Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course is an introduction to epidemiology, biostatistics, and social science research. Critical research skills such as study design and basic data analysis will be covered in this course.

Course Delivery: Online, teleconferencing
Course Material: Materials are found in the Canvas course
Course Textbook/Materials: Online and e-books (see below).

Course Organization

This course is organized into two learning modules, found in the course menu under the section “Modules.” Upon completion of the quizzes, you will submit a Course Evaluation Survey, and will receive the appropriate number of CME credit hours.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, the learner will be able to

1. Define epidemiology.
2. List at least three study designs that are commonly used in epidemiology and clinical research.
3. Define validity.
4. Compare and contrast quantitative research with qualitative research in regards to purpose and methodology.

Teleconference

The Fundamental Research Skills Course is available online and will contain teleconferencing events.

Module 1: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Module

Module Objectives

After completing this module, the learner will be able to

1. Define a proportion.
2. Define and contrast incidence proportion (risk) with incidence rate.
3. List the most common epidemiologic study designs, and their strengths and limitations.
4. Calculate and interpret common measures of association such as the odds ratio, risk ratio, and the rate ratio.
5. Distinguish between random error and systematic error.
6. Appreciate that chance, bias, and/or confounding, rather than truth, can be the explanation of a study result.
7. Use p values and confidence intervals to determine if a result is statistically significant.
8. Perform a stratified analysis; that is, use stratification to control for a confounder.
9. Define effect-measure modification (known as effect modification or interaction to some scientists).
10. Interpret parameter estimates from linear regression and logistic regression models.

Required Reading:

The following two textbooks are available as electronic books via the Texas Tech University Health
Sciences Center El Paso Library’s online catalog.

Designing Clinical Research Fourth Edition by Hulley et al. (published in 2013):

On campus link: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ttuhsc-elpaso/detail.action?docID=2031635

Off campus link: https://libraryaccess.elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ttuhsc-elpaso/detail.action?docID=2031635

Epidemiology: An Introduction (First edition by Rothman published in 2002):

On campus link: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ttuhsc-elpaso/detail.action?docID=5763673

Off campus link: https://libraryaccess.elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ttuhsc-elpaso/detail.action?docID=5763673

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Module Sessions/Topics

Topic	Title	Pre-session reading
1	Scientific inference and causation	Chapters 1, 2, and 9 in Hulley. Chapters 1 through 2 in Rothman. Journal article: Koch E, Otarola A, Kirschbaum A. A landmark for popperian epidemiology: refutation of the randomised Aldactone evaluation study. J Epidemiol Community Health 2005; 59(11):1000-6. PMID: 16234430. Free full text at: https://jech.bmj.com/content/59/11/1000.long
2	What is epidemiology?	Chapter 1 in Rothman.
3	Measures of disease frequency.	Chapter 3 in Rothman.
4	Cross-sectional studies.	Chapter 7 in Hulley. Chapter 4 (pp. 89-91) in Rothman.
5	Case-control studies.	Chapter 8 in Hulley. Chapter 4 in Rothman.
6	Cohort studies.	Chapter 7 in Hulley. Chapter 4 in Rothman.
7	Clinical trials.	Chapter 10 in Hulley. Chapter 11 in Rothman.
8	Bias.	Chapter 5 in Rothman.
9	p-values and confidence intervals.	Chapter 6 in Hulley. Chapters 6 and 7 in Rothman.
10	Confounding and effect modification.	Chapter 8 in Rothman.
11	Linear regression and logistic regression.	Chapter 10 in Rothman.
12	Journal club: critiquing an article.
13	Using large health datasets.	Chapter 13 in Hulley.
14	Demystifying sample size calculations.	Chapter 6 in Hulley.

Module 2: Social Science Research Module

Module Objectives

After completing this module, the learner will be able to

List the stages to answering a question.
Outline characteristics of good survey questions.
List some ways of evaluating questions.
Identify the unit of analysis in a survey.
Define validity.
Define face, construct, criterion, discriminant, discrimination, convergent, and predictive validity.
Outline and describe the steps in scale development.
Explain how homogeneity of items are assessed.
Indicate the desired range for a Cronbach’s alpha and what can artificially increase its value.
Identify the difference between a factor analysis and a principal component analysis.
Outline the steps in performing a principal component analysis.
Define implicit theory of change and response shift.
Assess change, outline the difference among power, responsiveness, and sensitivity to change.
List some potential sources of bias in surveys.
Explain the importance of the non-response rate.
State the purpose of qualitative research.
Compare and contrast qualitative research with quantitative research.
Give examples of research questions that are best suited to be answered using qualitative research methods.
List the main components of qualitative methods.
List three disadvantages of repeated-measures analysis of variance.
Recommend a modern method for the analysis of repeated binary outcomes when the desire is to estimate population-averaged effects.
Recommend a modern method for the analysis of repeated binary outcomes when the desire is to estimate subject-specific effects.

Social Science Research Module Sessions/Topics

Topic	Title	Pre-session reading
1	Survey methodologies.
2	Qualitative research.
3	Longitudinal data analysis.	Read this open-access article entitled Repeated Measures Designs and Analysis of Longitudinal Data: If at First You Do Not Succeed—Try, Try Again, by Schober and Vetter in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia (the PMID is 29905618): https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/2018/08000/repeated_measures_designs_and_analysis_of.41.aspx

Technical Requirements

o Internet access - preferably high speed (for accessing Canvas)
o TTUHSC El Paso e-mail
o Microsoft Office (download from TTUHSC El Paso eRaider)
o WebEx (download from TTUHSC El Paso eRaider)
o Adobe Reader (download from Adobe.com)
o Flash Player (download from Adobe Flash Player)
o Audio and video playing capabilities (for watching/listening to course content)
o Web camera and microphone (for synchronous virtual meetings)
o PDF app (scanning of hand written documentation for graded assignments)

Technical Skill Requirements

o Using a word processor
o Using email for communication, attaching documents in email
o Internet search engines and browsers
o Familiarity with Canvas

Assignments and Grading

• For each module in the course, you will complete a Self-Check Quiz. You must score 80% on each quiz. You will have three attempts for each quiz.
• You will create a protocol for a research/scholarly project that is suitable for submission to the Institutional Review Board. This protocol must be submitted to the Office of Faculty Development by 04/01/2022. Detailed instructions can be found in the section entitled Research/Scholarly Project Proposal in the Institutional Faculty Development Program 20 Syllabus.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism

TTUHSC EP Institutional Student Handbook: Code of Professional and Academic Conduct 2020-2021
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/studentservices/_documents/Institutional-Handbook-2020-2021.pdf; pages 17-20.
“Academic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the learner (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit such an act. If a learner is involved in any form of academic misconduct and is proven that the action took place, the instructor may initiate a disciplinary action.

Special Needs: TTUHSC EP HSCEP OP: 77.14, Students with Disabilities

https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/opp/_documents/77/op7714.pdf also HSCEP OP: Online and Distance Education https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/opp/_documents/59/op5902.pdf

Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. TTUHSC EP Office of Academic and Disability Support Services, Hector Noriega, MA, Assistant Director for Academic and Disability Support Services, hector.noriega@ttuhsc.edu, 915-215-6018.

Religious Observances: TTUHSC EP HSCEP OP: 77.12, Religious Holy Day Observance and Need for Student Absence

https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/opp/_documents/77/op7712.pdf
"Religious holy day" means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code §11.20.A learner who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A learner who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.

Instructor’s Expectations

You will be expected to log into the Canvas course regularly to be aware of possible announcements/reminders and to pace your progress in the course. Course participants are expected to maintain an online environment conducive to learning, which includes “netiquette” (Internet etiquette). The following site includes basic rules for Online Discussion Netiquette. Ensure that your e-mail messages, discussion board postings, and other electronic communications are thoughtful. Diverse opinions we welcome in this course. The following are prohibited:

o making offensive remarks in e-mail or the discussion board
o using inappropriate language or discussing inappropriate topics online
o spamming
o hacking,
o using TTUHSC El Paso or Canvas e-mail or discussion board for commercial purposes
o using all caps (considered shouting in online communications)
o cyber-bullying or online harassment of any type

Disclosure

This syllabus is intended to give the participant guidance in what is covered during the Institutional Faculty Development Program 19 and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the Office of Faculty Development reserves the right to modify, supplement and make changes as the program needs arise or change.

Communication Plan

• You may expect a reply from the instructor within two business days.
• Please use the Canvas course message tool or the TTUHSC El Paso email system for all communication.

Technical Difficulties

1) Online Help
2) Computer problems
3) Server problems
4) Lost/corrupt/disappeared files

Technical Support

• TTUHSC EP Canvas/IT support
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/som/curriculum/itresources.aspx
• Contact Help Desk
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/elpaso/it/institutional-technology-services/computer-support-services/contact.aspx
• Hours and Contact Info
https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/elpaso/it/institutional-technology-services/computer-support-services/contact.aspx

Telephone

Call 915-215-4111

Option 1: Helpdesk
Option 2: Classroom Technology
Option 3: EMR

E-mail

Submit your question to elp.helpdesk@ttuhsc.edu
Provide as much detail as possible.

Walk-in

CSB Basement, Rm B-08A
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
MEB 2nd floor, Rm 2160
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contact Information for the Course Director

Instructor: Zuber D. Mulla, PhD, CPH, FACE
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Assistant Academic Dean, Office of Faculty Development

Office: 5001 El Paso Dr., MEB, 3rd Floor, El Paso 79905
Office Phone: (915) 215-5075
E-mail: ElPasoFacultyDevelopment@ttuhsc.edu and/or
zuber.mulla@ttuhsc.edu
Office hours: By appointment.

Support

Name/Family Name

E-mail

eLearning Innovation Team

(Lead Analysts)

Raul Alvarez Lopez, BS

Marco A. Rodriguez, MS, MEd

raul.alvarez@ttuhsc.edu

marcoa.rodgriguez@ttuhsc.edu

Administrative Support

Consuelo Rosales, BS

consuelo.rosales@ttuhsc.edu