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Social Research Methods in Health

Objectives

At the end of this curricular unit students should be able to:

a) Understand the theoretical and conceptual foundations of health research.
b) To recognize the characteristics of the different paradigms of research and to understand the conceptual and methodological differences between quantitative and qualitative studies.
c) Know the different types of qualitative studies.
d) Identify and describe the main steps of the research process, with emphasis on qualitative studies.
e) Know and apply the most common techniques of data collection, such as questionnaires, scales, group or consensus techniques, interviews, focus groups, observation and documentary analysis.
f) Develop knowledge and skills in methods and techniques of scientific research that allow to autonomously design, plan and implement health research projects, focusing on the qualitative approach.

General characterization

Code

9540

Credits

4

Responsible teacher

Available soon

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - 112

Teaching language

Available soon

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

Available soon

Teaching method

For this curricular unit it is proposed the use of a combination of different interactive and participatory methods of teaching-learning, such as theoretical and practical sessions, exercises based on problem-solving, role-playings, tutorial supervision and other activities of contact with the teacher, preparation of papers and learning through independent work of students.
The assessment will be done through an exam (90%) and the consideration of attendance and active participation in classroom (10%).

Evaluation method

Available soon

Subject matter

1. Introduction. Conceptual foundations of health research. Research paradigms. Quantitative and qualitative research
2. Research process. Elaboration of research questions. Formulation of objectives
3. Conceptual bases of health measurement. Psychometric properties and validation of measuring instruments
4. Questionnaires: criteria for their choice, construction and use
5. Theoretical guidelines and qualitative research: different types of studies
6. Population under study. Sampling in qualitative studies
7. Qualitative data collection techniques: group or consensus techniques (delphi), interviews, focus groups, observation and documentary analysis
8. Planning and organization of data collection. Elaboration of the guide for interviews and focus groups. Role of the interviewer / moderator
9. Organization and systematization of data. Transcription techniques
10. Data Analysis: Content Analysis
11. Quality criteria in qualitative research
12. Writing articles of qualitative studies