Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

header image.png

 

SPH X-590: Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation

Summer 2015 Syllabus

 

 

  • Instructor: M. Aaron Sayegh, Ph.D., MPH, FACE
  • Use Canvas email only to for course correspondence
    • If I have not responded within 24 hours of your Canvas email, you should send an email to my exchange address. 
    • Please use delivery and read receipt options and mark email as "Important".
    • Always follow-up and follow-through            
  • Office Hours: By appointment only (face to face and video conference meeting options are available) 

                                  

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

X-590 is an introduction to the techniques that scientists use to answer empirical questions or more specifically, research methods. Using the framework of the research project proposal, instruction begins with the formulation of research questions, the identification of appropriate methods, and the effective articulation of methodology. Students will learn how to identify research topics, state research objectives, derive research questions, review scientific literature, and how to use the results of the literature review to evaluate their objectives and refine their research questions. Students will learn how to operationalize concepts, derive variables, state hypotheses about the relationships between those variables, and then to develop a plan to test those hypotheses, or what is known as the study design. The emphasis of instruction is on developing consumers of research vs. producers of research.

 

COURSE COMPETENCIES

Students in this class will attain the following public health competency related to Professional Health Education:

  • Demonstrate command of methods and techniques of research

 

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:
The instructional goals are:

  • To provide a general overview of scientific inquiry: philosophical/theoretical underpinnings, the structure and sequence, and the form and format;
  • To describe the types of research and the formulation of research questions;
  • To explicate the logic and rationale of research methodology;
  • To introduce basic data collection methods and analytical techniques
  • To expose students to practical and technical aspects of research

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Understand the purpose of scientific inquiry and describe the research process
  • Identify relevant research articles based on a research agenda
  • Discuss reliability and validity across the research process
  • Effectively read, understand, interpret, evaluate, and use empirical research

 

REQUIRED READINGS

Main Textbook

 Clark, V. L. P., & Creswell, J. W. (2014).Understanding research: A consumer's guide. Pearson Higher Ed.

Suggested Textbook 

Trochim, W. M., & Donnelly, J. P. (2001). Research methods knowledge base.

Supplemental Readings

  •  Additional Required Readings Available via Canvas.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADES

The tentative total is 500 points. The number of assignments may change, and therefore the total number of points as well. Grades will be assigned based upon the proportion of total points obtained: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, and below 60% = F.  At the instructor’s discretion, a “+/-“  system will be used based upon the student’s placement in the range of scores for the class and the extent to which the student has been an active participant in the activities of the class.

Course Evaluation relies on performance in class participation, certifications/trainings, quizzes, class exercises/homework and a final exam.

Class Participation

Students should engage the course site regularly and thoroughly, respond to any communication/instructor requests in a timely and appropriate fashion, and prepare/ submit any requested materials in a timely manner Students should also complete the Canvas profile during the first the Summer 2015 2nd 6 week semester. 10 points total

Certifications/Trainings

Each student will complete the CITI “Research with Human Subjects Training” for Social/Behavioral Research or Biomedical Research (student’s choice) & the NIH “Plain Language Training” Upon completion of the CITI & NIH courses, students will submit completion reports via Canvas. 10 points each; 20 points total.

Class Exercises/ Homework

Each lesson requires the completion of class exercises. 10 points each; 200 points tentative total

Quizzes

There are a number of quizzes to assess your knowledge and skills. 10 points each; 200 points tentative total

Final Exam

A Final Exam is still to be determined. In the event, 100 points tentative total

Final Grade
Final Course Grade: (# of points earned/ # of possible points x 100) = your grade 100

 

CLASS POLICIES

Attendance and Participation

While X590 is fully online course, participation is still important. All students are expected to attend if applicable (i.e. virtually or conference), be prepared for, and participate in, all course discussions and online activities. Full participation will be necessary to support your attainment of the course objectives.  Students are fully responsible for securing any materials and information that they may miss as a result of absence from class.

Written Assignments Policy

All written assignments must follow the standards of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition.  All written assignments must represent graduate level standards for writing. Assignments with questionable written quality will be returned to the student without the benefit of review.  All assignments are due on the date and time indicated—late assignments will not be accepted.

University Workshops and Seminars

It is highly recommended that students take advantage of the rich array of workshops and seminars offered by the University. For example, Writing Tutorial Services (WTS) offers assistance in writing in the form of pamphlets as well as individual consultation on assignments. One pamphlet describes how to use APA citation style (http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml (Links to an external site.)). As another example, the Library offers short courses in how to use the library, including searching for scientific articles through its databases. I recommend that you learn how to use the library databases and IU link as soon as possible. 

Course Evaluations

It is the policy of the School of Public Health to evaluate all courses taught through the School. Student course evaluations are completed online to ensure the anonymity of evaluators and increase the convenience/ completion of the evaluations.

Academic Integrity

Academic and personal misconduct by students in this class are defined and dealt with according to the procedures in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.  I recommend that you review the Writing Tutorial Services pamphlet on plagiarism to familiarize yourself with standards on writing papers for this course.    

Religious Observation

In accordance with the Office of the Dean of Faculties, any student who wishes to receive an excused absence from class must submit a request form available from the Dean of Faculties for each day to be absent. This form must be presented to the course professor by the end of the second week of this semester. A separate form must be submitted for each day. The form must be signed by the professor; the professor will make a copy and return the original to the student. Information about the policy on religious observation can be found at the following web site: https://www.indiana.edu/~vpfaa/academicguide/index.php/Policy_H-10. You can download the request form at: http://www.indiana.edu/~vpfaa/welcome/forms.shtml (Links to an external site.).

 


Click here to download a copy of the syllabus.
SU15 X590_SYLLABUS_RSCRCH_MTHDS_New Focus_June 23 2015.docx

Course Summary:

Date Details Due