HSC 485 - Applications of Research Methods in Health Sciences

Units: 3
Research paradigms and concepts commonly used in health sciences. It focuses on developing pertinent health research questions, and employing appropriate methods to address current and emerging issues in public health, particularly among at-risk populations.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: HSC 350 Health Behavior & Health Education Theory.
Prerequisites: All of: HSC 100, HSC 110, HSC 315, HSC 330, HSC 375, HSC 410.
Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground, or Hybrid.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Formulate a health research question and specific aims, based on a systematic and critical literature review, in alignment with public health priorities and practical applications, at the regional, national, and/or global level.
Identify appropriate research designs and associated methodologies, governed by an applicable theoretical framework (if any), and the value of data generated to accurately and comprehensively investigate the identified health issue.
Describe and apply principles of ethics, particularly protection of human subjects, to potential research activities.
Prioritize applicable methods, taking into account considerations of rigor, feasibility, cost, to develop a singular study addressing aforementioned research problem to increase knowledge base.
Develop an actionable research protocol which provides potential results valuable for dissemination and application to policies and practices in order to improve population and/or community health.