Course

Fundamentals of Health Research and Epidemiology

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Health Information Management
Course code
HIMP 4430
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
36
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Hybrid
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
Students are introduced to the concepts of health research, epidemiology, the methods to detect bias, and how to determine validity and reliability. Included in this will be the opportunity to identify a research question and hypothesis, perform a literature review and complete a critical analysis of findings.
Course content

In this course the learner will explore:

  • Research and epidemiology frameworks and terminology
  • The principles of scientific investigation
  • Research study design
  • Testing a hypothesis
  • The process to identify bias in research and epidemiological studies
  • The steps in performing and critiquing a literature review
  • Epidemiological studies, determining design, statistics used and generated
  • The relationship between research and epidemiology within health information management
  • The process to secure and ensure ethical research
  • The relationship between data integrity and governance and health information management
Learning activities

Students will learn fundamentals of health research and epidemiology through a combination of lecture, experiential learning and independent study.  Some or all of the following methods wll be used:

  • lecture/discussion
  • group work
  • group discussions and exercises
  • independent research
  • quizzes
  • instructor feedback on students' work
  • individual consultation
  • presentation (individual or group)
Means of assessment

The course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.  An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.  This is a graded course.  All assignments must be completed to pass the course.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, successful learners will be able to:

  • Define key research and epidemiology terminology
  • Explain principles of scientific investigation  
  • Explain necessary steps for designing a research study  
  • Distinguish between various types of study
  • Design a research study to test a specific hypothesis  
  • Detect and describe different types of biases and give examples of research studies performed in health care   
  • Justify the most effective methods to test validity and reliability   
  • Design a literature review and complete a critical analysis of findings   
  • Analyze epidemiological studies, identify advantages/disadvantages of each study design, and identify the various healthcare statistics used or generated  
  • Explain how various epidemiological research study designs can be used in health information management   
  • Explain how study design facilitates the outcome studies   
  • Identify the relationship between research methodology and evidenced-based practice in health information management 
  • Demonstrate the importance of ethics in research and epidemiological study  
  • Identify data governance and data integrity issues pertinent to research and epidemiology  
Textbook materials

A list of required and optional textbooks, materials and electronic applications is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.

Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for HIMP 4430
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
36
Currently enrolled
15
Remaining seats:
21
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D2010
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

HIMP 4430 001 - This course is restricted to HIMP students only.

HIMP 4430 001 has two sessions, one on Fridays from 1030 to 1220 and one Asynchronous session with no meeting time.