This course introduces core topics necessary to understand and conduct ethically sound and scientifically valid public health research. It builds on the skills gained in other fundamental public health courses such as principles of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will work to understand the importance of proper study and experimental design, using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Students will also gain skills in the design and execution of secondary data analysis and manuscript preparation. Foundational issues in sampling, data collection and structure, survey design and administration, and analytic interpretation will be covered.
FC 2. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context
FC 3. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate
PC 3. Develop strategies for qualitative and quantitative data management
Assignment and discussion descriptions mentioned below are summaries. Review full assignment prompts in the course.
Initial discussion posts are due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, unless otherwise specified in the course. Response posts must be completed by 11:59 PM ET Wednesday, unless otherwise specified in the course. The online discussion portion is an important way to exchange ideas with your classmates. You will be graded on your participation and the effort of your posts. These posts will take time to complete but they are an essential part of this online course and a great way to get to know your colleagues. Be familiar with the course material before posting each 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.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Week 1 Discussion: Introduction | 3 |
Week 1 Quiz: Introduction to Research | 3 |
Week 2 Discussion: Research Question | 6 |
Week 2 Assignment: CITI Training | 8 |
Week 3 Discussion: Background and Significance | 6 |
Week 3 Assignment: Power Analysis | 8 |
Week 4 Discussion: Quantitative Research Design | 6 |
Week 4 Assignment: Simple Statistical Analysis Using Excel | 8 |
Week 5 Discussion: Qualitative Research Design | 6 |
Week 5 Assignment: Content Analysis | 8 |
Week 6 Discussion: Community-Based Participatory Research Design | 6 |
Week 7 Discussion: Research Proposal Presentation | 10 |
Week 7 Assignment: Research Proposal | 15 |
Week 8 Discussion: Responding to Questions | 3 |
Week 8 Quiz: Research Funding | 4 |
Total | 100 |
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 |
Week 1: Jun 22 – Jun 29
Week 2: Jun 29 – Jul 6
Week 3: Jul 6 – Jul 13
Week 4: Jul 13 – Jul 20
Week 5: Jul 20 – Jul 27
Week 6: Jul 27 – Aug 3
Week 7: Aug 3 – Aug 10
Week 8: Aug 10 – Aug 14
Additional resources are not mentioned in this weekly summary. Review the modules in Brightspace for full course information.
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'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:
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.
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
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 Turnitin Student quick start guide.
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.