PHCA9202 Public Health Research

2016

9

1 x 5-day intensive workshop once-only
1 x 12-hour independent study weekly

Knowledge of principles of public health and research methods.

Intensive workshop is compulsory.

Assignments

This topic examines the role of research in public health practice and policy. In particular, students will develop an understanding of the stages of research, including identification of research needs, commissioning research, forming research questionsfrom public health problems, planning research projects, choosing appropriate methods, collecting and analysing data, writing up research results, disseminating findings, and using research findings to improve research practice. Students will develop a proposal for a piece of applied public health research that will be undertaken during Year 3 of the course. The topic aims to: develop understanding of ways in which research can usefully inform better public health policy and practice; critically appraise public health policy and practice contexts within which research is commissioned and used; develop research process skills, including the development of a research proposal submission for ethics approval; identify and develop relationship with thesis supervisors; assess and fill any gaps in knowledge and/or skills required to conduct the research described in the research proposal.

Public Health Research aims to develop skills in the use of research to improve public health policy and practice. In particular it focuses on developing understanding of the stages of research including: identification of research needs, commissioning research, forming research questions from public health problems, planning research projects, choosing appropriate methods, collecting and analysing data, writing up research results, disseminating findings, and using research findings to improve public health practice.

On completion of this topic students should be able to:

• Develop an understanding of ways in which research can usefully inform better public health policy and practice.

• Critically appraise public health policy and practice contexts within which research is commissioned and used.

• Develop a proposal for a research dissertation on a topic directly related to public health practice and/or policy.

• Develop a relationship with dissertation supervisor/s.

• Assess and fill any gaps in knowledge and/or skills required to conduct the research described in the research proposal.