PHCL-520: RESEARCH DESIGN

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The main purpose of the course is to introduce students to quantitative and qualitative methods for conducting meaningful inquiry and research. Students will gain an overview of research intent and design, and methodology. Experimental, quasi-experimental, observational, survey, surveillance, and qualitative study designs will be reviewed. Methods for reliable and valid data collection and analysis will be covered.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 
At the completion of the course series, the student should be able to:
1. Develop a hypothesis, a research problem and related questions.
2. Frame the research problem with the correct research methodology.
3. Discuss epidemiologic and etiologic goals of healthcare research.
4. Identify and describe major research designs and methods used in the medical research.
5. Critically evaluate the medical literature with respect to study design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results.
6. Differentiate among experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, and observational study designs and methods.
7. Evaluate the feasibility of research proposals