PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Introduction to Research Methods

Syllabus
Course Information
Course Number
Credits
Contact Hours
Number of Weeks

RMIP231/MRS266H1
1
39
13

Description
This course provides an introduction to research methods and designs relevant to healthcare
practitioners. The course will focus on an introduction to various research designs including
experimental and non-experimental, as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods. In
addition, the course will focus on providing a practical understanding of several statistical tools
used in medical and health research. The emphasis will be on knowing when to use the various
tests, what they measure, and how to interpret results.
For students in Podiatric Medicine and Medical Radiation Science, RMIP231 provides a
foundation for the completion of the Clinical Research Project. Students interested in
economizing on future discipline-specific requirements may benefit from considering RMIP231 as
a research resource for their future work.
This course follows a Team-Based Learning structure. Assessments are proportioned as follows:
Individual Assignments = 35%; Team Readiness (based on combined individual assignments for
the team - no added work) = 20%; Team Exercises - conducted primarily during direct
instructional hours (with exception of 1 LRC team visit) = 45%.
Students requiring remediation with course content will be monitored through their grades on the
individual assignments. In the event that a student requires remediation, supplementary exercises
will be assigned and feedback/clarification offered. In week 7, there can be the opportunity to
offer a remediation class for students.

Prerequisites
Students in the course must be in their second year of study at Michener. These students will
have successfully completed their first year course(s) in Interprofessional Collaboration
Exemption Criteria A for MLS and Chiropody: (1) Successful completion (final grade of C) of
undergraduate course in Research Methods (that includes quantitative, qualitative, and mixed
methods) AND (2) Successful completion (final grade of C) of undergraduate course in Statistics.
These courses must have been completed within the last 5 years. Exception Criteria A for MRS:
(1) Successful completion (final grade of B) of undergraduate course in Research Methods and

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:
(2) Successful completion (final grade of B) of undergraduate course in Statistics. These courses
must have been completed within the last 5 years. Acceptable Documentation = University
Transcript.
Exemption Criteria B for MLS, Chiropody, and MRS: One of the two criteria for your discipline
above AND full summer or academic year employment in a research environment. Acceptable
Documentation = University Transcript AND a letter of recommendation from your immediate
supervisor.
Exemption Criteria C for MLS, Chiropody, and MRS: Return to school with a minimum of 2-years
in a clinical research setting. Acceptable Documentation = Curriculum Vitae AND a letter of
recommendation from your immediate supervisor. In the event that you have published in a peerreviewed academic-clinical journal, a copy of this submission and/or link to its location is also
considered supporting documentation but should be accompanied by your CV and letter of
support.
Note: You may only use a course and/or experience for one exemption. It is not possible to use a
completed Research Methods course for a departmental exemption as well as for this
interprofessional exemption.
Note: Applications for exemptions are strongly discouraged when students have not met the
exemption criteria listed above. Having completed a research paper is not equivalent to
completion of a course in research methodology. Similarly, one unit on Research Methods does
not constitute breadth of research knowledge and will not be considered equivalent. Holding a
position in a laboratory that does not include working directly in primary research also does not
qualify for exemption.
Note: For MRS students, the first-year courses used to qualify for admission to a MRS program
cannot be used for exemption.

Textbooks
Mike Saks and Judith Allsop. Researching Health Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed
Methods. Sage. ISBN: 978-1-4129-0364-6. Required.
Dr Katherine Jones and Katherine Hooper. Researching Health Companion
Website. Sage. Required. Miscellaneous: http://www.sagepub.co.uk/sake_allsop..

Core Abilities
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Exhibit professional behaviour

Communicate clearly and effectively
Manage the use of time and other resources to complete tasks and attain goals
Solve problems using a variety of strategies
Take responsibility for his/her own actions
Work effectively in teams

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Program Outcomes
A.

Programs to insert program-specific external standards and indicators

External Standards
Programs to insert program-specific external standards and indicators

Competencies
1.

2.

3.

4.

Examine the role and importance of the scientific method in health care
Learning Objectives
a. Define the breadth of The Scientific Method and its role/importance in health care
b. Share the process of research and components within the process
c. Outline the importance of the research question
d. Identify key characteristics of good research questions
e. Outline the importance of conducting a review of the literature as part of the
empirical process
f. Introduce students to research tools and search engines that support conducting a
literature review
Identify relevant ethical issues that affect health care research
Learning Objectives
a. Acquaint students with the Tricouncil guidelines for the ethical treatment of human
participants
b. Examine the breadth of considerations required in conducting ethical health
research
Explore qualitative and quantitative research design
Learning Objectives
a. Summarize the benefits of qualitative research designs
b. Describe the limitations inherent in the use of qualitative research designs
c. Summarize the benefits of quantitative research designs
d. Describe the limitations inherent in the user of quantitative research designs
Explore research using mixed methods
Learning Objectives
a. Acquaint self with principles of mixed research methods
b. Participate in a mixed method model as an action researcher
c. Appraise the value of Team-Based Learning using an Action Research approach

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:
5.

6.

Investigate the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data

Learning Objectives
a. Explore sources of data beyond survey approaches
b. Define levels of measurement
c. Define descriptive and inferential statistics, including purposeful usage
d. Explore the presentation of data (e.g., visuals as well as measures of central
tendency and dispersion)
e. Examine fundamental inferential statistics used in health research
Examine the dissemination of health research
Learning Objectives
a. Activate critical reading skills when engaged in the scientific literature
b. Demonstrate breadth of search capabilities when engaged in research activities
c. Integrate research resources with the presentation of data and results gleaned from
research
d. Develop a tool kit to make future contributions to the clinical-academic literature

Grading Information
Grading Rationale
Week 2: Tutorial for the Tricouncil Policy (5%)
Weeks 3or4; 6, 8, 9, 11: Team Exercises (45%)
Week 5: 3 Research Questions & RefWorks File (5%)
Weeks 6, 8, 9, 11: Individual Readiness (40%)
Week 10: Knowledge Rounds (5%)

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Schedule
Session

Notes

Week 1

Topic: The Scientific Method

Activity Due: None
Topic: Research Ethics
Activity Due: Tutorial for Tricouncil Policy
Topic: Fundamentals of PubMed and The Cochrane Library
Activity Due: LRC RefWorks Visit
Topic: RefWorks Fundamentals
Activity Due: LRC RefWorks Visit
Topic: Conducting a Literature Review
Activity Due: Three Research Questions with RefWorks File
Topic: How to Read the Scientific Literature
Activities Due: Individual Readiness - How to Read the Scientific Literature; Team
Exercise: Reading Scientific Research
Topic: Foundations of Quantitative Research Design I
Activity Due: None
Topic: Foundations of Quantitative Research Design II
Activities Due: Individual Readiness - Quantitative Methods; Team Exercise Quantitative Methods
Topic: Statistical Methods in Health
Activities Due: Individual Readiness - Statistical Analysis; Team Exercise Statistical Analysis
Topic: Foundations in Qualitative Research I
Activity Due: Participation in Knowledge Rounds
Foundations of Qualitative Research II
Activities Due: Individual Readiness - Qualitative Methods; Team Exercise Qualitative Methods
Foundations in Qualitative Research III
Introduction to Mixed Methods

Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6

Week 7
Week 8

Week 9

Week 10
Week 11

Week 12
Week 13

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Performance Assessment Task 1

Tutorial for the Tricouncil Policy (Week 2) 5%

Target Competency
Identify relevant ethical issues that affect health care research

Directions
COMPLETE the Tricouncil Online Tutorial in research ethics with Human Participants
Introductory Tutorial for the Tricouncil Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving
HumansTutorial . SUBMIT your certificate of completion.
This individual assessment comprises 5% of your final grade.

Tutorial for the Tricouncil Policy (Week 2) 5%

Tutorial for the Tricouncil Policy Scoring Guide

Scoring Guide 1
Scoring Guide
1.

Criteria
Submission of the Certificate of Completion of the
Introductory Tutorial for the Tricouncil Policy Statement:
Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans

Ratings
Present Not Present

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Performance Assessment Task 2

Team Exercises (Weeks 3or4; 6, 8, 9, 11) 45%

Target Competency
Examine the role and importance of the scientific method in health care
Examine the dissemination of health research
Identify relevant ethical issues that affect health care research
Explore qualitative and quantitative research design
Explore research using mixed methods
Investigate the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data

Directions
Teams will participate in 5 team exercises. Team scores will be calculated based on the scoring
rubrics associated with each exercise. The will be presented on the day of the Team Exercise.
1. LRC RefWorks Visit (Weeks 3 & 4) 5%
Teams will attend a session in the Learning Resource Centre where members will learn more
about the capabilities of RefWorks and search strategies in the electronic data bases (e.g.,
PubMed). Students will apply this knowledge to the completion of individual assignments entitled
"3 Research Questions" as well as to the completion of the assignment entitled "My RefWorks
File". 70% of your team must be in attendance at the session to receive a Pass equivalent to 5%
of your final grade.
2. Team Exercises
Teams will participate in the following exercises:
a) Reading Scientific Research (Week 6) 10%
b) Team Exercise - Quantitative Methods (Week 8) 10%
c) Team Exercise - Statistical Analysis (Week 9) 10%
d) Team Exercise - Qualitative Methods (Week 11) 10%
These exercises will take place during the class hour. Your Team will be provided with a research
inquiry that requires the use of quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed methods. Your team will
respond to a series of directed questions associated with the topic. Remember to put the
strengths of your team to good use. You have 45 minutes to complete this team exercise. At the
end of 45 minutes, your team will hand in its completed assignment. During the 45 minutes, the
Research Facilitators will be available for support as required. Teams will be evaluated based on

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:
the appropriateness of their responses to a series of pre-defined questions that you will receive at
the beginning of the class.
NOTE: Students must be present during the Team Exercises to receive course credit for the team
exercise. In the event that a student has missed a team exercise and has an accompanying
medical note, a related supplementary assignment will be provided.

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Performance Assessment Task 3

Research Questions & RefWorks File (Week 5) 5%

Target Competency
Examine the role and importance of the scientific method in health care

Directions
THINK of 3 ideas that you might like to pursue through empirical study. For students who are
required to complete a clinical research project (i.e., MRS; Podiatric Medicine), you may want to
consider ideas that will relate to your future clinical project. MLS students may wish to consider
research ideas associated with clinical trials and/or evaluations of instruments or processes.
WRITE a research question for each idea. Make sure that your research questions are welldefined, not too broad, not too narrow, and are answerable using the scientific method.
TAKE the 3 research questions and begin to consider the literature in each area. USE
REFWORKS to locate 3 references that might be of interest to you in each research area.
ORGANIZE your RefWorks file according to your research questions.
This individual assessment comprises 5% of your final grade.

Research Questions & RefWorks File (Week 5) 5%

Research Questions & RefWorks File Scoring

Guide
Scoring Guide 1
Scoring Guide
1.
2.
3.
4.

Criteria
3 research questions have been submitted
3 research questions are in the form of questions rather
than topics
3 research questions are clearly defined and do no
contain words such as "best", "better", or "good"
The RefWorks file exists and contains 3 references for
each one of the 3 research questions.

Ratings
Present Not Present
Present Not Present
Present Not Present
Present Not Present

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Performance Assessment Task 4

Individual Readiness (Weeks 6, 8, 9, 11) 40%

Target Competency
Examine the role and importance of the scientific method in health care
Identify relevant ethical issues that affect health care research
Explore qualitative and quantitative research design
Explore research using mixed methods
Investigate the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data
Examine the dissemination of health research

Directions
There are 4 Individual Readiness Assurance Tasks that you will complete online in Blackboard.
You will answer 10 multiple choice questions related to the upcoming weekly topic. These
assessments are to be completed prior to the class in which the topic is presented. The content
will focus on material from your readings. You will receive an individual readiness score that,
across 4 topics, will sum to 20% of your final grade.
In addition, the Individual Readiness scores of your team will be summed to calculate a team
score for the Readiness Assurance Process which represents 20% of your final grade. The
combined total grade will represent 40% of your final grade.
The Individual Readiness Topics are:
1. Individual Readiness -- How to read the Scientific Literature (Week 6) 5%
2. Individual Readiness -- Quantitative Methods (Week 8) 5%
3. Individual Readiness -- Statistical Analysis (Week 9) 5%
4. Individual Readiness -- Qualitative Methods (Week 11) 5%
NOTE: Students MUST have completed the Individual Readiness Assurance Task in order to
receive credit for the Team Score for the Readiness Assurance Process.

10

PROGRAM:

All Programs

COURSE TITLE:
FACULTY:

Introduction to Research Methods

Ann Russell, Anne Topple

COURSE NUMBER: RMIP231

DATE:

September 2010

REVISED:

May 2010

CHAIR SIGNATURE:

Performance Assessment Task 5

Knowledge Rounds (Week 10) 5%

Target Competency
Explore qualitative and quantitative research design
Explore research using mixed methods
Investigate the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data

Directions
Attend Guest Lecturer Presentation. Submit (in person, along with photo ID) your ticket of
attendance. Your proof of attendance will contribute 5% to your final grade.

11