POPLHLTH 202 : Research Methods in Health

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A review of the different ways of approaching, designing and undertaking social science research in the health field, covering research paradigms and methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Course Overview

POPLHLTH 202 will introduce you to the theory and practice of health research. It will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative research methods in health. We will discuss the assumptions underlying different research methods, the basic tools for conducting research, how to assess health outcomes, and how to collect and analyse data for research. The course will illustrate methods using examples drawn from a range of areas in health. The course also covers the dissemination of research findings, evaluation of existing research and translation of research into policy and practice.
By the end of this semester, you will be expected to understand:
Different world views in health research.
The process of conducting health research.
How to develop good research questions
Key ethical considerations for conducting research.
Different research designs, including both quantitative and qualitative.
Where to find various sources of quantitative and qualitative data for health research.
How to select samples for qualitative and quantitative research designs.
Concepts and processes involved in gathering and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
How to disseminate research findings.
Important issues to consider when critiquing health research.
Issues around translating research findings into policy.

You will also be expected to have acquired skills in:
Writing research questions
Selecting appropriate literature to answer a research question
Reviewing the literature on a research topic
Turning research questions into testable hypotheses, where appropriate
Designing appropriate studies for different research questions
Designing appropriate tools to collect data
Planning analyses appropriate to the type of data collected

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of and appraise literature on a research topic. (Capability 1.2 and 2.2)
  2. Develop a research proposal appropriate for a research question (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.3)
  3. Explain the process of conducting research in health disseminating research findings and translating into policy (Capability 4.1 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Test 10% Individual Test
Literature review 25% Individual Coursework
Group research proposal 25% Group Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3
Test
Literature review
Group research proposal
Final Exam

Learning Resources

No textbook is prescribed for this course but most of the lectures have recommended readings. Students are expected to have perused these readings before the relevant sessions and to be prepared to discuss issues and questions arising from both. The readings have been designed to help students expand their reading on each topic and assist with assignment work. Students are, however, encouraged to read more widely. Student assignments are expected to go well beyond the references listed by staff.
Details of recommended readings will be distributed in the week before each lecture, with electronic copies posted on CANVAS where available.

Course Contacts

Dr Ruth Teh,
Course Director
 r.teh@auckland.ac.nz 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Other Information

This course is held at The University of Auckland Grafton Campus. Lectures are at 10 am on Tuesday and Thursday. Tutorials are on Tuesday and Thursday at 1 or 2 pm.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 18/06/2020 08:39 a.m.