Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHL5122

 
TITLE Research Methods: Epidemiology, Qualitative Research and Critical Appraisal

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Public Health

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit is designed to introduce students to the various methods and guiding principles involved in health research, including quantitative (epidemiology) and non-quantitative methods. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with all methods by reading appropriate texts beforehand, and to follow up on their knowledge of these methods by reading up and assessing existing research in the published literature.Their skills will also be useful in conducting their own research for dissertation purposes.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-unit aims to provide the postgraduate students with the academic basis for effective specialist public health practice in the domain of research methods.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Understand the meaning and apply principles of epidemiology;
- Consult and appraise the sources of data employed in epidemiology;
- Appreciate the limitations of data gathering methods and identify potential biases;
- Apply basic research methods skills;
- Understand the principles and appreciate the role of qualitative research methods-understanding the meaning of epidemiology and the various sources and methods employed;
- Understand the principles guiding research in the medical field;
- Understand the guiding principles for qualitative research since it is an essential aim of this unit.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Conduct a small research study using quantitative or qualitative research methods;
- Critisize constructively a paper for publication;
- Evaulate the best method to use in particular situations to adress a research question -Familiarise the student with various methods involved in epidemiology;
- Criticise constructively published research will also be an aim of this unit.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Barker, Rose and Cooper. Epidemiology in medical practice. Churchill Livingstone Publishers. 5th edition
- Szklo and Nieto. Epidemiology. Beyond the basics. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 2nd edition
- Rothman, Greenland and Lash. Modern Epidemiology. Wolters Kluwer/ Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers. 3rd edition

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Hugo Agius Muscat
Daniel Cauchi
Sarah Cuschieri
Beatrice Farrugia
Victor Grech
Pierre Mallia
Julian Mamo (Co-ord.)
Charles Savona Ventura

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit