HSCI 383 Advanced Research Methodologies

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Fall 2023 (Blended), Winter 2024 (Online)

Year 3 Optional Course

9-10 hours/week

3 units

Available

On-Campus Course

Online Course

Throughout HSCI 383, Advanced Research Methodologies you will develop an understanding of the three primary types of research employed in health sciences: Experimental quantitative, observational quantitative, and qualitative. For each approach, we will explore research procedures from developing a research question to interpreting results. By the end of the course, students will be able to develop an informed research proposal with a detailed description of planned methodology and analysis.

*Previously BMED 383 Advanced Research Methodologies

Prerequisites

Minimum 3rd year (Level 3) standing and one of (HSCI 270/3.0; BMED 270/3.0; EPID 301/3.0; HLTH 252/3.0; PSYC 203/3.0; SOCY 210/3.0) or permission of the instructor.

Learning Tracks

Global and Population Health

Applied Research Methods in Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

After completing HSCI 383, students will be able to:

1. Review and interpret literature within one or more Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health Sciences track(s) to establish research questions relevant to human wellness.
2. Integrate diverse philosophies of knowledge to critically examine traditional methodological approaches.
3. Design and critique experimental, quasi-experimental, and qualitative research protocols to ensure data is valid and reliable.
4. Establish appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses to provide sufficient evidence to effectively respond to research questions.
5. Communicate methodological paradigms, approaches, and tests to justify and explain alignment with research questions.

Competencies

Communicator
Advocate
Scholar
Professional
Collaborator

Assessments

All assessments will be graded using marking rubrics.

Weekly Module Content Discussion Posts (15%)
Each module will contain content which you must apply or extend in your response to in the discussion board. For each post, consider the question presented, and create one post providing your own response. You will also then reply to posts provided by your classmates. Your posts will be marked as an aggregate at the end of the course.

Major Depressive Disorder Design Discussion Posts (10%)
In Modules 3 through 5, you will approach a case study on the topic of studying Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). You will create your research design (Module 3), sampling strategy (Module 4), and data collection strategy (Module 5) using drag and drop options within the module. For each module, you will then post a paragraph outlining your design, along with justifications of your choices to the discussion board. You will provide feedback to at least one other person in the forum. You must then show that you have considered peer feedback provided in the Modules 3 and 4 discussion posts and apply it to your final design in Module 5. Your posts will be marked as an aggregate at the end of the course.

Module Assignments (35%)
Following the completion of each module you will be asked to complete a short task using your new understanding. Except for Module 1, these tasks will consist of a critique of provided resources. Resources will include one each of a resource reflective of experimental quantitative, observational quantitative, and qualitative research. Instructions, length, and content for each response varies slightly, so you are encouraged to read the provided instructions and rubrics carefully. You are also encouraged to access the course timeline in onQ to view the due dates for each module assignment.

Final Assignment: Research Proposal (40%)
For your final course assessment, you will design a complete research proposal capturing previous research in the area, identifying your new research question and rationale for its importance. You are required to propose a research question or hypotheses as appropriate, followed by your research method including your research design, sampling strategy and participants, and finally outline your data collection procedures and analysis strategies. The final assessment will be graded by a rubric.

Time Commitment

9–10 hours a week (108–120 hours per term).

Textbooks and Materials

Required Texts

HSCI 383 course notes via modules posted online and select readings made available by the instructor.

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