Although over 90 per cent of contact between doctors and patients takes place in general practice in the past the opportunity to use this resource as a research tool has largely been overlooked. The situation is now changing radically and GPs and other members of the primary health care team are becoming increasingly involved in research even though the discipline and methodology has not been part of their training. This book is designed to introduce a basic range of research skills relevant to primary care. The editors are practising GPs who also hold academic posts. They have substantial teaching experience particularly in research methods training and have selected authors with specialist expertise to produce a work that is clearly written and assumes no prior knowledge. Guiding the reader through the range of skills necessary for primary care research the book is an attractive text for GPs practice and community nurses as well as a useful reference for junior doctors and medical and nursing students.