Quantitative design and analysis in health science with focus on quasi-experimental research (DHV220)

The main aim of the course "Quantitative design and analysis in health science with focus on quasi-experimental research", is to introduce the candidate to alternative experimental research methods when a strict controlled experiment is not possible. The course covers design of cluster randomized, non-randomized and natural experiments and the statistical analysis of such experiments.

Introduction The main goal of experimental research is to test hypotheses. In medical research, the gold standard is the randomized controlled trial: The only design where causality can truly be established. However, in many instances, such designs are impossible to implement, be it for practical, ethical or other reasons. In this course, alternative designs will be demonstrated, and statistical analytical approaches to these designs will be discussed. The main focus will be on quasi-experiments, where individual randomization is not possible, but where one must study cluster randomized groups, non-randomized as well as natural experiments. The course aims to enable PhD candidates to identify possible solutions to their own research questions, and to better understand threats to internal and external validity in published quasi-experimental research.


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

DHV220

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

  1. The theory of science as related to experimental and quasi-experimental design

    • The concept of causality

    • Validity: Internal, external, construct and statistical conclusions

  2. Quasi-experimental designs and analysis

    • Nonequivalent control groups design

    • No-treatment control group designs

      • nonequivalent dependent variables designs

      • removed treatment group designs

      • repeated treatment designs

      • reversed treatment nonequivalent control groups designs

      • cohort designs

      • post-test only designs

      • regression continuity designs

    • Regression discontinuity design

  3. Statistical analysis of quasi-experimental data.

  4. Unacceptable or very problematic research designs: Learning to spot bad design and analyses.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

Knowledge

  • Understand the concept of causation as related to methodology and statistical analysis: when it can be achieved and when it cannot.

  • Understand and describe the different forms of validity, such as internal and external validity, and construct- and statistical conclusion validity

  • Distinguish between the different forms of experimentation and understand their advantages and disadvantages

  • Know the most common and relevant quasi-experimental designs and their associated statistical analyses.

  • Know issues related to statistical power and effect sizes

Understand the role of quasi experimental research in a broad health-science research context.

Skills

  • Design quasi-experiments that are applicable to the candidates own work

  • Analyze data from quasi-experiments

Be able to review and critique published, proposed or submitted quasi-experimental research.

General Competence:

  • Hands on training in designing quasi-experimental research, and associated statistical analyses.

  • Increased insight in the theory of science as related to different forms of research methodology when the research aim is to test hypotheses and establish causality.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Master degree within health sciences, medicine, social sciences, humanities and other relevant educations.

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Individual paper 1/1 Passed / Not Passed

An individual paper of 5000 words (+/- 10%) in English.

Course teacher(s)

Course teacher:

Jo Røislien

Course coordinator:

Aleksander Hagen Erga

Course teacher:

Petter Viksveen

Course teacher:

Tore Tjora

Study Adviser:

Knut Sommerseth Lie

Method of work

The subject is comprised of own studies, lectures and seminars in journal club format.
Lectures (all lectures will be held in person at UiS): The teaching and learning style is interactive, using presentations and discussions. The seminars will be concentrated at the beginning of the semester.
Journal Club: Three Journal Club meetings during the semester. The date of these will be coordinated with the candidates. Journal clubs will be held over TEAMS.

If the course has less than five registered students, the course will be arranged as self-studies, only.

Open for

PhD candidates enrolled in PhD programmes at the University of Stavanger (Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences) or accredited universities/university colleges in Norway or abroad.

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester. In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto