AORN JOURNAL MAY 1986, VOL. 43, NO 5

Book Reviews

Legislation, qualitative research needed in the health care profession

A Political Handbook for Health Professionah. Marilyn Bagwell, Sallee Clements. Little, Brown and Co, 34 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02106,1985, 308 pp, $15.95 paperback.

The coauthors have turned their involvement in the legislative process into a how-to reference for the nurse or health professional who wants to initiate or participate in politics at any level.

The authors give an overview of the US political and legislative system and then examine specific components of political action: power, negotiation, and law. Step-by-step descriptions are given of how to negotiate and communicate with legis- lators, lobby, and understand party activity. Numerous examples are given of actions health professionals and organzations can take to give themselves a voice in the legislative process (ie, lobbying, political campaign). The authors also tell how to join force and work together with other organizations such as networks, coalitions, and political action committees.

An exceptional chapter on using mass media provides descriptions as well as examples, formats, and tactical strategic guidance. An appendix lists federal and state offices and health professional organizations.

This book is easy to read and timely because of the political changes in the health care field. It removes the mystery of the political process, shows the dynamics of getting involved, and gives the essential elements to ensure success. It makes you feel like “you” could do it.

JACQUELINE PAWLOWSKI, RN, CURN TULSA, OKLA

Qualitative Research Methods in Nursing. Madeleine M. Leininger, ed. Grune & Stratton, 11 1 5th Ave, 12th floor, New York, NY 10003, 1985,361 pp, $29.95 paperback.

Many nurse researchers are discovering that the traditional quantitative research approach is not always sufficient or appropriate. This author provides another option: qualitative research methods for complex, holistic, humanistic, and multicultural dimensions of nursing care. The refreshing aspect of this book is that the author acknowledges both qualitative and quantitative methods. She does not present the methods as “either or” but rather as being compatible.

The author succinctly describes the basic philosophy of qualitative research and contrasts this with quantitative research. That discussion is presented brilliantly and is illustrated by a chart outlining the differences.

The qualitative methods included in the text are grounded theory, ethnography, ethnonursing, ethnoscience, phenomology, life history, and historical techniques. A chapter is devoted to each, and because the chapters are written by different individuals, the depth of content and clarity vary tremendously. On the whole, each author describes why the method was chosen, how the study was conducted, and the results.

The book was written as an introductory text; however, prior knowledge of qualitative termi- nology would be helpful. It still would be a valuable guide for beginning qualitative research.

CINDY MARTINDILL, RN HOUSTON

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