Section: Module 1: Introduction to Research Methods | Research Methods for Health Sciences | NextGenU.org

  • Instructional Goals covered in this module:

    • Understand research terminologies and the scientific method.
    • Analyze the theoretical basis of research paradigms and health models.
    • Describe the ethical principles of research, ethical challenges, and informed consent.
    • Module 1: Lesson 1: The History of Research and Evolution of Key Terminologies

       
      Student Learning Outcomes:
      • Describe terms such as epistemology, empirical research, variables, units of analysis, and others.
      • Describe the concept and process of the scientific method.
      • Give specific examples of how the scientific method has contributed to the development of modern society.

      Approximate time required to complete the readings (at 144 words/minute) and assignments for this module: 7 hours and 7 minutes.

       
      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • Read the entire page. (28 minutes)

      University of Southern California - 2020

    • Read the entire page except for the "References" section. (35 minutes)

      PLOS Computational Biology - 2019

    • Read the key takeaway titles under Roots of the Scientific Method. (11 minutes)

      Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - 2015

    • Read the following sections: 8. Technological Revolution” and 9. Sustainability Revolution. (33 minutes)

      University of Southampton, United Kingdom - 2021

    • Read the entire webpage and watch the entire video The video explores how science leads to new developments of addiction medicines. (60 minutes)

    • In this activity, you will select a date or an event in the given “development of modern society” timeline and will analyze how the scientific method has contributed to the selected date/event.

      Step 1: Review

      Review this timeline of human conditions: milestones in evolution and history. Select one date or event under sections “8. Technological Revolution” and “9. Sustainability Revolution.”

      Step 2: Analyze

      Analyze the role of the scientific method in the emergence and development of the selected event/date. Focus on the following key questions:

      • What is the most prominent or distinctive feature/ element of the selected event/ date?
          • Example: 2019 - first case of COVID-19 coronavirus (Wuhan, China, 1/12/2019) → pandemic, triggering unprecedented lockdowns of nations and societies worldwide.

      • Is the event deemed to be a positive event or a negative event?
      • How is the scientific method utilized or related to this event? Give specific examples.
      • Does the use of scientific methods have a positive impact on the event? Give specific examples.

      Step 3: Respond

      Write a 300-500 word discussion post that answers all the questions in Step 2.

      Step 4: Share

      To share your work, click on the “Reply” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

      OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

      If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

    • Recommended Additional Readings
    • Read the information under the headings "Scientific Method" and "Discourse on scientific method". (16 minutes)

      Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - 2021

    • Module 1: Lesson 2: Research Theory: Paradigms, Methodologies, and Designs in Health Research

      Student Learning Outcomes:
      • Differentiate the concepts of paradigm, method, and design in research theory.
      • Identify the most significant characteristics of the positivist, post-positivist, constructivist, and critical research paradigms.
      • Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the positivist, post-positivist, constructivist, and critical research paradigms.
      • Examine the most significant aspects of ontology, epistemology, and methodology according to different research paradigms.

      Approximate time required to complete the readings (at 144 words/minute) and assignments for this module: 5 hours and 33 minutes.

      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • Read the content under the heading "Introduction" and "Research Paradigms" until the end of the article. (64 minutes)

      The Qualitative Report. - 2017

    • Read the entire article. (34 minutes)

      Life Science Journal - 2013

    • Read content under the following headings: "Abstract, Introduction, Paradigm, Post-Positivist Paradigm, Social Constructivist Paradigm, Critical Theory Paradigm". (21 minutes)

      British Journal of Social Work - 2015

    • Read the content under Section 2 on page 26: "What Are the Essential Elements of a Research Paradigm? Pertinent Literature". (14 minutes)

      International Journal of Higher Education - 2017

    • In this activity, you will select a research problem. You will create a video presentation explaining the different approaches to study the problem from different paradigms, including how ontology, epistemology, and methodology differ. For each paradigm, you will make a comment on the strengths and weaknesses of each.

      Step 1: Review

      Review the components of Module 1 Lesson 2, especially the four common research paradigms in medical education: positivist, post-positivist, constructivist, and critical research. After reviewing, select a particular health issue of your interest. 

      Example:

      Health issue: Assessing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the US population.

      Step 2: Analyze

      • 2.1: Select four research paradigms and think of examples about how each of them can help you discover different aspects of a health issue of your choice.

      • 2.2: Now, select one paradigm and reflect on how ontology, epistemology, and methodology differ according to your selected paradigm. The table in this link and the following questions will help you to complete this task:

        • Ontology: What is out there to know? / What is reality?

        • Epistemology: How can I know reality?

        • Methodology: How do I acquire knowledge?

      Step 3: Create

      Create a 5-minute video presentation that includes:

      • Your examples on how each research paradigm would help you discover different aspects of the health issue of your choice.

      • How ontology, epistemology, and methodology differ for a selected paradigm. Use examples related to your selected health issue to illustrate your arguments.

      Feel free to use slides for the presentation. You can use the free version of Loom to record and share your video.

      Step 4: Self-Analysis and Enhancement

      Before you submit, engage in an introspective self-analysis by systematically reviewing each component of your work. Reflect on what aspects of your work were executed well and what could be enhanced. Proceed to refine these elements in your work. 

      Step 5: Submit

      Post a shareable link to your presentation in the forum. To share your work, click on the “Reply” button under this post and paste your link in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

      OPTIONAL Step 6: Interact (10 minutes)

      If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

    • Module 1: Lesson 3: Research Ethics and Integrity

      Student Learning Outcomes:
      • Discuss the importance of informed consent in public health research.
      • Explain the ethical principles in public health research and their importance.
      • Describe the core values of integrity in research.
      • Summarize the history of research ethics, the Nuremberg Code, and the Belmont Report.
      • Using the example of substance abuse research, discuss ethical challenges in research with potentially vulnerable participants.

      Approximate time required to complete the readings (at 144 words/minute) and assignments for this module: 6 hours and 59 minutes.

      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • Read the entire article. (8 minutes)

      International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health - 2020

    • Read from page 1 to page 5. (11 minutes)

      National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - 2013

    • Read the entire page. (5 minutes)

      National Institutes of Health - 2016

    • Read the entire article. (35 minutes)

      National Academy of Sciences - 2017

    • Read entire page. (46 minutes)

      National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - 2021

    • Read the entire article. (10 minutes)

      JAMA Network American Medical Association - 2017

    • Read all sections except for Acknowledgment and References. (16 minutes)

      American Public Health Association - 2018

    • Read the entire article. (21 minutes)

      Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine - 2014

    • Read the entire article. (22 minutes)

      NCBI - 2018

    • Read the entire article. (20 minutes)

      Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science - 2018

    • For this activity, you will reflect about the unique risks that arise in research with individuals with substance use disorder and link them with the ethical principles of research.

      Step 1: Reflect

      Review the readings listed below and reflect on how unique risks in research with individuals with substance use disorders are related to specific principles of ethical research and core values and guiding norms of integrity research.

      Step 2: Respond

      Write a 250-450 word post in which you:

      • Select one or two unique risks that arise in research with individuals with substance use disorders
      • Explain how these unique risks are related to the guiding principles for ethical research and the core values and guiding norms of integrity research 
      • Discuss how these principles, values, and norms, can reduce risks when working with these potentially vulnerable populations

      Step 3: Share

      To share your work, click on the “Reply” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

      OPTIONAL Step 4: Interact (10 minutes)

      If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

    • quiz icon
      Quiz: Module 1

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      TO PASS THIS QUIZ, YOU MUST OBTAIN A SCORE OF 12/15