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.
• If the practice is done, understand the work of an international or non-governmental organisation.

Content

The course consists of two sections. In the first section the students get to select one of three course modules of totally 10 credits each. The second section consists of four course modules of in total 20 credits that all students take together.

The following modules can be selected during the first section: 1) Field Research 10 c, 2) Internship course 10 c, 3) Theory course based on current topics in global health 10 c.

The second section consists of: 4) Literature review 5 c, 5) Quantitative research methods 5 c, 6) Qualitative research methods 5 c, and 7) Advanced research methods 5 c (where students get to select either quantitative or qualitative methods).

Description of course modules:

1. Field Research 10 c: 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 and is part of the examination.
2. Internship course 10 c: Internship in an organisation that works with global health organised by the student and approved by the department after a contract has been negotiated and agreed.
3. Theory course 10 c: In-depth studies in a current topic within global health. This might be divided into smaller course units depending on the topics.
4. Literature review 5 c: 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. Quantitative research methods 5 c: 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.
6. Qualitative research methods 5 c: 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. Reflexivity through the research process. Credibility, ethics and transferability.
7. Advanced research methods 5 c: The student chooses either quantitative or qualitative methods for in-depth studies. This course module will be preparatory for the coming thesis work.

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 tests, participation in compulsory parts, written assignments. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator. All examinations are in English.