research design, implementation, data analysis, statistical testing and results ....
Textbooks: Argyrous, Statistics for Research: With a Guide to SPSS (2011).
Note: Course content may be changed, term to term, without notice. The information below is provided as a guide for course selection and is not binding in any form, and should not be used to purchase course materials.
HLTH 511 Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS HLTH 511 RESEARCH METHODS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
COURSE DESCRIPTION This course prepares students to critically evaluate research protocols in public health. Students must be prepared to design practical research methodologies to evaluate contributing factors of contemporary health issues with measurable goals and objectives. RATIONALE The purpose of this course is to teach students the necessary concepts and skills required for research design, implementation, data analysis, statistical testing and results reporting. Successful public health professionals should be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in these areas in order to be able to conduct original research and critically review published research. I.
PREREQUISITE For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING A.
Textbook companion, found at http://www.sagepub.com/argyrous3/home.htm
B.
Statistical Calculator
C.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
D.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
E.
IV.
Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.) MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A.
Create appropriate research designs and statistical hypotheses to address public health issues.
B.
Given a research question, a data set, and using SPSS software, correctly assay and analyze the data and provide relevant, accurate data summaries.
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HLTH 511 Course Syllabus
V.
C.
Using SPSS software, conduct appropriate statistical tests to answer specific research questions.
D.
Provide written interpretations of data analyses and statistical test results that can be easily understood by a non-statistician.
E.
Conduct a small research project, integrating data analysis, statistical testing, and results interpretation.
F.
Integrating the biblical worldview perspective, critique (and suggest appropriate alternatives to) study designs and analyses found in the public health research literature.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
B.
Course Requirements Checklist After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (3) Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will respond to articles related to a public health research issue in a Discussion Board Forum thread. Each thread must be 450–500 words. The student will be required to integrate his/her Christian beliefs into the thread. The student will also be required to reply to at least 2 classmates’ threads in 250–300 words each.
D.
SPSS Assignments (7) The student will be required to complete 7 analytic assignments using step-bystep instructions from the textbook for the specific statistical test being addressed. Each assignment must be completed in 2 hours and 45 minutes and is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned module/week. The student will also be required to perform the same analyses using SPSS with real healthcare related data while interpreting the results generated.
E.
Research Project The student will complete a small research project, which will take place in several parts—Proposal, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Final Submission— which will be due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned module/week. The project will include SPSS output of descriptive statistics, tables and or graphs, and statistical test results. The Final Submission is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 8.
F.
Q&A Quizzes (7) The student will complete 7 quizzes based on the material in the corresponding module/week’s Reading & Study folder. Each quiz must be completed in 2 hours and 45 minutes and is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned module/week.
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HLTH 511 Course Syllabus
G.
Hypothesis Writing Quizzes (5) The student will write 5 null and alternative statistical hypotheses pertaining to research questions which reflect the statistical test(s) being covered. Each quiz must be completed in 2 hours and 45 minutes and is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned module/week.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES A.
Points Course Requirements Checklist Discussion Board Forums (3 at 70 pts ea) SPSS Assignments (7 at 20 pts ea) Research Project: Proposal Introduction Methods Results Final Submission Q&A Quizzes (7 at 10 pts ea) Hypothesis Writing Quizzes (5 at 30 pts ea)
10 210 140
Total B.
100 50 50 50 180 70 150 1010
Scale A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859 C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 D+ = 740–759 D = 700–739 D- = 680–699 F = 0–679
C.
Late Assignment Policy If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions: 1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20% deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis. D.
Disability Assistance
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HLTH 511 Course Syllabus
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at
[email protected] to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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COURSE SCHEDULE HLTH 511 Textbooks: Argyrous, Statistics for Research: With a Guide to SPSS (2011). MODULE/ WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Argyrous: chs. 1–2, 15 (pp. 300–315 only) 3 presentations 1 article
2
Argyrous: chs. 9–11 5 presentations
3
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Course Requirements Checklist DB Forum 1 SPSS Assignment 1 Q&A Quiz 1
10 70 20 10
SPSS Assignment 2 Q&A Quiz 2
20 10
Argyrous: chs. 4–7, 23 4 presentations 1 lecture note 1 article
DB Forum 2 SPSS Assignment 3 Q&A Quiz 3 Hypothesis Writing Quiz 1
70 20 10 30
Argyrous: chs. 15, 19 5 presentations
SPSS Assignment 4 Research Project: Proposal Q&A Quiz 4 Hypothesis Writing Quiz 2
20 100 10 30 70 20 50 10 30
4
5
Argyrous: chs. 16–18, 20 4 presentations 1 article
DB Forum 3 SPSS Assignment 5 Research Project: Introduction Q&A Quiz 5 Hypothesis Writing Quiz 3
6
Argyrous: chs. 12–13, 26 3 presentations
SPSS Assignment 6 Research Project: Methods Q&A Quiz 6 Hypothesis Writing Quiz 4
20 50 10 30
7
Argyrous: chs. 24–25 3 presentations 1 lecture note
SPSS Assignment 7 Research Project: Results Q&A Quiz 7 Hypothesis Writing Quiz 5
20 50 10 30
8
None
Research Project: Final Submission
180
TOTAL
1010
DB = Discussion Board
NOTE: Each course week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
