Course content

The course introduces qualitative and quantitative research methods and reviews that provide students with a basis to read and evaluate research and professional literature within medicine and health science. The course will give a basic introduction to research design, methods for data collection, assessment of data quality, and how research results can be presented and interpreted

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The student

• has knowledge on basic characteristics and methodological concepts within qualitative and quantitative research
• has knowledge on basic methods for data collection in qualitative and quantitative studies, including their strengths and weaknesses
• has basic knowledge of criteria for evaluating data quality, such as reliability and validity,
• knows how results from qualitative and quantitative studies can be presented and interpreted
• knows the principles for systematic reviews
• has knowledge of ethical guidelines, privacy protection, and approvals in health-related studies

Skills:

The student

• can conduct literature searches
• can evaluate which research design is suitable for different research questions within medicine and health science
• can describe the research methods that are used in qualitative and quantitative studies.

General competence:

The student

• can summarize and evaluate methods and results from research and professional literature within medicine and health science
• can assess appropriateness of qualitative and quantitative research methods approaches in medicine and health science
• can describe the purpose, requirements and content in research protocols.

Learning methods and activities

The subject is intensive and is concentrated to the beginning of the semester. The reason is that many students taking this subject proceeds to other methods subjects later in the semester. Therefore they need to have the teaching in this subject first- It is lectures with student activities and group work with other students from own study program. One of the group works are compulsory. The lectures are concentrated to the start, meaning that there is better time for other study activities after this. Students who do not have previous knowledge in research methods, must expect a step learning curve in the beginning.

Compulsory assignments

• Mandatory group work

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Good English skills (written and oral)

Required previous knowledge

Admission to a master's programme, or Postgraduate Education at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU, or upon individual application.

Course materials

Announced at the start of the semester

Credit reductions