Course Title:       Research Methods in Public Health

      Course Number: PBH 359

      Pre-requisites:     STT 210

      Credits:                  3

      Semester(s) Offered: Fall/Spring

Course Instructor:

      Name:      Dr. Darwin Dennison       

      Phone:      910-962-7571

      Email:     dennison@uncw.edu

      Office (Building & Room): McNeill Hall 2039

      Office Hours: Virtual - Mon, Tues, Wed 8 to 10 am; McNeill - Mon, Wed 3 to 5 pm.

           

Course Description:

Designed to familiarize students with the fundamental principles, underlying research, and evaluative

methods in public health. Focus will be on types of research design, sampling methodologies, statistical

analysis, interpretation of results, scholarly writing, and critical evaluation of research conclusions.

Required Texts and Resources:

  • Cottrell & McKenzie, (2011) Health Promotion & Education Research Methods: Using the Five-Chapter Thesis / Dissertation Model 2nd Ed   Jones & Bartlett    
  • Additional readings as assigned by the instructors

     

Student Learning Objectives

Assignment

Demonstrate an understanding of basic research methods and techniques and how they are used in solving research problems.

1, 2

Describe basic concepts of probability, random variation, and commonly used statistical probability distributions.

4, 5, 6

Apply descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the type   of study design for answering a particular research question.

1, 4, 5, 6

Apply common statistical methods for inference.

4, 5, 6

Describe preferred methodological alternatives to commonly used statistical methodswhen assumptions are not met.

4, 5, 6

Analyze, summarize, and interpret research writing and statistical analyses in public health studies.

4, 5, 6

Demonstrate an ability to plan a research study.

2

Writing Intensive WI 1. Locate appropriate sources of information to support written arguments. [Foundational Knowledge]

1

WI 2. Evaluate and use evidence to generalize, explain, and interpret content. [Information Literacy; Critical Thinking]

1, 5

WI 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical use and citation of the ideas of others used as supporting material in written work. [Inquiry; Information Literacy; Thoughtful Expression]

1, 3, 6

WI 4. Demonstrate the ability to write critically, using the conventions of the discipline covered in the course. [Critical Thinking; Thoughtful Expression]

1

WI 5. Analyze and evaluate the claims, arguments, and theories presented in course materials using appropriate methods (such as logical analysis and the identification of fallacies). [Foundational Knowledge; Information Literacy; Critical Thinking; Thoughtful Expression].

1

Quantitative Reasoning QRE 1. Create, solve, and interpret basic mathematical models. [Foundational Knowledge, Inquiry, Information Literacy, Critical Thinking]

1, 2, 4, 5

QRE 2. Make sound arguments based on mathematical reasoning and/or careful analysis of data. [Foundational Knowledge, Inquiry, Information Literacy, Critical Thinking]

1, 3, 5

QRE 3. Effectively communicate the substance and meaning of mathematical problems and solutions. [Critical Thinking, Thoughtful Expression]

1, 3, 4, 5

Portfolio Artifact Generating Course:

This course has been identified as a "Portfolio Artifact Generating Course" by the Public Health Studies faculty. This means that in this course you will create a required artifact that must be included in your professional portfolio. The artifact for this course is described below. The entire artifact must be completed and presented prior to graduation from the Public Health Studies major at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington as part of PBH 497. As part of this course, you should have a copy of these artifacts saved in MS Word on a flash drive and in your Timmy folder for use when you take PBH 497.

Academic Honor Code: All members of UNCW's community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class. Please be especially familiar with UNCW's position on plagiarism as outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else's ideas and represent them as your own. Please review the Honor Code to make certain that you are adhering to all policies.

Students with Disabilities: UNCW Disability Resource Center supplies information about disability law, documentation procedures, and accommodations that can be found at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/disability/. To obtain accommodations, the student should first contact the Disability Resource Center and present their documentation to the coordinator for assistance.

Campus Respect Compact: UNCW has recently instituted a Respect Compact to affirm our commitment to a civil community, characterized by mutual respect.The Compact is posted in each classroom and can be accessed at:  http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/pdc/documents/SeahawkRespectCompact.pdf

 

Grading Criteria and Assignments: All assignments will be evaluated on quality, presentation, and promptness.

 

Assignment

Points

1

Literature Review Paper: (Artifact) Students will write a 12-15 page literature review of a topic within Public Health. The paper should be a comprehensive review and critical analysis of the research conducted in the selected subject. [Summary of Studies (SOS) Process]

20

2

Research Proposal Paper: (Artifact) A 5-6 page paper proposing a research project relating to the topic of their literature review. The proposal should include the research question, a detailed methodology section, the study design, and identification of appropriate statistical analyses to utilize in the study. [Use SOS Process]

20

3

IRB Training/Certificate: Student will complete the UNCW IRB online training program and provide a certificate of completion with a final total score of 80% or better.

5

4

Inferential Statistics Assignments: Students will complete applied work sheets applying statistical analysis and interpretation examples.

15

5

Mock Research Study Data Analysis: Students will be provided with raw data from a theoretical research study. They will identify the methodology /design of the study and perform the appropriate statistical analysis (based on what was covered in class and in the text,) come to a conclusion, and write up a results section describing the conclusions.

10

6

Tests 3 (10 points, 10 points, 10 points)

30

 

Total Points

100

 

Grading Scale:     

Grade

Percent

A

93-100

A-

90-92

B+

87-89

B

83-86

B-

80-82

C+

77-79

C

73-76

C-

70-72

D+

67-69

D

63-66

D-

60-62

F

<60

Course Schedule:

Week

Content

Assignments

1

Introduction to Research and the Research Requirement

Ch. 1 Introduction

2

Finding a Topic and Getting Started

Ch. 2 SOS 1

3

The Literature Review

Ch. 3 SOS 2

4

Theory and Research

Ch. 4 SOS 3

5

Research Questions and Hypotheses

Ch. 5 Iteration 1 Lit. Rev.

6

Research Ethics

Ch. 6 Test 1

7

Selecting Study Participants

Ch. 7 Iteration 1 Proposal

8

Instrumentation

Ch. 8 IRB Training Done

9

Quantitative Research Methods: Experimental (Probability)

Ch. 9 Iterations 2

10

Quantitative Research Methods: Non Experimental (Inference)

Ch. 10 Test 2 Iterations 3

11

Qualitative Research Methods and Mass Analysis

Ch. 11 Artifact Drafts

12

Data Analysis and Reporting the Findings

Ch. 12 Inferential Stats

13

Conclusions, Discussion, and Recommendations

Ch. 13 Mock Research

14

Sharing Your Findings, Publications, Presentations: CSURF Poster

Ch. 14 Reports

15

Summary and Review

Reports Continued

16

Final

 

 

 

Course Policies and Agreements

PBH 359 Research Methods in Public Health is a face to face, writing intensive course that is web-enhanced with online components including assignments and tests.

Attendance:

Students agree to attend class on time. Two ‘tardies’ equal one class absence. Missing more than 3 classes will result in your final grade being lowered one letter grade or an equivalent-related point removal. Additional absences will lower the grade for each class missed.  All scheduled outside events are mandatory, unless arrangements are made with your instructor prior to the event.

 

Students agree that their attendance at exams as scheduled is required with no exceptions.  Students also agree to meet all Wednesday assignment deadlines at 5 pm.  Exceptions, other than immediate emergencies, must be approved prior to the deadline.

Students should not come to class if injury is severe or illness is contagious. The intent is that attending may negate or invalidate attentive participation  in the class or spread the infection to others.  For injury or illness that requires a student to be absent from classes for three or more days, the student must obtain a medical confirmation note from the Student Health Center or an off-campus medical professional. The medical confirmation note must contain the date and time of the illness and medical professional’s confirmation of needed absence.

Participation:

Participation includes preparedness; contributions to class discussions, activities, and group projects and general attentiveness. During discussion, there is less concern with “right” or “wrong” than with thoughtful contributions, reflective thinking, and creative ideas. Allow yourself to learn from others and others to learn from you.

The success of our class depends on the participation of each student. If you miss class for any reason, you are fully responsible for all material covered in class and any assignments or announcements missed. 

No student may record the classroom activity without the written consent of the instructor and the agreement of active participants. Contact Disability Services if you feel you need this type of assistance.

Distractions: 

 

Laptops, cell phones and other electronic devices cannot be used during class unless required as part of the protocol. Cell phones should be silenced and students are not to make calls, access applications or text during class.  If you have a personal, urgent matter for which you need to be on call, please let the instructor know in advance. Side conversations/private commenting are also distractive. University policy prohibits consuming food and beverages in classrooms. The above cited events are all distractions. Two distractions results in the reduction of your final grade being lowered by one grade or an equivalent-point removal.

Assignments:

Chapters and reading assignments must be completed before the Monday of the topic for that week.  That is, Chapter 1 must be read before the class begins on Monday or the first day of the class if there is a holiday on that Monday. Students will lose points for not being prepared with reading and written assignments.

This course will be paperless and all assignments will be posted electronically and corrected assignments will be returned electronically. On Wednesdays assignments are due at 5 pm, no exceptions. Upload the electronic version of your assignment to Blackboard. No assignments will be accepted via email.   Late assignments receive 0 points, incomplete or incorrect assignments will not receive full credit. No papers or assignments will be accepted during class. 

 

 

Artifact Development and Review:

This is a writing course. Forty percent of the grade is based upon successful completion of the Artifacts. Artifacts are a major component of the class.  Numerous iterations will be required to fine tune ideas, definitions, concepts, facts and writing. Totally excellent artifacts may be used for applied learning experiences, internships, directed independent research, directed independent study (DIS) and presentations.

Collaboration is acceptable and encouraged to discuss artifacts with other students and the instructor. However, you must completely understand the detail of your artifact. If you receive outside help, acknowledge the source, use the proper method for crediting evidence and understand all relationships and implications.

Artifacts will be reviewed by all students and the instructor. Students are encouraged to help each other with articles, content organization, and understanding of the content and premises of the selected area of research.

There is 0 tolerances for plagiarism. Plagiarism means using words, ideas, or arguments from another person or source without citation. Cite all sources consulted to any extent (including material from the internet), whether or not assigned and whether or not quoted directly. For quotations or sentence content, four or more words used in sequence must be set off in quotation marks, with the source identified. 

Tests:

Tests account for 30 percent of grade. All tests will be delivered electronically via Blackboard in Hanover Hall 229 on the scheduled test day.  You will have 50 minutes to complete tests. Objective, fact-based questions will be delivered one at a time. Tests will include material covered in class, out-of-class assignments/events, artifact development, SOS’s and textbook information.  Please understand that once you open a question, you must answer the question before you move on to the next question. You cannot return to the question. Submit your test at the end of the time period or before if you’re finished. You will not be able to electronically review the correct answers online. If you wish to review your test, email me for an appointment.

Instructor Review:

Any errors or concerns regarding grading/scoring of assignments, artifacts, projects or tests must be adjudicated before the next assignment period, which is one week. After one (1) week grades/scores cannot be adjusted unless the adjustment is mathematical or for an issue that includes the entire class. Cheating will immediately earn you a failing grade for the entire course.  A description of the incident will be reported to the Associate Dean for review and disposition according to university policy.

 

Academic Expectations:

 

In choosing UNCW, you have become part of a community of scholars. I recognize that the learning experience is challenging and requires hard work. It also requires a commitment to make time available to do that hard work. I expect you to make academics your highest priority by dedicating your time and energy to training your mind and acquiring knowledge. Academic success in critical thinking, applied learning and problem solving prepares you for the changes and challenges you will encounter in the future. Our faculty and academic support resources are readily available as partners in this effort, but the primary responsibility for learning is yours.