This course introduces the major components of public health research methods, including basics of research, research ethics, selection of research topic, research designs, quantitative and qualitative research approaches, data collection, data analysis, and study findings presentation. The purpose of this course is to improve students’ understanding towards and practical skills of the research methods commonly adopted in the field of public health. Students will be equipped with competencies necessary for developing a research project in public health for their practicum or master thesis research by identifying a research question, choosing appropriate methods and research design that could answer the question, and drafting the full research proposal.

By the end of the course, the students will be able to: 1. Understand the basic knowledge and principles of research methods. 2. Read and criticize public health literature. 3. Design a research project.

The students are expected to: 1. Have read assigned articles before class and actively participate in class discussion. 2. Finish 7 take-home assignments. Assignments are due at noon before class in the following week. 3. Complete a research proposal that includes background, research question, significance, literature, research design, and analytic strategies.

Some helpful online resources: Labaree, Robert V. University of Southern California Research Guides, Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/researchdesigns Trochim, William M.K. Research Methods Knowledge Base. 2006. This book can be accessed on https://conjointly.com/kb/