Critical Approaches to Evidence

HCRI70010 Critical Approaches to Evidence 15 Full year Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Imri Schattner-ornan Unit coordinator Humanitarian Conflict Response Institute 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 This unit encompasses essential elements from epidemiology required by MSF staff working in the field as well as basic qualitative and quantitative research methods. The unit covers the main essential epidemiological concepts required to enable the students to understand and synthesise evidence from academic papers and how to apply this knowledge to improve their own and their organisation’s practice.  Communication of risk will be used as an overarching theme to explore basic concepts associated with risk and the opportunities that are commonly used to communicate research findings such as incidence, prevalence, relative risk, odds ratios and can be used to inform change in practice.  Basic epidemiological concepts such as use of appropriate indicators and needs assessment will be explored.  Students will be introduced to basic statistical techniques to support synthesis and analysis of data. In this module, students will also explore the concept of evidence and its association with the research process as applied to the humanitarian health sector.  Different research paradigms will be discussed, including how each may be applied in the humanitarian setting. Core content of this module will include:<ul> <li> Introduction to qualitative research and its place as a source of evidence to inform practice. </li> <li> Review of how to search for and synthesise findings from qualitative and quantitative research to help inform practice. </li> <li> Critical appraisal of evidence from research studies</li> <li> Principles of epidemiology and study design – including descriptive studies, cohort, case control and randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews</li></ul>Multiple forms of data collection and analysis (types of data; representation of data; summary measurement for continuous data; normal distribution; mean; standard deviation; percentiles; p values; confidence interval; calculation and communication of risk - odds ratios, relative risk; hypothesis testing to include basic parametric and non-parametric tests; bias and confounding; sampling; data analysis.) This unit encompasses essential elements from epidemiology required by MSF staff working in the field as well as basic qualitative and quantitative research methods. The unit covers the main essential epidemiological concepts required to enable the students to understand and synthesise evidence from academic papers and how to apply this knowledge to improve their own and their organisation’s practice.  Communication of risk will be used as an overarching theme to explore basic concepts associated with risk and the opportunities that are commonly used to communicate research findings such as incidence, prevalence, relative risk, odds ratios and can be used to inform change in practice.  Basic epidemiological concepts such as use of appropriate indicators and needs assessment will be explored.  Students will be introduced to basic statistical techniques to support synthesis and analysis of data. In this module, students will also explore the concept of evidence and its association with the research process as applied to the humanitarian health sector.  Different research paradigms will be discussed, including how each may be applied in the humanitarian setting. Core content of this module will include:<ul> <li> Introduction to qualitative research and its place as a source of evidence to inform practice. </li> <li> Review of how to search for and synthesise findings from qualitative and quantitative research to help inform practice. </li> <li> Critical appraisal of evidence from research studies</li> <li> Principles of epidemiology and study design – including descriptive studies, cohort, case control and randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews</li></ul>Multiple forms of data collection and analysis (types of data; representation of data; summary measurement for continuous data; normal distribution; mean; standard deviation; percentiles; p values; confidence interval; calculation and communication of risk - odds ratios, relative risk; hypothesis testing to include basic parametric and non-parametric tests; bias and confounding; sampling; data analysis.) <div> This unit aims to:Prepare those working in the NGO/humanitarian sector with the practical knowledge and skills they need to understand and synthesise evidence from academic papers, and apply this to their own experience in humanitarian practice, and to critically review the presentation of data in reports and literature.  The unit also aims to help students identify different research paradigms, and understand how each may be used effectively to inform and improve humanitarian practice.  </div>  Critically examine quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, methods and core concepts in appropriate for humanitarian practiceUnderstanding of essential epidemiology concepts and portrayal of evidence in shaping policy decisions.Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of the position of evidence in humanitarian practice decision-making. Critically appraise evidence from qualitative and quantitative research papers.Monitor and evaluate a range of concepts of risk. Research and utilise appropriate evidence from a range of sources.Synthesise, analyse and interpret research findings to inform decision-making. Communicate research outcomes effectively, using appropriate technical and lay language, to explain risk and patterns of health-related events. <div style="margin-left:18.0pt;">This is a blended course unit which can be undertaken either entirely by distance learning or can be attended on-campus for face-to-face lectures and workshops. The on-campus course programme will be replicated on Canvas for the distance students.The face-to -face lectures will be online after the lecture; and will be recorded for students who could not access the lecture live.Students will receive course materials and access to an online virtual learning environment (Canvas).  The course materials are designed to guide the student through the study process.</div> 0 Other 100% Critical Review of Research Paper - 55%Critical Reflection - 35%Contribution to Discussion Board - 10% Written feedback after submission N Validity and ReliabilityGolafshani, N. (2003) Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research, TheQualitative  Report 8(4)   pp  597-607.  <a href="http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR84/golafshani.pdf">http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR84/golafshani.pdf</a> Hammersley, M. (1987) Some Notes on the Terms 'Validity' and 'Reliability', BritishEducational Research Journal 13(1) pp 73-81. <a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/1501231">http://www.jstor.org/stable/1501231</a>McKinnon, J. (1988)  Reliability and Validity in Field Research: Some Strategies andTactics, Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 1(1) pp 34 – 54 Data Analysis and PresentationKuper, A., Reeves, S., and Levinson, W. (2008) Qualitative Research. An introduction to reading and appraising qualitative research. BMJ, 337.Pope, C. Ziebland, S., and Mays, N. (2000) Qualitative Research in Health Care: Analysing Qualitative Data. BMJ, 320: 114-116.Caldwell, K., Henshaw, L., Taylor, G. (2005) Developing a framework for critiquing health research. Journal of Health, Social and Environmental Issues, 6(1): 45-54.Interpreting Statistical ResultsBurns, W. (1996) Spurious Correlations <a href="http://www.burns.com/wcbspurcorl.htm">http://www.burns.com/wcbspurcorl.htm</a> Research for healthThe global health network website.  Available at: <a href="https://tghn.org/">https://tghn.org/</a>Research for health in humanitarian crises (elrha) website.  Available at: <a href="http://www.elrha.org/r2hc/home/">http://www.elrha.org/r2hc/home/</a> Series of four papers in the Lancet (2017).  Blanchet K, Ramesh A, Frison S, et al. Evidence on public health interventions in humanitarian crises. The Lancet. 0 0 0 150 Hours Study