Research Methods In Public Health
- Health Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 160 pages
- 12 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of research methods in public health. It covers various research types, including descriptive, analytical, and qualitative approaches. Students will learn about research design, data collection methods, data preparation, and analysis techniques. The course also emphasizes report writing and proposal development, equipping students with the skills to conduct and communicate public health research effectively. Practical illustrations of bio- and vital statistics related to public and environmental health are included.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Intermediate
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHS421, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHS421 · UNIT 2: OTHER RESEARCH FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS
From what has been stated above, we can say that methods are more general. It is the method that generates techniques. However, in practice, the two terms are taken as interchangeable and when we talk of research methods we do, by implication, include research techniques within their compass.
What you should be able to do
- Explain research methodologies in public health
- Apply statistical techniques to analyze health data
- Develop research proposals
- Interpret epidemiological data
- Write comprehensive research reports
What it prepares you for
- Public Health Researcher
- Epidemiologist
- Biostatistician
- Health Data Analyst
- Research Consultant
- Healthcare
- Government Health Agencies
- Research Institutions
- Pharmaceuticals
- Non-profit Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Data Preparation
Unit 1: Data Preparation
Requires understanding of complex data transformation techniques and statistical software proficiency.
- Module 4: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices
Unit1: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices
Demands strong analytical skills to interpret various morbidity and mortality indices.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Meaning of Research
Unit 1: Meaning of Research · 3 hours
Define research, explore its objectives, and differentiate between descriptive and analytical research approaches.. Understand the research process flowchart and its implications..
- Week 2Module 1: Meaning of Research
Unit 2: Other Research Features and Characteristics · 3 hours
Examine quantitative and qualitative research, conceptual and empirical research, and longitudinal research.. Differentiate between cohort and control studies..
- Week 3Module 1: Meaning of Research
Unit 3: Sampling · 3 hours
Study sampling characteristics, precision, and unbiased character.. Learn about simple random sampling, systematic sampling, and stratified sampling..
- Week 4Module 2: Data Collection
Unit 1: Data Collection · 3 hours
Define data, observation, and observational units.. Understand experiments, surveys, and the collection of demographic data..
- Week 5Module 2: Data Collection
Unit 2: Population Census · 3 hours
Explore census preparatory phases, topics covered, and uses of population census in public health.. Study records of vital statistics and civil registration systems..
- Week 6Module 2: Data Collection
Unit 3: Life Table · 3 hours
Examine sample registration systems, natural increase methods, and population density.. Apply arithmetic and geometric progression methods..
- Week 7Module 3: Data Preparation
Unit 1: Data Preparation · 3 hours
Study questionnaire checking, editing, coding, and classification.. Understand tabulation and graphical representation..
- Week 8Module 3: Data Preparation
Unit 2: Public Health Statistics · 3 hours
Learn about data cleaning, data adjusting, missing values, and outliers.. Explore various types of analysis..
- Week 9Module 4: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices
Unit1: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices · 3 hours
Examine measures of incidence and prevalence.. Understand direct and indirect standardization..
- Week 10Module 4: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices
Unit1: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices · 3 hours
Study years of life lost and measures of disease burden.. Explore errors in epidemiological measurement and their avoidance..
- Week 11Module 4: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices
Unit 2: Summary of Biostatistics · 3 hours
Review applications and uses of biostatistics as a science and as figures.. Understand common statistical terms..
- Week 12Module 4: Further Features of Morbidity and Mortality Indices
Unit 2: Summary of Biostatistics · 3 hours
Learn about measures of location, averages, and percentiles.. Study grouped series and applications of percentiles..
- Week 13Module 5: Writing Report
Unit 1: Writing Report · 3 hours
Set clear objectives, understand sound structure, and learn essential features of report writing.. Explore the middle portion of a report and how to put over content effectively..
Unit 2: Proposal Writing · 3 hours
Understand statement of need, proposal content, and recommendation.. Learn about costs, details, closing statements, and additions in proposal writing..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries for each unit, focusing on key definitions and formulas
- Practice data analysis using sample datasets from Units 7-9
- Develop mock research proposals based on the structures outlined in Unit 12
- Review and understand the different sampling methods covered in Unit 3
- Focus on understanding the application of biostatistical methods in public health scenarios from Module 4
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHS421 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of research methods in public health. It covers various research types, including descriptive, analytical, and qualitative approaches. Students will learn about research design, data collection methods, data preparation, and analysis techniques. The course also emphasizes report writing and proposal development, equipping students with the skills to conduct and communicate public health research effectively. Practical illustrations of bio- and vital statistics related to public and environmental health are included.
How many units does PHS421 have?
PHS421, Research Methods In Public Health, has 12 units across 5 modules, over 160 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHS421?
PHS421 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Health Sciences.
Is PHS421 hard?
PHS421 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does PHS421 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is PHS421 assessed?
PHS421 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PHS421?
Public Health Researcher, Epidemiologist, Biostatistician, Health Data Analyst and Research Consultant.