HSM 470 - Research Methods and Analysis in Health Care

Dr. Michael W. Hubble
122 Moore Building
828-227-3516

Course Overview

This is an introductory course which is designed to provide students with an overview of the research process.  The purpose, conduct and evaluation of research will be discussed utilizing examples from the health sciences literature.  Basic concepts of biostatistics will also be introduced.  Course participants will also develop rudimentary skills in the use of the statistical package SPSS.  At the conclusion of the course, students will possess the skills to conduct fundamental research projects of their own and critically evaluate the research of others.

Course Objectives

Through examination and critique of the literature, the student will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of:

1.  the relationship of theory and research
2.  trends in health sciences research and the role of clinicians in the research process
3.  the systematic steps in the conduct of research including:

• identifying a researchable problem
• reviewing and critiquing the relevant literature
• defining and operationalizing variables
• selecting appropriate research design
• selecting appropriate sampling methods and data collection techniques
• selecting appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis
• submitting research results in a written report

4.  developing a research proposal.

5.  the use of computer software for data analysis.

Text

Shi, L: Health Services Research Methods.  Delmar Publishing.  Albany, NY.

George, D and Mallery, P: SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference.  Allyn and Bacon. Boston.

SPSS PC (student version)

Grading 

Exams will be graded on an individual basis.  Students will be assigned to groups for the research proposal and article reviews.  Research proposals will be graded as a group project.  The final research proposal grade for individual group members will be assigned based on the following:

Grading Scale

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Research Proposal Step 1

Selection of Research Topic
Your group must select a research topic for which you will submit a proposal, and ultimately complete the research should you decide to take HSM 471 for one credit hour.  Your topic should be of interest to you (it will be with you for the next 2 semesters), but should be simple enough to be completed within a one semester time frame.  Survey research is probably the most manageable study design for this course, though it may be possible to complete some form of retrospective chart review.  You should discuss your topic with me and then submit a one page description of your topic which details the what, where, how, and why of the proposed study. 

Research Proposal Step 2

Journal Article Review
Select a quantitative article from a issue of a recent major peer-reviewed journal in your field.  The article you select should be one which you will be using as part of the literature review for your proposal.  The article must involve the collection of data or the secondary analysis of data that was previously collected.  You will need to provide a review of the article (limited to 2 single-spaced pages).  In your review, you must include a description of:

• the major hypotheses
• the conceptual and operational definitions of the major independent and dependent variables
• the sample and sampling procedures
• data collection method
• results
• the conclusion of the authors
• your assessment of the article
• a photocopy of the article you reviewed.

Research Proposal Step 3

Research Design and Hypotheses

This should be a description of the research design you have chosen to test your major hypotheses (limited to 2 pages).  Please include a description of the hypotheses, indicating the independent and dependent variables.  In describing the research design you have selected, provide rationale why this is the best design for your research question.  Also include your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the design.  This paper should not include details of measurement or data collection.

Research Proposal Step 4

Measurement and Data Collection
Limited to two pages, this paper will serve as a rough draft of your methods section of the proposal.  It should include a description of the sample, the sampling procedures, operational definitions of the variables, measurement procedures of all variables, data collection method, and any other relevant information to your design.

Research Proposal Step 5

Data Analysis
This section, also limited to 2 pages, will describe the statistical analysis of your data.  You should discuss all descriptive and inferential statistical tests to be used in your study. Details of statistics used for controlling variables should also be included. 

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Introduction
This section should introduce the reader to the project, give the rationale for the research, beginning with a statement of the problems in general, and ending with the purpose of the current study.

Literature Review Section
Summarize what the literature says about both the specific topic and pertinent related topics, indicating any current gaps or shortcomings which justify the current study.

Avoid making the entire literature review merely a series of summary statements about each individual article.  Instead, decide what pertinent points the literature addresses, and summarize these in your own words, giving references, and relate this back to your proposed research.

Methods Section
The methods section should provide the reader with detailed information about how the study was designed and carried out.  Be sure to include all of the following:

• Hypotheses or research questions.
• Study design and procedures.  Be sure to include the method of assigning subjects to groups, if applicable.
• Study population and method of sampling.  Include how subjects will be eliminated from the sample, if any.  Describe in detail the procedures that will be used for the protection of human subjects and how the collected data will be stored and protected.
• Operational definitions and methods of measurement
• Instrument reliability and validity.

Budget

 Develop a budget necessary to completely fund the project.  Include a budget justification statement for each line item contained within the budget.

References
Appropriately cite all references in the document using an accepted style (APA, MLA, Index Medicus, or the style required by the journal where you intend to publish your findings). 

Evaluation of Research Proposals
The following standards will be used in grading the research proposals:  

• All portions of the proposal are addressed in sufficient detail to make the study clear to the reader.
• Throughout the paper there is evidence of analytic thinking and ability to conceptualize the research process.  Papers which consist mainly of a series of facts, such as  might have been copied from class notes, references, etc., with little evidence of original thought are not acceptable.
• There are no factual errors or major omissions.
• The research design is sound.
• Material is logically organized and presented.
• Technical presentation (e.g., grammar, format, spelling, etc.) is correct and neat.
• The proposal is submitted on time.