AHLT 4806 - Research Methods
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 40653,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
John Komara
Email: jjkomara01@ysu.edu
Course Description
4806. Research Methods. Measurement and interpretation of health data and their application in the research process. Research design considerations, data collection methods, and data analysis of health care research projects. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Conducting Research (2nd Edition) | Lawrence T. Orcher | 978-1936523191 |
This textbook seeks to prepare students to conduct an empirical research study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The content emphasis truly on providing a practical knowledge base regarding how to conduct a research project. Each chapter guides students through each step of the structured research process, from selecting a research topic and study participants to analyzing data and presenting research findings. The primary focus is on providing practical guidance for successfully executing a research proposal or project.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
Log in to view more
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19 | Orcher Text Chapter #1: Selecting Tentative Topics for Empirical Research Text Chapter #2: Locating Literature and Refining a Research Topic Text Chapter #3: Preparing a Literature Review Text Chapter #4: Citing References in APA and ASA Styles Video #1: APA Reference Formatting Video #2: Selecting a Research Design 1979 Belmont Report Instructor micro-lecture: Ethical Principles in Research |
Ethical Principles and Concepts in Research Literature Reviews for Research: Critique and Analysis APA Reference Formatting |
Completion of the CITI Human Research Training Program Modules Review designated instructor micro-lecture notes and topic related video presentations Written Assignment: The Belmont Report Discussion Forum: Role of the FDA |
| 10/26 | Text Chapter #5: Writing Research Hypothesis, Hypotheses, Purposes and Questions Text Chapter# 6: Selecting a Research Approach Instructor micro-lecture #1: How to Conduct a Literature Search For a Meta-analysis Instructor micro-lecture #2: Writing Research Hypotheses, Purposes & Questions Instructor micro-lecture #3: Research Designs and Methodology Video Presentation #1: Introduction to Meta-analysis |
Research Hypotheses, Purpose Statements, and Research Questions Research Designs and Methodology Introduction to Meta-analysis research designs |
Written Assignment #1: Meta-analysis: Topic Selection and Background Rationale Written Assignment #2: “Research Hypotheses, Null Hypothesis, Purpose Statement and Study Variables (independent and dependent) Review designated instructor micro-lecture notes and video presentations Discussion Forum: Common Research Designs and Methodology Exam #1: Chapter #1-Chapter #5 and the Belmont Report |
| 11/2 | Text Chapter #7: Looking Ahead to Participant Selection Text Chapter #8: Looking Ahead to Measurement Text Chapter #9: Looking Ahead to Data Analysis for Quantitative Research Instructor micro-lecture #1: Validity, Reliability and Credibility in Research Instructor micro-lecture #2: Sampling Procedures Video Presentation #1: Bias, Reliability, Validity and Credibility Video Presentation #2: Sampling Strategies |
Validity, Reliability and Credibility in Research Sampling Strategies and Procedures Participant Selection in Research |
Review designated instructor micro-lecture notes and video presentations Discussion Forum #1: Validity, Reliability and Credibility in Research Discussion Forum #2-Sampling Techniques in Research |
| 11/9 | Text Chapter #10: Looking Ahead to Data Analysis for Qualitative Research Chapter #11: Preparing a Preliminary Research Proposal Instructor micro-lecture #1: Preparing a Preliminary Research Proposal Instructor micro-lecture #2: Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis Instructor micro-lecture #3: Research Proposal Methodologies Video Presentation #1: How to Critique a Research |
Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis Research Proposal Cocepts and Methodologies Preparing a Preliminary Research Proposal |
Discussion Forum: Introduction to Data Analysis in Qualitative Research Review designated instructor micro-lecture notes and video presentations PowerPoint Slide Presentation: Qualitative Research Designs Exam #2: Chapter's #6, #7, #8, #9 and #10 |
| 11/16 | Text Chapter #12: Participant Selection in Quantitative Research Text Chapter #13: Participant Selection in Qualitative Research Text Chapter #14: Measurement in Quantitative Research Instructor micro-lecture #1: Participant Selection in Quantitative and Qualitative Research Instructor micro-lecture #2: Sampling Techniques and Participant Selection in Quantitative Research Instructor micro-lecture#3: Understanding the Measurement of P-Values in Research Video Presentation #1: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Video #2: P-values Explained |
Participant Selection in Quantitative Research Participant Selection in Qualitative Research Sampling Techniques and Participant Selection in Quantitative Research Measurement of P-Values in Research |
Review designated instructor micro-lecture notes and video presentations Written Assignment: Sampling Methods Discussion Forum: Statistical Versus Clinical Significance |
| 11/23 | Text Chapter #15: Writing Objective Measures Text Chapter #16: Measurement in Qualitative Research Text Chapter#17: Descriptive Statistics for Quantitative and Qualitative Research Instructor micro-lecture #1: Developing Clear and Concise Research Objectives and Research Designs Video Presentation #1: Sampling Methods: Simple Random, Stratified, Cluster, Systematic, Self Selection, and Convenience Video Presentation #2: Writing Clear and Concise Research Objectives |
Descriptive Statistics for Quantitative and Qualitative Research Developing Objective Measures and Outcomes Sampling Methods: Simple Random, Stratified, Cluster, Systematic, Self Selection, and Convenience |
Review designated instructor micro-lecture notes and video presentations Written Assignment #1: Descriptive Statistics in Both Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs Written Assignment #2: “Meta-Analysis Final Paper.” Exam #3: Chapters #11, #12, #13, and Chapter #14 Discussion Forum: Understanding Valid Research Objectives and Measures |
| 11/30 | Chapter #18: Correlational Statistics for Quantitative Research Chapter #19: Inferential Statistics for Quantitative Research Chapter #20: A Closer Look at Data Analysis in Qualitative Research Instructor micro-lecture #1: The Use of Correlation Analysis in Research Video #1: Correlation Analysis Video #2: Quantitative Data Analysis Video #3: Inferential Statistics |
Inferential Statistics for Quantitative Research Correlational Statistics for Quantitative Research Quantitative Data Analysis |
RevInstructor micro-lecture notes and video presentations Discussion Forum: Data Analysis in Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs using Correlational and Inferential Statistics Written Assignment: Correlational and Inferential Statistics in Quantitative Research Exam #4: Chapter’s #16, #17, #19, and Chapter #20 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.