Course Syllabus

Welcome to PUBH 391 - Research Methods

---Note: This course code has changed from HS 391 to PUBH 391. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

We are excited to have you here and hope you enjoy your time as you expand and apply new knowledge from this important course.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to scientific writing, assessment instruments, data collection, research design, and statistical analysis. This will help prepare students to take the CHES exam. Students will be able to define plagiarism and recognize when it is present in their own writing and in the writing of others. They will also be able to propose, design and conduct a small research project, work collaboratively and effectively with other people to meet a common goal, and present their research findings through written and oral communication. Students will understand their relationship between scientific and spiritual inquiry, the strengths and limitations of each, and the role of each in the pursuit of truth.

Course Outcomes

After successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Design a research project on a health-related topic
  • Develop an academic literature review for a research project
  • Collect and analyze data for a research project
  • Construct a scientific research paper using APA
  • Create a scientific poster displaying research findings
  • Present research findings in a written and oral format
  • Discover the professional and spiritual applications of scientific inquiry

Most of these outcomes will be met using one research topic and question that you will use for the entire semester.

Learning Model Architecture

Prepare

As you complete preparation activities, learn and prepare to teach others. Prepare activities include readings, videos, and opportunities to practice the skills you are learning.

Teach One Another

Teaching your classmates gives you, a prepared student, the opportunity to act for yourself and to develop a deeper understanding of the course materials. You will be required to work with others as you:

  • Complete the group data collection assignments
  • Review and provide your peers with feedback on their writing. This work must be completed on time. Not providing feedback will result in a zero on the assignment.

Additionally, look for informal means of teaching and helping one another as you interact with your classmates.

Ponder/Prove

You will extend and solidify your learning by pondering and proving new knowledge. Your Ponder and Prove activities are found in the Application Journal and in your final written assignments. Final written assignments will be written individually.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course

Course Materials

Reading materials are provided in the modules of the course. There is no one specific textbook for this course.

Technology Requirements

You should also have a webcam and microphone in order to participate in your instructor's Office Hour and to complete your group presentation. Access to Zoom, a webcam and microphone are also required for you to participate in the Poster Session in week 13.

You will also use Microsoft Office products in this course. All written assignments must be submitted in a .docx (Microsoft Word) file format. If you do not yet have the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) on your computer, you may use this free download for BYU-Idaho students to obtain the software.

Additionally, this course requires that you utilize Ref-Works, Write-n-cite, and JASP. Instructions are provided within the course on how to access and use these applications.

How To Navigate This Course

Begin each week by reading the instructor announcements and week introduction to quickly learn important information about the week. Next, schedule meeting with your group if they are needed, view the case study material, and write an application journal entry. Take notes as you study the material in the Prepare activities. Review your notes and refer to the week's material, if you have any questions. It is highly recommended that you complete the case study, journal and preparation activities early in the week.

The second half of each week focuses on applying new knowledge by completing the week’s assignments. It is highly recommended that you meet with your group during the second half of the week to complete the assignment and then submit your work.

There are three activities (literature review, data collection, and experimental research report) that will span multiple weeks. It is recommended that you set aside time each week to work on these assignments. They cannot successfully be completed in one week’s time.

Note: Each module opens two weeks prior to the week it is assigned. If you complete the current week early and would like to get started on next week's assignments, you may do so.

Assignments

Assignments are typically due on Saturday. There are some exceptions to this pattern however, so you should use the calendar feature in Canvas and read all announcements. Students are responsible for submitting their work on time.

Survey Group Work

In Week 01, you will select two periods of time where you can meet and work with your groups. Based on this information, your instructor will place you into a group of 3-5 people. These groups will be announced at the beginning of Week 02. It is expected that you will meet synchronously with your group in Weeks 02, 05, 06, and 07 and work together to collect data through Week 10. Groups can meet using Zoom or another video-conferencing application.

You are probably quite familiar with the Teach One Another process step of the Learning Model, but did you know that one of the five principles behind the Learning Model is to love, serve, and teach one another? To learn more about this aspect of the Learning Model, visit their webpage and explore the available information. You will complete your research and most of your course activities with your group beginning in Week 02. 

Each student will be held accountable the way they contribute to their group and for their individual portion of work put forth toward group assignments. You can contact your instructor at any time during the semester for assistance with any group work questions or concerns.

Peer-Review Group s

Nearly 15% of the points in this class rewarded for reviewing and providing feedback on your peer's written work. These assignments are called peer-reviews. To facilitate each review, you will be organized into groups of three in a discussion board. You are required to post your own work by a specified due date and then review and provide feedback on the submission made by your peers. Your feedback must be provided by the second due date.

Late Work

You are preparing for a career as a health professional. Submitting work after the deadline has passed is not a professional practice; therefore, late work will not be accepted in this course.

Grading

Click on the "Grades" tab at the left of your screen within the course to see a detailed list of course work. Your grade is calculated according to the number of points you earn in each week. Be aware that there are 1725 point available in this course.

Your final letter grade will be assigned according to the percentage of points earned. Your grade will not be rounded up. You have all semester to earn your grade; therefore, do not email your instructor at the end of the semester asking to round up your grade.

Letter Grade Percentage Range
A 93%+
A- 92.99% – 90%
B+ 89.99% – 87%
B 86.99% – 83%
B- 82.99% – 80%
C+ 79.99% – 77%
C 76.99% – 73%
C- 72.99% – 70%
D+ 69.99% – 67%
D 66.99% – 63%
D- 62.99% – 60%
F below 60%

PUBH 391 is a 3-credit course and BYU-Idaho recommends scheduling 3-4 hours per week for each credit. Therefore, the course was designed for an average student to spend 9-12 hours each week to successfully complete the course work. Please arrange your schedule and reserve ample time for your studies. It is also expected that you will complete your work in a timely manner and put forth your best effort.

Expectations

You can expect that your instructor will respond to your email within 24 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays. You can also expect that your instructor will grade your submitted work within 7 calendar days of the assignment due date. If you ever have a question about your grade or would like additional feedback, simply contact your instructor for assistance.

Additional Information

Honor Code

Following the Honor Code is of great importance as you strive to be a disciple of Christ. Academic honesty and integrity is expected of all BYU-I students. To copy another's work from the Internet, a book, or from any other source and claiming it to be your own work, is plagiarism. Read the official definitions of plagiarism and cheating from the Academic Honesty portion of the Honor Code. Each case of plagiarism or cheating will be dealt with by the instructor. When working on a group project, you have the responsibility to assure that others in the group do not plagiarize. Any academic dishonesty issue will be referred to the BYU-I Dean of Students, if necessary. Even though you are taking this course online, BYU-Idaho's Dress and Grooming standards still apply. By adhering to the Honor Code you will create a learning environment, "consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." ( Honor Code webpage)

Tutoring

Tutoring options for online students are available through the Academic Support Centers. There are tutors available to help you with your writing questions and there might be course-specific tutoring available. Check the Academic Support Centers for more details.

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

  • Student Honor
    • Academic Honesty
    • Student Conduct
      • Sexual Harassment
  • Student with Disabilities
  • Complaints and Grievances
  • Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Disclaimer

This syllabus and the course schedule may be changed at any time prior to or during the semester as the need arises based upon circumstances. Any changes will be available to view on the course documents.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due