Population Health Research: Methods and Practice
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| EPID4035 | Epidemiology and Public Health | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- EPID4035
- School
- Epidemiology and Public Health
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This course aims to provide students with the skills to develop and deliver a research proposal from beginning to end, including the epidemiological underpinnings of study design and quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques.
• Refining a research topic / idea into a manageable research project
• Writing and refining a research question, aims and objectives
• Sources of data, including new technologies and searching for evidence relevant to population health
Epidemiological underpinning for population health research
Epidemiological study design for feasibility and practicality
• Qualitative data collection (interviews, focus groups, other data sources)
• Quantitative data collection (e.g. survey design)
• Qualitative and Quantitative data analysis
Statistical analysis in a population health context using a statistical software package
• To carry out basic statistical methods used in health research
To be able to interpret the basic statistical methods found in health research
Ethics and research governance
• An introduction to mixed methods research
An introduction to internet-based research
• Introduction to patient and public involvement (PPI)
• Dissemination / writing / presenting research
• Introduction to project management including financing
• Critical appraisal of all research types
Understanding and overcoming the challenges of population health research in reality using pragmatic approaches.
Application of research and analysis principles in real-world population health contexts
Target Students
Primarily postgraduate students on the Master of Public Health, Master of Public Health (Global Health) and Master of Public Health (Research Methods) and MSc Health Psychology. Places will be available to new staff and PhD students in School of Medicine who require training as part of their research role.
Classes
This module will be delivered in a variety of ways which may include lectures, seminars, workshops and labs.
Assessment
- 100% Portfolio: Multi component portfolio equivalent to 4000 words
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The overall aim of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to develop a population health focussed research proposal and manage the research process, including defining the research question, identifying a feasible and practical study design, understanding the epidemiological underpinnings, obtaining the appropriate regulatory approvals, identifying or collecting the research data, analysing the data using appropriate techniques and disseminating the findings to relevant audiences.Learning Outcomes
To understand the principles of research techniques in population health, and apply these to specific contexts using pragmatic approaches which address situational challenges.
To understand and critique the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs and their feasibility and applicability for a specific research question
To understand the ethical decision-making in population health research involving human participants and other data sources, and the regulatory processes needed to conduct research.
To understand quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches in research including statistical analysis in a population health context.
To apply theoretical-based, evidence-based, and practice-based research skills in a broad range of contemporary population health scenarios.
To apply epidemiological and analytical techniques to a range of contemporary population health research scenarios.
To develop a reflective and personal development skills which equip students to take flexible and pragmatic approaches to applied research contexts.
To develop independent, group working and leadership skills in the context of research project management, planning, and dissemination.
To explore skills in handling and analysing data using software packages