Unit Code: EPI616

Unit Name: Basic Health Research Methods and Design

Description: EPI 616 is conducted over a single semester and is fully administered online in four modules with 100% continuous assessments. Module 1 introduces students to health research and the importance of research methods and ethics in the health sciences. Module 2 discusses quantitative research methods in health research in detail where students will critically appriase study designs used in quantitative research using standard guidelines and checklists to write a scientific report. In module 2, students will critically appriase study designs used in quantitative research using standard guidelines and checklists to write a scientific report. They will appraie various epidemiologicalstudy designs, followed by choosimng appropriate population and sampling methods.In module 3, a discussion on philosophies of qualitative research methods and analytical techniques used to collect and analyze textual data will be discussed. In Module 4 students will apply all the concepts learnt in the past three modules, and evaluate study designs and produce a data analysis plan from a series of case studies provided to them on various health problems. Course assessment activities will include online quiz, assignments and case studies.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Discuss the basic foundations, epidemiological/biostatistical methods and ethical processes involved in conducting health research 2. Describe and evaluate quantitative research methods and evidence-based health care. 3. Discuss qualitative research methods in health and describe their advantages and limitations. 4. Apply appropriate research methods for planning data analysis to address given health problems.

Prerequisite: NA

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 15

Offered In: Semester 2