Public Health Research Methods module (GM51091)

This module content is intended to provide you with a critical understanding of research methods and their application. Working with a range of public health scenarios and techniques of enquiry, the module will enable you to examine in-depth how these methods can best be used to gain robust insights into contemporary issues in public health.

This module is delivered fully online, with discussion boards and interdisciplinary tutor support throughout.

What you will learn

In this module, you will

• Develop question formulation through an interdisciplinary and transcultural lens.  
• You will consider the application of appropriate methods in relation to research design, data collection, data management and data analysis. This will be contextualised with considerations around research ethics, integrity, and governance of international and collaborative research. 
• Recognise methods of exploring/ processing data and approaches to reporting will be critiqued, to plan and execute a significant project of research, investigation or development. 
• Comprehend the application of research to practice, and arising ethical issues (incl. the use of AI tools to support research) will be thoroughly debated through the lens of public health advocacy. 

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Critically review the utility of different methods to answer specific research questions. 
• Critically describe key features, strengths, and weaknesses of a range of research methods. 
• Develop an understanding of the relevance of research methods to current public health issues. 
• Apply (potentially specialised) research methods to develop approaches to research and investigation to answering public health questions. 
• Debate how ethical principles may be applied within a range of research methods. 
• Critically explore the role of research in answering public health questions. 
• Apply critical approaches to evaluating quality in research to ensure methodologically appropriate application of rigour

Assignments / assessments

• A 3,000-word research protocol (80%) 
• An oral presentation (20%)

This module does not have a final exam

Teaching methods / timetable

• Pre-recorded lectures
• Two live interactive tutorials (guided peer)
• Discussion boards for weekly peer and tutor interaction
• On-demand online resources and tutor support
• Use of technology-enhanced learning

This module is delivered fully online.