Research Methods in Global Health

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/AM_1175

Course Objective

This is an exclusive course offered only for the first-year students of the Research Master Global Health. 1. Learning objectives for the theoretical component (as covered through lectures and Master Classes): At the end of the course, students are able to:describe the relationships between diverse global health problems (well-structured versus complex problems);understand the main causes of the burden of disease in high-income and low
- and middle-income countries;describe border-crossing health problems from the perspective of different disciplines (biomedical sciences, epidemiology, health sciences, health economics, anthropology);understand the indicators and describe the main issues in sub-fields such as maternal health, migrant health and mental ill health;understand cross-cultural aspects of health and health research.2. Learning objectives for the research component (as covered through lectures, workshops and assignment): At the end of the course, students are able to:describe the advantages and limitations of various research approaches (monodisciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary);describe theory creation in transdisciplinary research (epistemology and methodology, including criteria for scientific quality);describe basic methods and techniques (epidemiology, statistics, scoping literature review, observation, interviews, surveys/questionnaires, focus group discussions) and methods (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods) for analysing complex health problems;design an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary needs assessment in relation to a global health problem;prove good academic writing skills by writing a scientific report;communicate a scientific message to an academic audience;work as a valued team member in a project team;provide and receive feedback from peers and supervisors.

Course Content

This course highlights the increasing complexity of health problems in a global context, and builds the case for using multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches as a way to offer valuable insights into complex health problems and to create a broad acceptance of solutions among stakeholders. The course consists of complementary theoretical and research components. The theoretical component of the course consists of lectures and Master Classes. During the lectures, students become acquainted with current topics in global health, which are placed in a historical perspective. During the Master Classes, experts from several fields of global health illustrate the complexity of the disease burden in a global context, and build the case for multi-, inter
- and transdisciplinary analysis of complex problems. Master Classes typically consist of two sessions. The first session is organized as a lecture, in which the topic is approached from inter
- and transdisciplinary perspectives. The second session is organized as a supervised workgroup, in which students discuss the most recent developments as published in the literature, and thus become familiar with the different paradigms and models used in global health. The research component of the course consists of lectures, workshops and group Problem Analysis assignment (Assignment I), as well as reflection on global health topic of your choice and your growing competences as a Global Health researcher (Assignment II). During the lectures and workshops, students acquire basic knowledge and skills on research design, different research paradigms, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the combination thereof (including activities such as participating in a focus discussion group and reflecting on their experience, and using mixed-methods approaches). For the Problem Analysis assignment, students design a research proposal to address a specific, real-world global health issue provided by a commissioning partner (agency, NGO or academic researcher). The design of the proposal is based on a literature review and interviews with relevant stakeholders (for example, an NGO representative and academic). The assignment is conducted in groups. Each group receives feedback from coaches on different versions of their draft reports during the supervised working group sessions, and each group provides feedback to another group in one peer review round. Additional feedback will be received when findings are presented. This course incorporates the first stages of two tracks that will then continue on through subsequent courses: quantitative research training led by staff from course partner AIGHD/AUMC, and a personal and professional development track focused on development of skills, aptitudes and attitudes required to work effectively in a multicultural research world. Quantitative research skills are assessed with an Exam, which takes place during the subsequent course (Global Health Interventions).

Teaching Methods

Lectures and workshops (~70 hrs)Workgroups (assignment and portfolio) (~50 hrs)Self-study (~80 hrs)

Method of Assessment

Assignment 1 (group project): Problem Analysis Statement
- written report: pass/fail Assignment 2 (45%): Reflective essay on a chosen global health topic, to include two possible research approaches and the rationales behind choosing them, and reflection on the student researcher's own positionality: numerical grade Note: in preparation for Assignment 2, students hand in two reflections on lectures or Masters Classes, in Week 2 and Week 3. Oral presentation/pitch of Problem Analysis Statement (15%): numerical grade
- Quantitative research methods exam (40%): numerical grade *
- A pass (5.5) or Pass in case of pass/fail elements is required for each of these assessments to pass the course.
- The oral presentation/pitch of the PAS occurs in early October, as it informs the connected next group project in the next course. *
- The quantitative research methods exam for this course reflects the content of a quantitative research track that runs across the first two courses of the MSc Global Health, and therefore occurs in October.

Literature

Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D. (2013) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage.Gray, D.E. (2013). Doing Research in the Real World. London: Sage.Diez, D. et al. (2014) Introductory Statistics with Randomization and Simulation
- First Edition.Free PDF available through www.openintro.orgSelected articles relevant to the course are provided or listed via Canvas.

Target Audience

Exclusively for first-year students in the Research Master Global Health (not open for other Masters students)

Additional Information

Compulsory course for MSc Global Health (Research)

Recommended background knowledge

Basic understanding of statistics and epidemiology is an admissions requirement for MSc Global Health (Research), but can be compensated for by completing (online) courses before starting programme.

Explanation Canvas

Canvas is used to provide an expanded study guide, readings and additional information.