Introduction to Health Research Methods

Abstract

This graduate-level public health research course is based on the assumption that the best way to learn how to do research is to do real research.  The course is structured around a series of three projects--a systematic review of the literature, a primary research proposal, and an analysis of a publicly-available dataset--that help students develop skills in identifying research questions, designing studies, analyzing data, and presenting their findings.  Weekly writing and editing assignments divide the projects into manageable portions; peer and professor feedback during each class session increases the quality of the products and fosters professional communication and collaboration skills.  Students are encouraged to pursue dissemination of the results of their data analysis projects through professional conferences and peer-reviewed journals.