HSCS 4410 Research Methodology in Health Sciences

This course includes the basic research techniques and scientific writing skills necessary for health care professionals, with a focus on systematic inquiry, the Scientific Method, hypothesis building, reviewing literature, procedure design, and evidence-based practice. The final product of the course will be a complete introduction, review of literature, and methods for an empirical or action research study. We will employ a philosophy of "learning by doing" throughout the course, designed to allow each student to practice the research process.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

MATH 1300 and junior standing.

Typically Offered

Demorest Campus: fall

Student Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes:

Students will describe and contrast research and literature resources including databases, online critical appraisal libraries, and other resources and conduct relevant searches to answer a specific clinical question.

Students will describe and differentiate the types of quantitative and qualitative research, research components, and levels of research evidence and use a systematic approach to create and answer a clinical question through review and application of existing research.

Students will describe the concepts (case definitions, incidence versus prevalence, exposure assessment, rates) and uses of injury and illness surveillance and outcome measures relevant toathletic training and use the resulting data to assess an injury/illness prevention strategy.

Students will describe the differences between narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

Students will improve their interpersonal skills by interacting with others in meaningful ways.

Students will improve their reading and writing abilities by editing and providing peers feedback on weekly assignments.

Students will learn how to conduct their own research, including: searching the literature, developing a research plan, selecting subjects, and data analysis.

Students will learn how to read research critically and evaluate it on its merits and impact on society and the field.

Students will learn how to write professionally; specifically, they will learn how to write a formal research proposal and report.

Students will use standard criteria or developed scales (PEDro, CAT) to critically appraise the structure, rigor, and overall quality of research studies.