Moullin M
Maidenhead, Berkshire, United Kingdom: Open University Press; 2002

This book provides clear guidance on quality, excellence and performance measurement in health and social care and contains a large number of case studies in health, social care and the voluntary sector.

Stewart DW, Shamdasani PN
Thousand Oaks, California, USA: Sage Press; 1990

Focus groups can be a useful tool for gathering information about the performance of a process.

Schmid CF
New York, New York, USA: John Wiley & Sons; 1983

Principles of the graphical presentation of statistics in clear and informative ways. According to Schmid, “One picture can be worth a thousand words.”

Plsek PE
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: ASQC Press; 1997

Definition and theory of “directed creativity,” methods and tools, and application of directed creativity to the challenges of quality management.

Nelson W
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: American Society for Quality Control; 1986

Basic text on using run charts, simple plots of data over time, to obtain valuable information about the performance of a process.

Gustafson D, Cats-Baril W, Alemi F
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA: Health Adminstration Press; 1992

Advocates a systems approach to addressing health care problems, involving everyone who is part of the process, including the patient.

Tufte EG
Cheshire, Connecticut, USA: Graphics Press; 1990

The book provides practical advice about how to explain complex material and display information by visual means. It includes examples such as maps, charts, scientific presentations, diagrams, and use of color to illustrate the fundamental principles of information displays.

Wallgren A, Wallgren B, Persson R, Jorner U, Haaland J
Thousand Oaks, California, USA: Sage Publications; 1996

Describes how to use graphs and charts to visually represent numerical data and includes step-by-step instructions for creating charts, including a discussion of chart elements (axes, scales, patterns) and how to create charts that clearly represent the data.

Dillman D
New York, New York, USA: John Wiley & Sons; 1978

This is a practical resource for developing inexpensive mail and telephone surveys that achieve excellent response rates. Although this book was published many years ago, the strategies it presents are still applicable today.

Deming WE
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: The MIT Press; 2000

Presents the theory of management called the system of Profound Knowledge that consists of four parts: appreciation for a system, knowledge about variation, theory of knowledge, and psychology. Deming describes how a management style based on cooperation rather than competition can help people develop joy in work and learning while also achieving market growth. He explores reasons to get rid of job performance reviews and grades in school.