Service-Based Research Design and Data C

Public health research, particularly service-based research, is a challenging enterprise. Its execution requires grounding in scientifically-based, standardized approaches to research design and implementation, as well as flexibility and skill in adapting those techniques to the unique needs of any program, organization, setting, or population. Many of us have had experience with "studies" that did not adequately collect data needed to initiate, evaluate, and/or improve whatever health problem or issue it was supposed to. This course provides students with the requisite skills for conducting successful service-based research, including fundamental concepts and components of research design, the development of research questions and hypotheses, and decision-making strategies for study data collection protocols and materials. In this course, students will also actively engage in qualitative and quantitative data collection, becoming familiar with field considerations, pre-testing, interviewing techniques, and the design, preparation, and use of topic guides for in-depth interviews/focus groups, and structured questionnaires for in-person, self-administered, and on-line surveys. By the conclusion of the course, students will have a complete, self-designed questionnaire, and will be able to plan and execute a sound research study.