research questions to data collection, analysis and best practice for presenting your findings. The book is structured into three sections to make it accessible for a wide range of readers, and draws on examples of research undertaken in settings familiar to unscheduled, urgent and emergency care staff:

• Section 1 provides an overview of key concepts and frameworks essential for conducting paramedic research, equipping readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to begin to address the complexities of research design and methodology.
• Section 2 delves deeper into quantitative and qualitative research design and data collection methods. It also explores mixed method research design, offering a holistic approach to understanding complex phenomena in paramedicine.
• Section 3 addresses critical issues such as ethics and governance in research, and explores strategies for developing research proposals, securing funding and more. 

Whether you’re a student paramedic, early career researcher or a clinician eager to integrate research into clinical practice, this practical resource is your essential starting point. 

Julia Williams PhD, PhD, PGCert ED, PG Cert; BSc (Hons), Dip HE FCPara, 

Professor of Paramedic Science and Director of the Paramedic Clinical Research Unit (ParaCRU) at the University of Hertfordshire, UK 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0796-5465 
 

Julia, a registered paramedic and Professor of Paramedic Science at the University of Hertfordshire, has been involved in paramedic education and development since 1996. As Head of Research for the College of Paramedics, she actively promotes paramedics' contributions to clinical research and advocates for their involvement in health and care research studies. Julia has extensive experience with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research in paramedic practice, emergency and urgent care, paramedic education, and workforce wellbeing, both in the UK and overseas. She has led research in the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust since 2005 and is a member of the National Ambulance Research Steering Group (NARSG). Julia has served on multiple trial steering groups, funding panels, and committees. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of the British Paramedic Journal and has mentored several paramedic PhD students. She firmly believes that a career in paramedic research is full of opportunities and exciting challenges, and hopes this book will be a valuable resource for everyone interested in research at all different levels.

Graham McClelland, PhD, FCPara

Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow / Assistant Professor in Health, Dept. of Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University Honorary Research Fellow, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Visiting Clinical Researcher, Stroke Research Group, Newcastle University Visiting Professor, School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4502-5821

Graham is a registered paramedic and Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at Northumbria University. Graham joined the North East Ambulance Service in 2003 and worked in a variety of clinical roles until he started getting involved in research which took him down a different career path. 

Graham is a pragmatic, applied healthcare researcher who has been involved in studies across the breadth of conditions encountered by paramedics, but his main focus has been on stroke. In addition to this Graham has served on the editorial board of the British Paramedic Journal since it was setup, is a reviewer for multiple journals and funding bodies and has been a member of both NHS and university ethics committees. Graham is privileged to be able to support, mentor and supervise paramedics from internships through to PhD students. He thinks this is an exciting time to be involved in prehospital and emergency care research and hopes that paramedic researchers will continue to seek ways to improve the care delivered to patients.