So, you have seen an interesting clinical problem, been prompted to read around the subject and found yourself asking more questions than seem to have answers: a typical starting point for research. What next? Guidance from a venerable and respected senior? A search along the library shelves for the section marked ‘research methodology’? Either is entirely reasonable and, in some ways, this slender volume combines the two. Written in a conversational, easy style by authors with a wealth of research and teaching experience, the book promises “to entice people… into research”. Having developed out of a series of research methodology seminars for medical students, it retains a discursive and thought-provoking approach, spiced up with anecdotes from the history of medical endeavour.

The structure reflects this emphasis, with almost half the book devoted to a chapter on methodology. This contains a good review of subject selection and useful discussion on the different areas of investigation in psychiatric research and on methods used. The authors' background in neurobiological research is evident in their succinct summaries on imaging and neurotransmitters, but there is no overindulgence.

The introductory chapter engages with a wide-ranging discussion on the nature of scientific enquiry and the ethics of research on humans and animals — particularly topical at present. If you are looking for a handy guide to statistics, however, you will not find it here. The authors boldly state that “this is not a textbook on statistics”. (Would that they might turn their hand to one — their style and ability to communicate could cut through much that is daunting in existing texts.)

A subsequent ‘how to…’ section covers reading and writing a paper, and writing a grant proposal. Again, it is full of sensible and deceptively simple advice but also contains a curious account of a fictional grants committee reviewing a lovingly written paper. Populated with characters such as Roberta Receptor (the molecular biologist), Zachery Zingo (the ageing but still research-productive chairman) and Sam Shark (“smooth face, slick hair, a toothy smile and a hard, slick mind”), this entertaining endnote suggests a flair for screenplay that might entice Hollywood should the authors ever tire of biobehaviourism. One last point: most sections of the book are followed by links to websites (both North American and British) for further reference and debate. Having checked several out, I found them relevant and useful.

This is an engaging short text, which does not set out to be (and is not) a reference guide. For newcomers to research, however, it more than achieves its aim of enticement, and brings with it a sense of fun and adventure rooted in sound advice and scientific principle.