Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The goal is for the students to acquire knowledge and skills to support and understand scientific methods within both health sciences and social sciences. The students achieve this through insights into classic study designs and methods, as well as through structured coverage of selected research areas through systematic literature searches as well as critical reading and assessment of scientific literature. 

The course focuses on methodological skills to address two aspects of design, development and implementation processes of digital health projects: 1) identification and exploration of complexity in different stages of the process and 2) investigation and framing of the importance of context for a specific digital health project. The course also includes a focus on the use of tables, figures, and other visualization techniques in the different phases of a digital health project. 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Can explain in detail classic study designs and methods within health sciences and social sciences research. 

• Can independently explain the possibilities and limitations of different types of study designs and methods with reference to relevant quality criteria, cf. the choices made in a study.  

• Can explain the principles of the research process in relation to the chosen scientific method(s). 

Skills

• Can argue for connections between hypothesis or research questions, study designs, scientific method(s), and data. 

• Can discuss scientific quality criteria, in general, as well as in relation to different scientific designs and methods.    

• Can argue for and select relevant study designs for exemplified hypothesis or problem formulation. 

• Can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for structured coverage of a research area through systematic literature search, as well as critical reading and assessment of scientific literature. 

• Can communicate own research, both orally and in writing.  

• Can discuss and critically reflect on the connection between research questions and the choice of research design and methods – in general and in relation to specific studies. 

Competences

• Can reflect on and critically relate to the knowledge that can be produced with different social and health science designs and methods.  

Type of instruction

This course focuses on scientific methodologies, supporting participants in handling different hypotheses, research questions, and approaches to designing, developing, and implementing digital health projects. 

The teaching format is blended learning based on self-study of both written material and video clips, discussion in study groups and online seminars. 

Exam

Exams