PUBH XXX: Theoretical Questioning for Public Health Research

Spring 2019

Health Sciences Center, Room XXXX

Zachary Ramsey, MPH

Office Hours: 3830 HSC-South—by appointment
Email: zramsey@mix.wvu.edu
Cell Phone: 304.382.3132

Course Description. This course will provide students with the conceptual and practical tools to
apply theoretical/philosophical frameworks to their public health research development.
Through reading, cooperative learning, and discussing, students will gain experience in the
meaning and perspectives of social research philosophies.

Course Goal. To be able to apply philosophical thinking to social research.

Objectives. After completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the importance of using philosophical frameworks when designing a study.

2. Describe the basic constructs of the philosophical frameworks discussed in the class.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of which frameworks naturally work together and

which naturally repel each other.

4. Describe and demonstrate how the constructs can be used to inform research.

Required Textbooks

Michael Crotty. (1998). The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the

Research Process. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Articles will be provided and posted on the SOLE website.

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 Course Schedule (Subject to change)

Date Topic Readings Assignments Due

(to be updated and revised as needed)

Assigned readings and reading quizzes to be done BEFORE coming to class

Week 1 Syllabus Review and Syllabus Quiz

Introduction to Public
Health Research

Week 2 Theoretical Crotty Ch. 1 Quiz

Perspectives and the
Research Method Class Discussion Article

Week 3 Positivism Crotty Ch. 2 Quiz

Class Discussion Article

Week 4 Constructionism Crotty Ch. 3 Quiz

Class Discussion Article

Week 5 Interpretivism: Part I Crotty Ch. 4 Quiz

Class Discussion Article Article Critique 1

Week 6 Interpretivism: Part II Crotty Ch. 5 Quiz

Class Discussion Article

Week 7 Critical Inquiry: Part I Crotty Ch. 6 Quiz

Class Discussion Article Article Critique 2

Week 8 Critical Inquiry: Part II Crotty Ch. 7 Quiz

Class Discussion Article

Week 9 Derrida’s Articles on SOLE Quiz

Deconstruction
Class Discussion Article Article Critique 3

Week 10 No Class—Spring Break

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Week 11 Feminism Crotty Ch. 8 Quiz

Class Discussion Article

Week 12 Postmodernism Crotty Ch. 9 & 10 Quiz

Class Discussion Article

Week 13 Course Wrap Up Quiz

Article Critique 4

Week 14 NO CLASS WORK ON

PROJECT

Week 15 Presentations

Week 16 Presentations Final Papers Due

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 Assignments

All assignments are due by the end of class on the assigned due date and should be submitted
through SOLE in a Microsoft Word compatible format. Every attempt will be made to return
assignments within 10 days of the due date and respond to emails, phone calls, and discussion
questions within 48 hours.

Reading Quizzes: Weekly reading quizzes can be taken as many times as the student wants
before they close. The two lowest scores will be dropped. These quizzes are designed to
encourage you to read and to obtain an understanding of what might be important to focus on
through the readings.

Article Critiques: The four article critiques will be due the week after finishing a topic. The
student will have the option of the article they want to critique for that topic. If the student
would like to submit an alternate article for critique, the article must be provided prior to the due
date of the critique for approval (i.e. before Week 3 for Article Critique 1). These critiques allow
the student to see how the theoretical frame can be used in research and analyze what might have
been done well or what was missed.

Final Project & Presentation: Each student will choose a theoretical framework to explore in
more debt. The theoretical framework should be of some interest to the student and can inform
their future thinking. The exploration will include an annotated bibliography, critique of an
article that makes use of the framework, a brief study design making use of the framework, and a
presentation of the framework to the class. Additional information regarding expectations and
assessment criteria will be provided in class.

Assignment Grading Masters-level Grading

Reading Quizzes 100 (10 pts. each) A 90-100% 448-500 pts
Article Critique 1 50 B 80-89% 398-447 pts
Article Critique 2 50 C 70-79% 348-397 pts
Article Critique 3 50 D 60-69% 298-347 pts
Article Critique 4 50
Final Project 100 F < 60% 297 or lower
Final Presentation 100
Total 500

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Class Attendance.
Students may not miss more than two classes. It is the responsibility of the student to
communicate with the instructor to obtain lecture notes and guidance on assignments missed
during an absence from class. Habitual lateness or early departure will count as absences. More
than 2 absences (or habitual lateness/early departures) during the semester will result in the final
course grade being lowered by one full letter grade.

Class Participation.
Group discussions will occur every class period. Students will be expected to have read all
materials and be prepared to participate. Participation points will be earned through discussion
of articles and contributions to lectures throughout the semester.

Class Considerations.
Cell phones are to be silenced during class. Food and drinks are permitted during class as long
as students are considerate of others in the room. Students may take notes electronically as long
as it does not interfere with the learning others. Audio/video recording of courses must be pre-
approved by the instructor and other students.

Support Services
eCampus and technical support is available from the Office of Information Technology’s
Service Desk which can be reached at 304-293-4444, 1-877-327-9260 (toll-free), or
oithelp@mail.wvu.edu Be prepared to provide your WVU Identification Number, also
known as your 700 number.

Information about WVU’s Office of Accessibility Services’ can be obtained from

http://accessibilityservices.wvu.edu/

Information about WVU’s Academic Support Services can be obtained from

http://retention.wvu.edu/academic_resource_centers

Social Justice Statement

“West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment
and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication,
mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis
of race, sex, age, disability, veterans status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national
origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this
class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in
order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements
with the Office of Disability Services at 304-293-6700. http://disabilityservices.wvu.edu/

Academic Integrity

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 “The integrity of the classes offered by any academic institution solidifies the foundation of
its mission and cannot be sacrificed to expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore,
instructors will enforce rigorous standards of academic integrity in all aspects and
assignments of their courses. For the detailed policy of West Virginia University regarding
the definitions of acts considered to fall under academic dishonesty and possible ensuing
sanctions, please see the West Virginia University Academic Standards Policy
(http://catalog.wvu.edu/undergraduate/coursecreditstermsclassification). Should you have
any questions about possibly improper research citations or references, or any other activity
that may be interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please see your instructor
before the assignment is due to discuss the matter.”

Inclusivity Statement

“The West Virginia University community is committed to creating and fostering a positive
learning and working environment based on open communication, mutual respect, and
inclusion.

If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in
order to participate in your classes, please advise your instructors and make appropriate
arrangements with the Office of Accessibility Services.
(https://accessibilityservices.wvu.edu/)

More information is available at the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

(https://diversity.wvu.edu/) as well. [adopted 2-11-2013]”

Guidelines for Absences Due to Military Service Requirement

“In accordance with the “Veteran Friendly” designation, WVU faculty may allow students
who are members of the US Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Active
Reserve) to make up tests and assignments that are missed during a semester if the
student is officially called up for military service requirements for a limited period; and if
the delayed coursework completion will not irreversibly impact the students’ ability to
appropriately master the required subject matter . Absence due to required military
obligation should not exceed a cumulative amount of three weeks, and the students should
follow the appropriate protocol.”

Days of Special Concern

WVU recognizes the diversity of its students and the needs of those who wish to be absent
from class to participate in Days of Special Concern, which are listed in the Schedule of
Courses. Students should notify their instructors by the end of the second week of classes
or prior to the first Day of Special Concern, whichever is earlier, regarding Day Special
Concern observances that will affect their online attendance. Further, students must abide
by the online attendance policy of their instructor as stated on their syllabi. Faculty will
make reasonable accommodation for assignments that a student misses as a result of
observing a Day of Special Concern.

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Sale of Course Material
“All course materials, including lectures, class notes, quizzes, exams, handouts,
presentations, and other course materials provided to students for their courses are
protected intellectual property. As such, the unauthorized purchase or sale of these materials
may result in disciplinary sanctions under the Student Conduct Code.
(https://studentconduct.wvu.edu/policies-and-procedures) [adopted 5-11-2015]”

Incomplete Policy
“The WVU Catalog contains the full Incomplete Policy.”