Newcastle University

Aims

To provide a detailed understanding of the quantitative methods used in health and health services research. The module will focus on survey methods; complex trial design; experimental and quasi-experimental design; methods of measurement, techniques of data collection and analysis; techniques to collect patient orientated health status and economic data.

Original Summary:

Outline Of Syllabus

Further survey design; Trial design; Sampling strategies; Selecting data collection methods; Designing questionnaires; Data coding and recording; Economic analysis alongside trials; Economic modelling.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Interactive seminars will give the students basic understanding of concepts and enable them to explore these in more detail via their own private study. The content of the seminars will focus on quantitative methods used in health and health services research. This will include survey methods; complex trial design; experimental and quasi-experimental design; methods of measurement, techniques of data collection and analysis; techniques to collect patient orientated health status and economic data.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination will assess students’ knowledge, understanding and interpretation of quantitative research methods. Specifically it will assess their skill in critically applying quantitative methods to the design of a randomised control trial or a survey method. The written examination will facilitate a rigorous assessment of the extent to which students have gained these particular skills.