PHVIT9300 Quantitative Methods Course description

This course is based on PHVIT9100, Health Sciences II: Philosophy of Science, Research Ethics and Research Methodology. It takes a critical perspective of quantitative methodology related to research processes where quantitative design is relevant. The course also covers how the choice of different quantitative methods affect the quality of research. The application of different designs (cross-sectional, longitudinal, clinical trial, experimental) and advances statistical analysis (regression analysis, repeated measurement, survival analysis, power analysis) is discussed.

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On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate

• is at the forefront of knowledge in selected quantitative methods
• is at the forefront of knowledge of selected quantitative analyses, interpretations, and forms of documentation in the field
• can evaluate the usefulness and application of different quantitative designs in health science research processes

Skills

The PhD candidate can

• plan a health science research project with relevant quantitative designs and methods
• analyse, interpret, and disseminate the results of quantitative research
• address complex scientific issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in quantitative methodology

General competence

The PhD candidate can

• argue in favour of particular quantitative approaches on the basis of scientific theory
• identify relevant ethical issues and conduct research based on quantitative methodology with professional integrity
• can participate in discussions on quantitative methodology

This course adopts a basis and critical perspective of Needs Led Research. The process linked to the first step in the research pathway dealing with the identification and prioritization of research issues. Needs Led Research is characterized by two parallel processes; user involvement and identification and verification of evidence gaps by systematic searches in databases.

User involvement is characterized by processes in which users/stakeholders (eg patients, relatives, health workers) suggest, discuss, prioritize and agree on research questions they consider important. Several framework and methodologies for user involvement in research exist, of which the most relevant ones will be focused on in this course.

Identification and verification of evidence gaps, being the core of evidence-based research, is based on a systematic and transparent review of existing research in order to guide new studies in answering relevant and valid research questions. The course will focus on how to identify, verify and document evidence gaps by systematically searching the existing evidence.

The course will be run as a five-day course over a period of three months.

Admission requirements

This course is primarily aimed at PhD candidates admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences but is also open to other applicants. Admission requirements are a completed hovedfag, master's degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate:

• has an outstanding insight into the most relevant methodologies for user involvement in decision-making processes for identifying relevant research questions
• is at the forefront of knowledge about how to identify and verify evidence gap.

Skills

The PhD candidate can:

• identify, facilitate and use the most suitable methodology in which users/stakeholders suggest, discuss, prioritize and agree on research questions they consider important, in a given context/study
• identify, verify and document evidence gaps by systematically searching the existing evidence, that is, conducting literature searches and selecting relevant and high-quality articles

General competence

The PhD candidate can:

• utilize processes for user involvement, as well as identification and verification of evidence gaps, in order to identify relevant and unanswered research questions.
• facilitate Needs Led Research in close collaboration with the relevant field of practice
• develop project management and communication skills.

Work and teaching methods consist of lectures, seminars, small group work and discussions, self-study, and practical exercises. In the seminars the students will present and discuss the status of their work and progress in plenary sessions.

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Individual home examination, to be submitted no more than two weeks after the end of the course. The candidates must submit an essay, which will describe the background and validation of the Needs Led Research questions to be answered. The essay, consisting of up to 5000 words, must describe the methodology and process for developing the Needs Led Research questions. This includes description of the process for user involvement, as well as the process for identification and verification of evidence gaps.

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