1
VU Amsterdam
Lectures Research Methods for Health Sciences
12 Lectures
September-October 2021
, 2
HC1.1: Introduction to the course
What is public health (health sciences) = “the science and art of preventing disease”,
prolonging life and improving quality of life.
How certain (pure) can we be?
We construct truth, based on the findings that we have.
The need for interdisciplinarity:
Most public health issues are complex problems that require interdisciplinary research.
But parts of these need a mono-disciplinary focus.
What is the purpose of research/ science?
● Scienta = (the pursuit of) knowledge about the world.
● Research/science = Production and organisation of knowledge. To address (real
world) problems/issues.
● By applying different methodologies and research methods. Methodology is the body
of knowledge that justifies methods chosen.
, 3
● What is the nature of knowledge of the world & what does it mean to know
(epistemology).
● What methodological approach is appropriate?
● What is good science!
Research topic
Research topic → contributes to problem solving, addressing a situation; has practical and
theoretical relevance → research objective.
Selecting a research topic:
● What is the big problem/issue?
● What is known/done about it.
● What is not known/done about it.
● What am I going to make known about it.
○ Objective/RQ
, 4
→ Format for an introduction
Research objective:
Formulate research objective:
- Useful (relevant according to parties involved).
- Realistic (likelihood of contributing to solving the problem).
- Feasible (feasibility - time and resources).
- Clear (specify contribution).
- Informative (indication of knowledge to be gathered).
Selecting a research topic:
Avoid research disasters:
- Too big.
- Too trival (onbeduidend/alledaags).
- Lack in resource materials and people.
Research objective:
The research objective is …(a)... by … (b)...
a. External objective = contribution of your research project to solution of the problem/
what results can be expected.
b. Internal objective = the way in which this will be done/ the insights, information,
knowledge needed = very similar to your research question.
(or …(b)... in order to …(a)...)
What is the purpose of research/ science?
The purpose of health sciences/research is producing knowledge to address health issues,
- by asking the right research question.
- building upon appropriate and (contextualized) theory.
- using appropriate methods, and apply these rigorously.
- interpreted findings.
- make the findings meaningful.
Aim of the call
To design policy relevant public health research for Amsterdam, emphasising the specific
needs of its diverse population.
● Proposals can contribute to more insights into current health problems, needs of
populations and institutions, and/or solutions that address health problems.
● Applicants must be master students.
● The proposal must be conducted within the timeframe of 5 months (no RCT).
HC1.2: Introduction to research questions
Research perspectives, questions, priorities, agendas.
Part 1:
POSITIVISM CONSTRUCTIVISM
What is the purpose of research?
VU Amsterdam
Lectures Research Methods for Health Sciences
12 Lectures
September-October 2021
, 2
HC1.1: Introduction to the course
What is public health (health sciences) = “the science and art of preventing disease”,
prolonging life and improving quality of life.
How certain (pure) can we be?
We construct truth, based on the findings that we have.
The need for interdisciplinarity:
Most public health issues are complex problems that require interdisciplinary research.
But parts of these need a mono-disciplinary focus.
What is the purpose of research/ science?
● Scienta = (the pursuit of) knowledge about the world.
● Research/science = Production and organisation of knowledge. To address (real
world) problems/issues.
● By applying different methodologies and research methods. Methodology is the body
of knowledge that justifies methods chosen.
, 3
● What is the nature of knowledge of the world & what does it mean to know
(epistemology).
● What methodological approach is appropriate?
● What is good science!
Research topic
Research topic → contributes to problem solving, addressing a situation; has practical and
theoretical relevance → research objective.
Selecting a research topic:
● What is the big problem/issue?
● What is known/done about it.
● What is not known/done about it.
● What am I going to make known about it.
○ Objective/RQ
, 4
→ Format for an introduction
Research objective:
Formulate research objective:
- Useful (relevant according to parties involved).
- Realistic (likelihood of contributing to solving the problem).
- Feasible (feasibility - time and resources).
- Clear (specify contribution).
- Informative (indication of knowledge to be gathered).
Selecting a research topic:
Avoid research disasters:
- Too big.
- Too trival (onbeduidend/alledaags).
- Lack in resource materials and people.
Research objective:
The research objective is …(a)... by … (b)...
a. External objective = contribution of your research project to solution of the problem/
what results can be expected.
b. Internal objective = the way in which this will be done/ the insights, information,
knowledge needed = very similar to your research question.
(or …(b)... in order to …(a)...)
What is the purpose of research/ science?
The purpose of health sciences/research is producing knowledge to address health issues,
- by asking the right research question.
- building upon appropriate and (contextualized) theory.
- using appropriate methods, and apply these rigorously.
- interpreted findings.
- make the findings meaningful.
Aim of the call
To design policy relevant public health research for Amsterdam, emphasising the specific
needs of its diverse population.
● Proposals can contribute to more insights into current health problems, needs of
populations and institutions, and/or solutions that address health problems.
● Applicants must be master students.
● The proposal must be conducted within the timeframe of 5 months (no RCT).
HC1.2: Introduction to research questions
Research perspectives, questions, priorities, agendas.
Part 1:
POSITIVISM CONSTRUCTIVISM
What is the purpose of research?
