Unit Code: EPI837

Unit Name: Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Qualitative Research Methods in Health

Description: EPI837 is an existing course at the School of Public Health and Primary Care and is a core course for the PGDSRH programme. Students will learn the relevance of epidemiology, statistics and research as they apply to sexual and reproductive health. It is conducted over a single semester and is fully administered online in four modules. Module 1 introduces the theories and approaches in health research. Module 2 describes quantitative methods in health research in detail, including an overview of epidemiological and bio statistical concepts. This module will also have students to discuss various study designs in Epidemiology (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, experimental study designs and systematic reviews/meta-analyses) and critically appraise the literature. Also, students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of statistical concepts and apply appropriate analytical techniques to analyse numerical health data. Module 3 involves a discussion on philosophy of qualitative research methods and analytical techniques used to analyse textual data. In Module 4 students will apply all the concepts learnt in the three modules, and design and create a research project plan to address a specific SRH problem. Course assessment activities will include online quizzes, assignments and a research project plan submitted at the end of this course. The students will also discuss the Graduate Attributes of the PGDSRH programme.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1. Discuss methods used in health research. 2. Describe epidemiological principles and discuss study designs used in quantitative research. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of bio-statistical concepts and apply appropriate analytical techniques to analyse a health problem. 4. Describe qualitative research methods and apply tools to analyse data in qualitative studies. 5. Design a research study and create a project plan to address a specific health problem.

Prerequisite: NA

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 20

Offered In: Semester 1,2