HLTH3105 Quantitative Methods for Social Health Research

The topic is divided into two main components. First, the topic provides an introduction to quantitative methods commonly used in social health research with a focus on descriptive design eg., observational studies and the logic of quantitative methods in support of mixed methods. The second component provides an introduction to hypothesis testing, descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Together the components provide the basis for understanding evidence-based medicine and health care. The focus is on student capacity to provide critical and theoretical explanations for research findings, drawing on both sociological and psychological theories of health and illness with specific relevance to the social determinants of health and to appreciate the issues of research with vulnerable groups and sensitive issues.

• Students will understand basic issues in the initiation, development and design of social health research studies
• Students will be introduced to data collection methods, analysis and interpretation. This will include basic knowledge and skills to perform simple observational research studies
• Students will have a basic understanding of inferential statistical methods and analyses of including, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, simple regression, and non-parametric tests
• Students will understand simple epidemiological study design and analysis methods

1. Demonstrate knowledge of and application of observational/descriptive research design through conduct of a health related survey
2. Have basic skills in hypothesis testing and the application of descriptive and inferential statistics, using SPSS
3. Have a critical understanding of the key features of different study designs including experimental, quasi experimental and observational designs
4. Assess the ethical rigour of a research proposal