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  • Resources Open Education Resources Masters in Public Health Modules Core
  • Public health research

Public health research

Welcome to this second semester Public Health Research Module. I will have met some of you and had contact with all of you through having co-convened and taught on the Population and Development II module with Nikki Schaay in your first semester. It is good to reconnect with you all again.

This module was designed to meet the need for an applied course in the design of focused research, which could address the questions, which arise within the broad field of Public Health practice and research. It is also the first steps in your being able to begin the path to preparing a research proposal in year two of your MPH studies and then conducting your research and writing up your MPH mini-thesis.

It is hoped that by the end of the module, you may have identified a topic of interest, begun to explore literature related to it, and explored your research options with regard to qualitative and quantitative research problems. You should be ready to take the first steps in: reviewing literature on a research topic; formulating a research problem and study rationale; developing an aim and objectives; identifying a research design; and considering research ethics issues. In the research methods modules offered next year you will either choose the Qualitative or Quantitative Research Methods module. You will then start developing this proposal further, by paying attention to the specific research methods, techniques in data collection, sampling and analysis.  So don’t stress that this is all the preparation you will have – it is the first step. If you don’t have a research topic by the end of this module that you are sure about, there is still time to think and discuss this while you are doing your second year modules in Qualitative or Quantitative Research Methods and your elective modules.

The module consists of Four Units, containing study sessions, which will provide an overview of the research process and take you through the process of beginning to develop a research proposal. You will be referred back to parts of the module you did on Measuring Health and Disease II (MHDII) on quantitative research. There will be a greater concentration on qualitative and mixed methods research in this module because you have already received some grounding in quantitative research through MHDII.

The introductory pages below provide you with an overview of the

Module, its outcomes, as well as the sources that will support and assist you. Take the time to look through this section before you begin studying. Your assignment questions appear below and are also are uploaded separately

under as Assignment questions under Assignments on the Ikamva site for this module. It is important to answer the sub-questions asked of you. These assignments will specifically focus on building your research capacity.

The module is accompanied by readings (core and optional extra) that have been loaded under Course resources on the iKamva site. These and other texts are designed for self-­­study. This enables you to work through the material at your own pace. Flexible learning allows you to explore the material in whatever depth you prefer, and to skip over parts with which you are already familiar. The module involves a variety of different kinds of learning activities, including reading, reflection and application.

The SOPH Programme Handbook provides you with contact information on administrative issues and module choices for the MPH. It also contains the general information you need for your assignment tasks and how they will be assessed. We have uploaded some tips on reading, writing and assignment writing under a sub-folder under Course resource. Please contact me, as the module convenor, for questions you may have related to the academic content of the module.

Remember also to consult the SOPH Academic Handbook that is uploaded onto iKamva for all MPH students. This provides additional information and guidelines for submitting assignments, referencing and on avoiding plagiarism in assignments etc. In addition, we have uploaded a very useful UCT guide on the Harvard referencing style onto iKamva under Course Resources.

We hope that you will give us some feedback on your experience of this module, so that we can improve the module for future students. You will be asked to do so on an evaluation form, which will be sent to you during Winter School for those that attend and at the end, on completion of the module. We hope that you enjoy the module and find it useful in your own efforts to improve Public and community health.

Click below to download the different units of the module guide:

PHR Module Introduction

PHR Unit 1

PHR Unit 2

PHR Unit 3

PHR Unit 4

Masters in Public Health Modules

  • Using information for Effective Management in Health Care Services
    21 June 2021
  • Rational medicines use
    21 June 2021
  • Quantitative research methods
    21 June 2021
  • Qualitative research methods
    21 June 2021
  • Public health research
    21 June 2021
  • Public health nutrition policy and planning
    21 June 2021
  • Population health and development II
    21 June 2021
  • Pharmaceutical policy and management
    21 June 2021
  • Micronutrient Malnutrition
    21 June 2021
  • Measuring health and disease
    21 June 2021
  • Introduction to health workforce development
    21 June 2021
  • Health promotion
    21 June 2021
  • Health management strategies
    21 June 2021
  • Health information systems
    21 June 2021
  • Globalisation and health
    21 June 2021
  • Epidemiology and control of NCDs
    21 June 2021
  • Alcohol problems
    21 June 2021
  • Monitoring and evaluation in primary health care
    21 June 2021

Students who already have a masters degree in another field and are interested in completing a PhD in public health, may choose to pursue the PGD in order to gain a strong grounding and background in public health – before applying to be a PhD candidate. FIND OUT MORE Frequently Asked
Questions
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Announcements and Events

  • Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Fellowship 2022
    13 June 2022
  • Call for applications Postdoctoral Fellow 2022: The Food Environment Research Group
    9 December 2021
  • Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Fellowship 2022
    24 November 2021
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