Research Methodology & Proposal Writing

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. define the following terms: research, research methodology, sample, questionnaire, literature and many others; 2. describe the role of Research in Environmental Health Practice; 3. develop a good proposal on appropriate environmental health topic; 4. design and conduct scientific research in any given Environmental Health specialized areas; 5. outline the procedure and pattern in reviewing Literature; 6. discuss the methods of collecting, collating, analysing and presenting data; 7. apply the use of computer programmes in analysing and presenting data; 8. outline the steps in interpretation and presentation of research findings; 9. what is Research Methodology? ; 10. outline the procedure in proposal writing; 11. examine research strategies and design; 12. discuss descriptive epidemiological studies and clinical trials; 13. what is experimental study? ; 14. determine steps in sample size estimation; 15. discuss sampling methods; 16. compare bias and confounding factors; 17. determine basic risk measurement; 18. what is test of significance? ; 19. distinguish between association and causation in health research; 20. explain ethical aspect of health research; 21. what is a research proposal? ; 22. illustrate how to design a questionnaire; 23. compare validity and reliability of a research instrument; 24. distinguish between qualitative and Quantitative Data; 25. discuss types of data use in health research; 26. carry out data analysis using descriptive & inferential statistical parameters; 27. analyse data using computer based analytical packages such as SPSS, EPI-INFO, chi-square and many others; 28. choose a research topic; 29. construct general and specific objectives; 30. discuss the organisation of a research project; 31. compare APA and Vancouver Referencing; 32. discuss the importance of timeline; and 33. explain the principles and types of budgeting in EH research.

Introduction to Research Methodology and proposal writing. Research strategies and design. Descriptive epidemiological studies and clinical trials. Experimental studies. Sampling methods and sampling size, bias and confounding. Basic risk measurement. Test of significance, association and causation. Ethical aspect of health research. Construction of research proposal. Questionnaire design, validity and reliability. Qualitative and Quantitative Data. Types of data. Data analysis using Descriptive statistics and Inferential statistics and many others. use of computer based analytical packages such as SPSS, EPI-INFO, chi-square and many others. Research topic selection, objective, literature search, methodology, results and discussion. Referencing such as APA and Vancouver. Organisation of research project and communication of research findings, timeline, budgeting.