PHVIT9510 Concept and Theory Development in Health Sciences Course description

This course covers research into key phenomena originating from human experience of health and illness. Such phenomena can be perceptions of quality of life, hope, coping, pain, body, dignity, and suffering, and serve as the basis for developing concepts and theories in the health sciences. The course covers different methods for concept and theory development; for example, the hybrid model of concept development, semantic concept analysis, Walker and Avant's model for theory development, and grounded theory. The methods are applied to selected phenomena, concepts, and theories.

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

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 of methodologies related to the development of concepts and theories
• has an in-depth understanding of the relationship between human experience, concepts, and theories in a health science context

Skills

The PhD candidate can:

• develop a conceptual and/or theoretical framework related to his or her own research
• identify relevant clinical phenomena in order to develop concepts and theories
• analyse and interpret research findings related to concept and theory development
• address complex scientific issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in concept and theory development

General competence

The PhD candidate can:

• argue in favour of particular methodologies in concept and theory development on the basis of scientific theory
• participate in discussions on concept and theory development

Work and teaching methods consist of lectures, seminars, and self-study. The outcomes of the seminars are presented and discussed in plenary sessions.

None

Individual home examination based on specific questions. To be submitted no more than two weeks after the end of the course. Answer papers must consist of up to 3500 words.

All

Pass / Fail

One internal and one external examiner will assess the answer papers submitted by all candidates.

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.