Section outline

  • Overview

    In this second week of the module we discuss the concepts of ‘knowledge’ and ‘science’, and how these are produced through research by carrying out empirical observations and the creation of explanatory theories. This link between finding out about the subject of interest – creating evidence – and using such evidence to develop, or validate / disprove, an explanatory theory, is the key concept of this first session.

    The more philosophical concepts of epistemology (the science on how science is developed), ‘positivism’ and ‘interpretivism’ (whether there is such a thing as ‘true facts’ or just interpretations of reality) are explained and discussed. 

    We then go on to discuss the research process – what steps need to be in place to generate scientific research. This will usher a discussion on conceptual frameworks, research methodologies and methods to collect data / evidence. Plenty of examples are given in the session to illustrate these rather abstract but essential concepts of research, and a few activities are proposed to get you to put them into practice. For example, in the elaboration of a conceptual framework, or in a discussion of what are the so-called ‘alternative facts’ in our post-truth era.

    Learning outcomes

    By the end of the week, you will be able to:

    • Recognise the theoretical underpinnings of a piece of scientific research;
    • Design a conceptual framework explaining your understanding of global health issues to be researched;
    • Identify your research's aims, objectives and methods for data collection.


    • week 2 - opening the discussion

      Can research be bad for your health?

      Watch this video and discuss the wider consequences of conducting poor research in medical sciences. 


       

      week 2 - video lectureS

      Watch this video lecture on what is evidence, what research, and how to develop a theoretical framework for your dissertation. The first is about what is science, and how knowledge is produced.

      The second video lecture is on how you can join in your dissertation the theoretical and empirical aspects of research through conceptual frameworks.

      Reflect on the following:

      1. Why is it important for your research to have a theory-building part?
      2. Do you personally see reality from a positivist or an interpretivist point of view?

       

      week 2 - TASKS for webinar discussion

      Watch this video on what is know in public health as 'The Glasgow effect'.



      Have a go at identifying research questions and a conceptual framework for a piece of research on the Glasgow effect. Prepare to discuss framework and questions during the online webinar or on site seminar.

      Steps

      1. Imagine you want to research why people in Glasgow have a shorter life expectancy than people living in similar cities in Scotland or the rest of the UK (known as ‘the Glasgow effect’ – you can look it up);
      2. Identify a clear, relevant and answerable research question, with relative study aim and objectives;
      3. Elaborate a conceptual framework on the factors which shorten life expectancy in Glasgow;
      4. Ask yourself how you would research this topic, what literature you would have to cover, and what kind of methods you would need to answer your question;
      5. Write down possible research questions for this topic, and draw a framework explaining your theoretical approach and how you would go about researching the topic.

    • Week 2 OPENING THE DISCUSSION slides File
      Students must
      Mark as done

      These are the slides accompanying week 2 presentations for video lecture 1 and video lecture 2

      5.9 MB