Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Take following Fundamentals of Research OR have existing knowledge/experience of quantitative research

Co Requisite Comment

Health Statistics OR existing knowledge/experience of medical statistics, including principles of hypothesis testing.

Aims

To provide a detailed understanding of quantitative and mixed methods used in health services evaluation, specifically. survey methods, randomized controlled trials and mixed method process evaluations alongside trials. The focus will be on research design, data collection and data interpretation rather than analysis. Statistical formulae and methods are kept to a minimum.

Outline Of Syllabus

Selecting data collection methods; Survey sampling strategies; Designing questionnaires; Survey conduct; Data coding and recording; Pilot and feasibility studies; Experimental and quasi-experimental studies; Trial design (to include pilot and feasibility trials); Critical appraisal of randomized controlled trials; Mixed methods for process evaluations alongside trials.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:
•       Identify threats to validity and reliability in the collection of survey data and in quasi-experimental and experimental studies, and methods of reducing these threats
•       Describe what is meant by ‘process evaluation’ and why it may be desirable to carry out such an evaluation before, after or during a trial

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:
•       Design a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a health service intervention
•       Design a process evaluation to be carried out in the context of a trial
•       Design a survey to describe or evaluate an aspect of a health service or health service intervention
•       Critically appraise published papers on surveys, RCTs and process evaluations

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Interactive seminars will give the students a basic understanding of concepts and enable them to explore these in more detail via their own private study. The content of the seminars will focus on quantitative and mixed methods used in evaluative health and health services research. There will be extensive small group work and discussion opportunities, for students to consider and put into practice the ideas and techniques presented to them.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The take home assignment will assess students’ knowledge, understanding and interpretation of quantitative and mixed methods in health services evaluation. It will comprise a series of short questions on a published evaluative study. These questions will address knowledge and skills objectives listed above. The assignment will require students to demonstrate and integrate learning across the range of topics covered in this module and to show skills of critical thinking.

Formative practice; Students will be given the opportunity to submit a practice assessment on one of the three elements covered by summative assessment (clinical trials; survey methods; qualitative process evaluation alongside trials) and receive feedback thereon.

General Notes

N/A