Course content - Learning outcome - Admission - Prerequisites - Teaching - Examination - Evaluation

Course content

This course consists of a series of lectures and workshops giving students a more thorough and practical knowledge of methods applied in health research. The course includes lectures about how to choose an appropriate research method, how to define sample size, and practical exercises in developing questionnaires, interview guides, conducting interviews and making observations.

Learning outcome

Students will be taught how to choose an appropriate research methodology for their indevidual research project and how to plan for field work and data collection.

Admission

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The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

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This course is only available for master students already admitted into the MPhil programme in International Community Health

Teaching

Compulsory lectures and workshops in January and February.

Access to teaching

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Examination

The research methodology paper should give a comprehensive review of relevant methodologies defined by your field of interest. The aim of the research methodology paper is to present your methodological consideration, and argue why and how your choice of methods will provide clear answers to your research questions within the time frame and budget you have available.

CONTENT OF THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY PAPER

The paper should elaborate on the following issues:
• Your general interest related to the topic of your investigation, rationale for selecting this topic (public health significance etc.), and specify your problem statement. (Not more than 1 page)

• A brief discussion of current knowledge and gaps in the research field of your proposed study

• A critical review of the methodologies employed in the literature relevant to the field of your proposed study, with a focus on benefits and drawbacks of the various methods.

• Your choice of methods, and explain why these methods are likely to provide relevant and useful answers to your research questions.

• A discussion of benefits and drawbacks of various methodologies you plan to use in relation to your research topic. In the discussion you should also address the potential complementarities of utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods to approach the same research problem.

The paper should be no longer than 20 pages. The paper must be typed, and each page marked with candidate number and page number.

Read carefully about the writing of scientific papers, stick strictly to the formal rules for such writing, but feel free to choose headings and subheadings as in a review paper.

Remember to list your references!

Examination support material

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Language of examination

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English

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

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Resit an examination

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Withdrawal from an examination

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Special examination arrangements

If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation

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