550.865.81 PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVES ON RESEARCH

Introduces the substantive and methodologic bases for public health research, emphasizing the critical roles of the quantitative, qualitative, biologic, social, and behavioral sciences in improvement of public health. Highlights principles of high-quality research, including the value of a population perspective, interdisciplinary cooperation, the importance of new measurement techniques, and the interface between theory and practice. Gives students information about the interactions between the public and the researcher.

1. Identify scientific methods used in public health practice and research. 2. Apply these methods in formulating effective strategies for promoting health and preventing disease and disability in a population over the lifespan. 3. Describe the interface between science and policy. 4. Define the breadth of public health research and practice. 5. Assess how discipline-based specialization contributes to achieving the goals of public health, 6. Create an interdisciplinary cohort of graduate students who are mutually supportive of each other’s educational programs. 7. Explain the following about public health research: That a population perspective on health is fundamental; That the interface between scientific theory and application is fertile ground for public health research; That the quality of research depends critically upon one’s ability to measure or observe accurately, and breakthroughs often result from new methods of measurement; That productive public health research most often is interdisciplinary and takes advantage of cross-fertilization of ideas; That scientists must be knowledgeable about the ethical implications of their research, committed to the conduct of ethical research, and contribute to the formulation of ethical standards; That public health practitioners and scientists must be cognizant of the social context of their work.