Entry requirements

University degree, minimum of 180 credits, in medicine, nursing, nutrition or another area relevant to global health. All applicants need to verify English language proficiency. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Completed course in Global Health 1, or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students are expected to be able to:

• Critically evaluate research papers.
• Formulate and compare the theoretical basis of qualitative and quantitative research.
• Be able to perform data analysis of epidemiological or qualitative studies
• Master the principles of planning, execution and analysis of research studies.
• Critically examine the context and credibility, and be able to analyse and evaluate the consequences for public health.
• Be able to identify and analyse opportunities for health and health problems in a particular area of interest and at the advanced level of understanding. The focus will be on international child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, public health in humanitarian action or public health nutrition.
• If the practice is done, understand the work of an international or non-governmental organisation.

Content

The course consists of the following modules of which three are selected, which together provide 30 c: 1) Quantitative Research Methods 10c, 2) Qualitative research methods 10c, 3) Field Research in Global Health 10c, 4) Literature review in Global Health 10c, 5) Internship Course 10c.

1. Quantitative research methods 10c: An overview of epidemiological design and methodology and basic statistical methods. Introduction and exercises with relevant statistical software. Critical review of research papers based on advanced epidemiological analysis and population-based randomized interventions. Principles for advanced analysis of cohort, case studies and computer labs with such analysis. Overview and critical discussion of causality and the impact on people's health at risk evaluations and the effects of interventions.
2. Qualitative research methods 10c: Scientific theoretical bases of qualitative research in global public health. Principles for the planning, implementation and evaluation of the 'Grounded theory', ethnography and discourse analysis. Analytical approaches and formulation of results. Use of computer programs in qualitative analysis. Use and benefit of theories. Transcultural Research; opportunities and challenges. Reflexitivity through the research process. Credibility, ethics and transferability.
3. Field Research in Global Health 10c: The course takes the form of an individual small research project. It focuses on practical problems with doing research in a situation outside of one's own society on a health issue in a low- or middle-income country or in a marginalized population. Students identify and design a research protocol and select appropriate methods under the supervision of teachers. To prepare for data collection in a specific area, the contacts are made with local coworkers. An application for ethical review will be carried out. Travel to field research and data collection is carried out according to the protocol. Encode and store data for further analysis. A written summary of fieldwork experience will be presented.
4. Literature review in Global Health 10c: The student conducts a literature review to gain advanced knowledge in a particular field of global health, as well as in research. A plan is outlined and approved by the supervisor. The study is presented in written form.
5. Internship Course 10c: Internship in an organisation that works with global health organised by the student and approved by the department.

Instruction

The instruction consists of lectures, literature studies, seminars and individual and joint assignments, and presentations. Teaching is interactive and students are encouraged to participate and reflect on their own experiences in the field. All teaching and learning materials are in English.

Assessment

The assessment is based on:

Written examination, participation in compulsory sessions, oral presentations, assignments.

All examinations are in English.