Syllabus
Graduate Programs in Public Health
GPH 719 Research Methods – Spring B 2018
Credits - 3
Description
This course is designed to introduce core topics necessary to understand and conduct scientific research – particularly in the public health field. Students will work to understand the importance of proper study and experimental design, paying particular attention to formulating appropriate specific aims. Foundational issues in sampling, data collection and structure, survey design and administration, and analytic interpretation will be covered.
Course Format:
This course will be delivered through a web-based format and is designed for completion online. Within each of the eight modules, there are reading assignments, web-based projects, written assignments, and discussion questions or case studies. The weekly modules will be made available by 12:01 AM on Wednesdays.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Program Competencies
- Utilize quantitative and qualitative data to identify and analyze factors affecting the health of a community.
- Utilize effective communication skills to convey public health data and information to professionals and the public.
- Incorporate ethical standards in professional practice to promote health communities.
Course Outcomes
- Analyze a study’s use of quantitative and qualitative data.
- Utilize quantitative and qualitative data to support a specific research topic.
- Critique research articles and communicate findings.
- Develop a research proposal that clearly communicates, utilizing data, the need for a study.
- Evaluate a study’s incorporation of ethical standards to promote health in a community
Weekly Outcomes
- Examine a study’s validity to identify potential threats.
- Identify potential limitations in a study by using knowledge of measurement and validity/reliability.
- Examine common statistical techniques for interpreting data.
- Investigate potential problems regarding sample size.
- Evaluate the importance of proper data management.
- Review different ways to disseminate findings from a study.
- Craft a Research Strategy Proposal following SF 424 guidelines.
- Review several key fields of health research and their connections to the concepts discussed in this course.
- Apply measurement concepts in a study.
- Analyze current knowledge on a proposed topic and identify gaps that would allow for further research.
- Identify different types of data that are appropriate for a specific research question.
- Establish techniques for data analysis based upon the research design.
- Determine the appropriate sample size for a chosen study to understand the process.
- Craft a Research Strategy Proposal following SF 424 guidelines.
- Examine research frameworks and make connections to the concepts discussed in this course.
- Analyze a public health case using course terminology.
- Review a research article’s design and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
- Communicate reasons for a chosen study design using data to support choice.
- Discuss potential sampling strategies for different types of studies.
- Assess a study’s data management methods using the concepts from the readings.
- Craft a Research Strategy Proposal following SF 424 guidelines.
- Evaluate an article using the methods learned throughout the course.
- Review ethical issues in research for application in future projects.
- Craft a Research Strategy Proposal following SF 424 guidelines.
- Review the fundamental ethical principles for using any human subjects for research.
- Evaluate how to protect the autonomy of all people participating in a study.
- Analyze reasonable, non-exploitative, and well-considered procedures as well as, the fair distribution of costs and benefits to potential research participants.
Assignments
Discussion Board:
Each student is expected to post at least twice each week in response to forum questions on that week’s topic. Initial posts are due by 11:59pm ET on Sunday. Your response must be completed by 11:59pm ET Wednesday for credit. Because this is an online course, the online discussion portion is an important way to exchange ideas with your classmates. Students will be graded on their participation and effort of their posts. These posts will take time to complete but they are an essential part of this on-line course and a great way to get to know your colleagues. Please be familiar with the course material (readings/lectures) before posting each week. Full marks will be given to those who ask questions, bring in new data from the literature or other resources, and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topics for the week.
If the initial post and response are not submitted within the discussion week you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded.
Quiz: Modules 1-3
In Module 4 you will complete a quiz on the material you read in Modules 1 through 3.
Quiz: Modules 4-6
In Module 6 you will complete a quiz on the material you read in Modules 4 through 6.
Final Project: Research Strategy Proposal
The goal of this course is to equip you with the tools necessary to read and critique scientific literature, and to develop a working knowledge of the “anatomy” of a research project. To assess these skills the final project for this course will be the the creation of a Research Strategy Proposal.
In this final paper you will pull together all of the work you have done in the course toward developing a research concept. This assignment is based on the same guidelines (known as the SF424) you would use if you were to submit a research proposal to NIH or other federal PHS agency.
You can see the full SF 424 guidelines document here, including descriptions of each section on pages 131-136: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/SF424_RR_Guide_General_VerC.pdf In this assignment, you will only be writing specific aims and research strategy sections. Below is a simplified version of the SF424 guidelines.
Review the Final Project Document for a simplified version of the SF424 guidelines and for more information on the assignment expectations.
Completion of CITI Training
The CITI Human Subjects Protection course must be completed by the last day of the course, but can be started immediately.
Other Assignments
There are other assignments (both discussions and written submissions) each week that build to the final project for this course. Please review the Blackboard course for more information on each assignment.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Discussion Boards | 7 at 2 points each = 14 points |
| Journals | 2 at 3 points each = 6 |
| Week 2 Assignment: Literature Review | 13 |
| Week 3 Assignment: Study Design | 13 |
| Quizzes | 2 at 5 points each = 10 |
| Final Project: Research Strategy Proposal | 30 |
| CITI Training | 10 |
| Week 8 Assignment: Essay Questions | 4 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Weeks
- Week 1: Feb 28 – Mar 7
- Week 2: Mar 7 – Mar 14
- Week 3: Mar 14 – Mar 21
- Week 4: Mar 21 – Mar 28
- Week 5: Mar 28 – Apr 4
- Week 6: Apr 4 – Apr 11
- Week 7: Apr 11 – Apr 18
- Week 8: Apr 18 – Apr 22 (Sunday)
Course Schedule
The assignment/discussion descriptions mentioned below are summaries. Please make sure to review the full assignment prompts in Blackboard. There may be additional readings/videos that are not mentioned in this weekly summary, make sure to carefully review the modules in Blackboard.
Module 1: Introduction to Research Methods
Module Objectives:
- Analyze a public health case using course terminology.
- Develop research questions for a potential research project.
- Review ethical issues in research for application in future projects.
Readings:
- Jacobsen: Chapters 1, 2, 4, 23, & 24
- Other readings as listed
Lecture:
- Introduction and Research Questions
Assignments:
- Discussion: Introductions and IRBs
- Journal: Research Topics and Questions
- Get started on the CITI training course
Module 2: Measurement, Validity, and Reliability
Module Objectives:
- Apply measurement concepts in a study.
- Examine a study’s validity to identify potential threats.
- Identify potential limitations in a study by using knowledge of measurement and validity/reliability.
- Analyze current knowledge on a proposed topic and identify gaps that would allow for further research.
Readings:
- Jacobsen: Chapters 3 & 7
- Other readings as listed
Lecture:
- Measurement, Validity, and Reliability
Assignments:
- Discussion: Validity
- Written Assignment: Literature Review for the final project
Module 3: Study Design
Module Objectives:
- Review a research article’s design and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
- Evaluate various study designs to identify an appropriate one for a study.
- Communicate reasons for a chosen study design using data to support choice.
Readings:
- Jacobsen: Chapters 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, & 14
- Other readings as listed
Lecture:
- Study Designs
Assignments:
- Discussion: Study design analysis
- Written Assignment: Identify a study design for the final project.
Module 4: Surveys, Gathering and Interpreting Data
Module Objectives:
- Identify different types of data that are appropriate for a specific research question.
- Examine common statistical techniques for interpreting data.
- Establish techniques for data analysis based upon research design.
Readings:
- Jacobsen: 18, 19, 20, 27, 28, 29 & 30
- Other readings as listed
Lecture:
- Gathering and Interpreting Data
Assignments:
- Discussion: Data collection for the final project
- Quiz: Modules 1-3
Module 5: Sampling and Sample Size
Module Objectives:
- Investigate potential problems regarding sample size.
- Determine the appropriate sample size for a chosen study to understand the process.
- Discuss potential sampling strategies for different types of studies.
Readings:
- Jacobsen: Chapters 15, 16, & 17
- Other readings as listed
Lecture:
- Sampling and Sample Size
Assignments:
- Discussion: Statistical and ethical considerations for getting a study’s sample size right.
- Journal: Calculate the sample size for your Final Project using G*Power sample size calculator.
Module 6: Data Management
Module Objectives:
- Evaluate the importance of proper data management.
- Assess a study’s data management methods using the concepts from the readings.
Readings:
- Jacobsen: Chapter 25
- Other readings as listed
Lecture:
- Data Management
Video:
- Programs, Data and Database
Assignments:
- Discussion: Database management case study analysis
- Quiz: Modules 4-6
- Reminder: Next week the Final Project is due
Module 7: Dissemination
Module Objectives:
- Review different ways to disseminate findings fro a study.
- Develop ways to disseminate findings for a specific research project.
- Communicate a dissemination plan to classmates.
- Craft a Research Strategy Proposal following SF 424 guidelines.
Readings:
- Jacobsen: Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, & 36
- Other readings as listed
Lecture:
- Dissemination
Assignments:
- Discussion: Create a plan to disseminate your final project
- Final Project Submission: Research Strategy Proposal
Module 8: Applied Research Fields
Module Objectives:
- Review several key fields of health research and their connections to the concepts discussed in this course.
- Examine research frameworks and make connections to the concepts discussed in this course.
- Evaluate an article using the methods learned throughout the course.
- Review the fundamental ethical principles for using any human subjects for research.
- Evaluate how to protect the autonomy of all people participating in a study.
- Analyze reasonable, non-exploitative, and well-considered procedures as well as, the fair distribution of costs and benefits to potential research participants.
Readings:
- Readings as listed
Lecture:
- Applied Research Fields
Assignments:
- Written Assignment: Essay Questions
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AMA Writing Style Statement
The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.
Online resources: AMA Style Guide
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.
Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.