Lectures Research
Methods for Health
Sciences
Course in the master Health Sciences (VU)
Content
Introduction to the course ................................................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction to research questions (research perspectives & questions)........................................................................ 2
Priority setting & research agendas in the world of Evidence Based Medicine ............................................................... 7
Measurement in Health Sciences I ................................................................................................................................. 12
Introduction to inter- and transdisciplinary perspective on health sciences research .................................................. 18
Conceptual frameworks and operationalizing your research......................................................................................... 24
Measurement in Health Sciences II ................................................................................................................................ 28
Risk factors versus prediction of risk .............................................................................................................................. 33
Intervention design and evaluation in Health Sciences/inter- and transdisciplinary research: engagement for
understanding ................................................................................................................................................................. 44
Evaluation of interventions – Experimental Research; (Non)regular parallel design of RCT and alternatives .............. 50
Research methods: choosing the right method.............................................................................................................. 58
Qualitative data analysis ................................................................................................................................................. 63
Systematic reviews and meta analysis ............................................................................................................................ 72
Extra lecture: qualitative methods ................................................................................................................................. 83
,Introduction to the course
Content and structure of the course
Overall aim of this course
To:
- Master the skills for designing studies in the field of health sciences to a level that the students can
formulate a research question given a specific health (care) problem and design studies that can answer
these research questions
- Students should be able to critically appraise the methodological quality of research
Themes
- Theme 1: Introduction and research question
- Theme 2: Theory, concepts and measurement
- Theme 3: Understanding risk factors/health problems
- Theme 4: To treat or not to treat (RCTs, etc.)
- Theme 5: Data analyses, synthesis, dissemination
Info on practical issues
Teaching methods
Pre-recorded lectures and literature accompanied by online Zoom
reflection sessions
- Themes are introduced in pre-recorded lectures with accompanying literature
- There are online reflection Zoom sessions for questions after themes
- These lectures will not be recorded
Workgroups
- Subsequently students will actively process and discuss the content in workgroups in order to better
understand what has been covered in the lecture
- Workgroups are also used to support the students in different phases of the assignment in which they will
develop a research proposal (in subgroups of 4 students) as well as an introduction to apply learning content
Workshops
- To specialize in specific skills such as interview techniques, research integrity, focus groups, design of
questionnaire, searing for literature, etc.
- Students are free to choose another optional workshop to specialize in a specific skill, however:
- All students should attend 3 workshops; the workshop research integrity is mandatory for all
students
- For students International Public Health the two workshops on interview techniques are mandatory
as well; for students of other specializations one of the two workshops on interview techniques is
mandatory
Grading
- Written exam (60% of total grade)
- Content of the lectures, work groups and all course materials
- Literature provided for each lecture and work group including the relevant book chapters
- Assignment writing of a research Proposal for a MSc Placement HS (40% of total grade)
Introduction to the assignment
Assignment writing of a research Proposal for MSc Placement HS
Aim: to show that you are able to design a research proposal for a MSc Placement in Health Sciences
- With a good methodology
- Based upon existing scientific evidence and/or relevant theories and concepts
- Achievable depending on time and resources
- Contributing to a solution for a health(care) problem in the city of Amsterdam
1
,In this assignment you will:
- Write a research proposal for a master placement health sciences
- Complete a peer review of a research proposal
- Discuss this with your peers under supervision of a coach
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 proposals must be conducted within the timeframe of 5 months
- It is advised that if possible proposals partly or fully utilise existing data sources
- It is advised that teams write proposals that are supporting each other
- The proposals should follow a specified format
- Proposals should be firmly based on the context and health situation of Amsterdam (see e.g.
hhtps://www.ggdgezondheidinbeeld.nl/)
Introduction to research questions (research perspectives & questions)
Learning goals
- Understand positivism (objectivist)
- Understand interpretivism (constructivist)
- Inductive and deductive research
- Get acquainted with different research methodologies
- Experimental designs
- Analytical survey designs
- Phenomenological research
- The case study
- Participatory action research
The need for interdisciplinarity
- Most public health issues are complex problems that require interdisciplinary research
- But parts of these need a mono-disciplinary focus
The purpose of research
What is the purpose of research?
- Scientia = (the pursuit of) knowledge about the world
- Research/science = production and organisation of knowledge
2
, - To address (real world) problems/issues
- By applying different methodologies and research methods
- Methodology is the body of knowledge that justifies methods chosen
What does it mean to know (epistemology)?
What methodological approach is appropriate?
➔ The purpose of health science/research is finding an objective, generalizable, truth → but is that possible?
Two perspectives
- Positivism (objectivism)
- Interpretivism (constructivism)
Can we use the perspectives developed in the natural
sciences in the humanities?
Objectivism – positivism:
- Reality can be observed
- Presenting facts as truth (value-free)
- Knowledge can be formulated into laws
- Measure and predict, generalisable
- Single reality, external, waiting to be found
Constructivism – interpretivism:
- Truth and meaning are
constructed by the
person/researcher (subjects)
- Interpretations of the world
(object) (value-bound)
- Researchers are inherently
viewing the world through their
frame of reference
- Multiple realities (are
experienced) and meaning is not
stable
- Time and context bound hypothesis/generalization
Different perspectives, different types of knowledge: we need to integrate them
3
Methods for Health
Sciences
Course in the master Health Sciences (VU)
Content
Introduction to the course ................................................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction to research questions (research perspectives & questions)........................................................................ 2
Priority setting & research agendas in the world of Evidence Based Medicine ............................................................... 7
Measurement in Health Sciences I ................................................................................................................................. 12
Introduction to inter- and transdisciplinary perspective on health sciences research .................................................. 18
Conceptual frameworks and operationalizing your research......................................................................................... 24
Measurement in Health Sciences II ................................................................................................................................ 28
Risk factors versus prediction of risk .............................................................................................................................. 33
Intervention design and evaluation in Health Sciences/inter- and transdisciplinary research: engagement for
understanding ................................................................................................................................................................. 44
Evaluation of interventions – Experimental Research; (Non)regular parallel design of RCT and alternatives .............. 50
Research methods: choosing the right method.............................................................................................................. 58
Qualitative data analysis ................................................................................................................................................. 63
Systematic reviews and meta analysis ............................................................................................................................ 72
Extra lecture: qualitative methods ................................................................................................................................. 83
,Introduction to the course
Content and structure of the course
Overall aim of this course
To:
- Master the skills for designing studies in the field of health sciences to a level that the students can
formulate a research question given a specific health (care) problem and design studies that can answer
these research questions
- Students should be able to critically appraise the methodological quality of research
Themes
- Theme 1: Introduction and research question
- Theme 2: Theory, concepts and measurement
- Theme 3: Understanding risk factors/health problems
- Theme 4: To treat or not to treat (RCTs, etc.)
- Theme 5: Data analyses, synthesis, dissemination
Info on practical issues
Teaching methods
Pre-recorded lectures and literature accompanied by online Zoom
reflection sessions
- Themes are introduced in pre-recorded lectures with accompanying literature
- There are online reflection Zoom sessions for questions after themes
- These lectures will not be recorded
Workgroups
- Subsequently students will actively process and discuss the content in workgroups in order to better
understand what has been covered in the lecture
- Workgroups are also used to support the students in different phases of the assignment in which they will
develop a research proposal (in subgroups of 4 students) as well as an introduction to apply learning content
Workshops
- To specialize in specific skills such as interview techniques, research integrity, focus groups, design of
questionnaire, searing for literature, etc.
- Students are free to choose another optional workshop to specialize in a specific skill, however:
- All students should attend 3 workshops; the workshop research integrity is mandatory for all
students
- For students International Public Health the two workshops on interview techniques are mandatory
as well; for students of other specializations one of the two workshops on interview techniques is
mandatory
Grading
- Written exam (60% of total grade)
- Content of the lectures, work groups and all course materials
- Literature provided for each lecture and work group including the relevant book chapters
- Assignment writing of a research Proposal for a MSc Placement HS (40% of total grade)
Introduction to the assignment
Assignment writing of a research Proposal for MSc Placement HS
Aim: to show that you are able to design a research proposal for a MSc Placement in Health Sciences
- With a good methodology
- Based upon existing scientific evidence and/or relevant theories and concepts
- Achievable depending on time and resources
- Contributing to a solution for a health(care) problem in the city of Amsterdam
1
,In this assignment you will:
- Write a research proposal for a master placement health sciences
- Complete a peer review of a research proposal
- Discuss this with your peers under supervision of a coach
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 proposals must be conducted within the timeframe of 5 months
- It is advised that if possible proposals partly or fully utilise existing data sources
- It is advised that teams write proposals that are supporting each other
- The proposals should follow a specified format
- Proposals should be firmly based on the context and health situation of Amsterdam (see e.g.
hhtps://www.ggdgezondheidinbeeld.nl/)
Introduction to research questions (research perspectives & questions)
Learning goals
- Understand positivism (objectivist)
- Understand interpretivism (constructivist)
- Inductive and deductive research
- Get acquainted with different research methodologies
- Experimental designs
- Analytical survey designs
- Phenomenological research
- The case study
- Participatory action research
The need for interdisciplinarity
- Most public health issues are complex problems that require interdisciplinary research
- But parts of these need a mono-disciplinary focus
The purpose of research
What is the purpose of research?
- Scientia = (the pursuit of) knowledge about the world
- Research/science = production and organisation of knowledge
2
, - To address (real world) problems/issues
- By applying different methodologies and research methods
- Methodology is the body of knowledge that justifies methods chosen
What does it mean to know (epistemology)?
What methodological approach is appropriate?
➔ The purpose of health science/research is finding an objective, generalizable, truth → but is that possible?
Two perspectives
- Positivism (objectivism)
- Interpretivism (constructivism)
Can we use the perspectives developed in the natural
sciences in the humanities?
Objectivism – positivism:
- Reality can be observed
- Presenting facts as truth (value-free)
- Knowledge can be formulated into laws
- Measure and predict, generalisable
- Single reality, external, waiting to be found
Constructivism – interpretivism:
- Truth and meaning are
constructed by the
person/researcher (subjects)
- Interpretations of the world
(object) (value-bound)
- Researchers are inherently
viewing the world through their
frame of reference
- Multiple realities (are
experienced) and meaning is not
stable
- Time and context bound hypothesis/generalization
Different perspectives, different types of knowledge: we need to integrate them
3
