Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - HSCI 207 D100

Research Methods in Health Sciences (3)

Class Number: 5628

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 23, 2023
    Sun, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    HSCI 130 with a minimum grade of C-. Corequisite: STAT 201 or 203 or 205.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Principles and applications in health sciences research methodology. Quantitative and qualitative methods. Research process and design. Appropriate approaches for diverse research questions. Research ethics, sources of data, sampling, measurement, data collection, initial data analysis techniques. Students with credit for HSCI 307 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course intends to provide students with a strong foundational knowledge of the research methods used in health research. It is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge needed to conduct health research. There will be one 2-hour lecture session each week and one 1-hour mandatory tutorial session each week that will include in-class exercises to assist in assignment and exam preparation.

NOTE: The first class on Thursday January 5 will be taught remotely. The instructor will contact students with details before class begins.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course students should be able to:

  • Apply the basic elements of the research process to health sciences problems.
  • Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative paradigms.
  • Interpret the research literature and judge its relevance to research questions.
  • Demonstrate competence in conducting a basic literature search for a health sciences research topic.
  • Distinguish the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of different study designs and the research questions they address.
  • Articulate the principles of ethical research practice and identify common ethical dilemmas and their resolutions.
  • Explore common study feasibility issues.
  • Describe processes of knowledge synthesis, dissemination, and exchange.
  • Demonstrate competence in applying these concepts in a research paper.

Grading

  • Participation (including online discussion and quizzes) 15%
  • Assignment 1 15%
  • Assignment 2 20%
  • Midterm exam 20%
  • Final exam 30%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Textbook for the course this year:

Health Research Methods: A Canadian perspective, First Edition (2014), by Kate Bassil, Denise Zabkiewicz.

REQUIRED READING:

Lecture notes and additional materials will be provided by the instructor.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Lecture notes and additional materials will be provided by the instructor.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html