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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - PHC7727
Tracking Number - 2866
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Current Status:
Approved by SCNS - 2012-06-14
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: To GC Chair 5/4/12 for MPH Epi Conc; GC appd 5/15/12. to USf 5/15/12. Pending Confirmation of Pre-req: PHC 6192 doesn't exist. Corrected to PHC 6190. Cleared. Appd eff 8/1/12. Sub as 7016. Appd as 7727
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2012-03-26
- Department: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- College: PH
- Budget Account Number: 640300-10000-PUB001-0000000
- Contact Person: Wendy Nembhard
- Phone: 8139746861
- Email: wnembha@health.usf.edu
- Prefix: PHC
- Number: 7727
- Full Title: Implementation and Management of Epidemiologic Studies
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: C -
Class Lecture (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: Y
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?:
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Management of Epi Studies
- Course Online?: C -
Face-to-face (0% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
R - Regular
- Prerequisites: PHC 6000, PHC 6010, PHC 6011, PHC 6050, PHC 6701, PHC 6190 or instructor consent
- Corequisites: None
- Course Description: This course addresses the practical aspects of implementation and management of research studies in a manner consistent with the scientific method, i.e., how do you get it done? Topics include systems theory, questionnaire design, & operations research.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Replacing Selected Topics with Permanent number; already listed in program
- What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? There is a great need for this course. Most doctoral students in public health, nursing, biomedical or medical programs are trained in research methods and grant writing/proposal development but very few programs train students in the implementation or management of research projects.
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? Yes, 2 times
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) 1) PhD in Epidemiology
2) Experience in creating a manual of procedures for an epidemiologic study
- Objectives: The objective of this course is for students to learn how to create a manual of operating procedures for a research study and the guiding scientific and epidemiologic principles that should be followed for the successful implementation and completion of public health research.
- Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course the student should be able to:
1. State a set of researchable objectives for the investigation of an epidemiologic problem
2. Outline the design and methods for epidemiological research appropriate to the study objectives
3. Prepare a detailed plan of action to achieve the study objectives that demonstrate awareness of research quality issues and logistical details, i.e., prepare a manual of procedures.
- Major Topics: 1) Objectives vs. operational objectives;
2) Systems theory;
3) Records systems;
4) Questionnaire Design;
5) Developing study forms;
6) Developing study procedures;
7) Managing Study Personnel;
8) Budget Management;
9) Project Time Management;
10) Data entry and editing;
- Textbooks: Abramson,J.H. and Abramson, Z.H Survey methods in community medicine: Surveys, Epidemiological Research, Programme Evaluation, Clinical Trials. 6th edition. Sussex: Wiley, 2008.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: The following supplemental reading packet is also required and may be purchased at the COPH Copy Center.
1) Interactive Study Guide (ISG): additional readings, examples, and material for work we will do in class and 2) Childbearing Women Survey Manual of Procedures (CBS-MOP). This Manual will serve as a reference and as an example of the work you will do for the course. It will be referred to in class.
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: The following assignments will be used to evaluate the performance of students in the course. The requirements for each assignment will be posted on Blackboard or handed-out in class. Students who are absent for a class period in which an assignment was given are responsible for obtaining the assignment from a classmate, Blackboard, or the instructor(s). There will be no opportunity for "extra credit" in this course. Grades will not be “curved”. There will be no opportunity for "extra credit" in this course. The specific grading events for this course are as follows:
Percentage for each grading event
Assignment % of Final Grade
1. Study Objectives & Concept Paper N/A
2. Flowchart Exercise N/A
3. Questionnaire N/A
4. Sampling Plan N/A
5. Study Forms N/A
6. Informed Consent Forms N/A
7. Revised Questionnaires N/A
8. Procedures Exercise N/A
9. PERT Chart N/A
10. Study Budget & Justification N/A
11. Final Manual of Procedures 80%
12. Student Presentation 20%
Student Expectations: 1) Assignments: All assignments must be turned in on time through SafeAssignment in Blackboard.
2) Assignment Due Dates: Assignments are expected to be turned in by being uploaded into Blackboard through Safe Assign not later than11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date it is due. Late assignments will have 10 points deducted for each 24 hour period or part thereof, past the due date that they are submitted, unless there is a documented personal or family emergency or illness. Assignments that are sent to the instructor(s) via e-mail will not be accepted and the student will receive a “0” for that assignment.
3) Following Directions: In order to receive full credit for each assignment, they must be turned in on time and all sections completed. Detailed instructions for completion of these exercises will be provided on Blackboard.
Failure to follow directions for the assignment (excessive spelling or grammatical errors, etc.) may result in the loss of 5 points from the final grade for each occurrence.
4) Course grading depends heavily on the student's ability to convey his or her thoughts in writing. Papers that are poorly written and/or have errors in spelling or grammar will not effectively convey the student's ideas. Thus students who have difficulty with writing should seek help from a writing specialist and/or private tutor.
1. ASSIGNED READINGS
Assigned readings should be done before class to enhance students’ learning. The readings are important for completion of course assignments and class discussion.
2. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Homework assignments are designed to allow the student to demonstrate their understanding of the key concepts presented in class. Instructions for each homework assignment will be posted on Blackboard.
Although many assignments will not be given an individual grade, each assignment is due on the date specified. The Instructors will only make comments and provide feedback on assignments submitted on time. Therefore, it is beneficial to you to turn in all assignments on time. Students are not permitted to work in groups on homework assignments unless it is specifically stated in the instructions of the assignment. Each assignment is an individual assignment and students are expected to turn in their own original work. Plagiarism is a serious offense. If the course instructors feel that academic dishonesty may have occurred related to ANY grading event, the instructors will/may conduct an additional oral examination or other method of evaluation for the material covered. If plagiarized material is detected or it is found that the student has cheated on an assignment, the student may FAIL the course.
3. FINAL MANUAL OF PROCEDURES
You will submit a final manual of procedures for a study of your choosing. This manual will be something that you work on throughout the course. Your full Manual will be reviewed for completeness and quality, and will be returned to you with review comments. Specific details of this assignment will be provided on Blackboard. No late assignments will be accepted. Failure to turn in the manual on the designated date may result in an “F” (0 points credit) for that assignment.
4. STUDENT PRESENTATION
The presentation is intended to give students experience in preparing information for brief dissemination and an opportunity to share findings with others. The student’s presentation will be based on their project. Students will present the major elements from their project.
A maximum of 15 minutes is allowed for each presentation and questions. This breaks down into 12 minutes for presentation and 3 minutes for questions. Students should practice their presentation so that they can present it within the time allowed. As running over the allotted time reduces the time available for other students, points will be deducted for every minute that the presentation exceeds the 15 minute time limit.
These presentations should be clear, easy-to-follow and well-organized. Students should prepare PowerPoint slides or transparencies to use in their presentation. Students should also prepare a 1-2 page handout for everyone so information can be shared with all members of the class. Ten percent of the grade will be given for the presentation itself and 10% of the grade will be given for the handouts provided to the class.
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: DATE TOPIC(S)
Week 1 Introduction to Field Epidemiology & Overview of the National Children’s Study
Concept Paper, Objectives & operational objectives
Plan of Action; CBW Study = virtual field work
Week 2 Systems theory & information collection methods
Record systems: introduction and flow charts
Week 3 Three villages study: the final chapter
SmartDraw software demo
Records: Instrument design
Objectives & Concept Paper Due
Week 4 Records: Variables/wording /placement
Records: Data fields, variables, coding
Week 5 Records: Coding of data and documentation
Sampling: Sample sizes for common designs
Flowchart Due
Week 6 Sampling: Designs and operationalization
Questionnaires Due
Week 7 Managing Your Records: Putting the system together
Study Forms
Procedures, methods and quality control
Sampling Plan Due
Week 8 Managing Time: Time planning - The PERT Method
Study Forms Due
Week 9 Managing Money: Costs & Budgets
Week 10 Managing People: Human Resource Basics for Junior Investigators
Staff Training & Development
PERT Exercise Due
Week 11 SPRING BREAK
Week 12 Managing & Minimizing Risks: Human subjects considerations & ethics in research
Study Procedures Due
Week 13 Data entry & editing
In-class interviewing
Informed Consent Form(s) Due
Revised Questionnaire Due
Week 14 Analysis of epidemiological data
Logic of epidemiological data analysis
Study Budget Due
Week 15 TBA
Data Entry & Editing exercise due
Week 16 Report writing & wrap up
Final Manual of Procedures due at 2PM EST
Week 17 Student Presentations
- Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)
Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Students with an excused absence (documented severe personal or family illness, personal of family emergency (e.g., death, car accident, hospitalization, etc.) may make arrangements with the course instructor(s) to turn in the assignments at a later date. Without proper documentation students will not be permitted to make-up the assignment(s).
- Program This Course Supports: PhD in Public Health with a concetration in Epidemiology
- Course Concurrence Information: Other programs in offered in the College of Public Health (e.g., Global Health, Community & Family Health, etc.), College of Medicine, or College of Nursing.
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.