| Title: |
Collecting and using data: Essentials of quantitative survey research (dates tbc)) |
| Keywords: |
statistics
research
international/global health
Quantitative methods
Measuring health status
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| Country: |
United Kingdom
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| Course coordinator: |
Dr Zelee Hill
|
| About duration and dates: |
2 days pre-reading, 3 weeks face-to-face, individual assignment to be submitted online. |
| Classification: |
advanced optional
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| Mode of delivery: |
Face to face
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Course location:
Institute for Global Health
30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH UK
tropEd representative: Catherine Ford
catherine.ford@ucl.ac.uk
www.ucl.ac.uk/igh |
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| ECTS credit points: |
6 ECTS credits
|
SIT:
150 study hours: (50 contact hours as lectures and seminars, 100 self-study hours including private reading, homework, and assignment)
Teaching takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays for 5.5 hours each day. For further information see: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/igh/study/masters/trop-ed-modules/collecting-using-data |
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| Language: |
English
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Description:
This module aims to ensure that students can think critically about all aspects of designing and applying a quantitative survey. At the end of the module students should be able to:
• Appraise and critically assess sampling strategies in complex and varied research contexts and formulate a data collection strategy in relation to a given scenario.
• Evaluate and select between different modes of data collection in relation to the objectives of the research and logistical practicalities.
• Critically discuss effective principles and approaches to measuring morbidity and mortality such as biomarkers, health screening and verbal autopsy.
• Design a robust and coherent quantitative questionnaire to maximize data quality.
• Design and enter, clean, manipulate and analyse data in STATA and draw valid conclusions from the results. |
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Assessment Procedures:
Individual written assignment 100% of assessed mark
Scenario based written exercise (2000 words) in which students apply what they have learnt in terms of evaluating and selecting sampling strategies and data collection methods and construct a questionnaire. (Individual)
Resits in case of failure: Students who complete assessments and fail (overall module mark < 50%), have the right to one re-sit of the failed assessment component/s during the summer term of the same academic year. Resit assessments are capped at the pass mark (50%). |
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Content:
• The steps in designing and conducting a quantitative survey.
• Types of sampling (probability, non-probability, simple random sampling, stratified sampling, multi-stage sampling).
• The design effect (sample size is reviewed)
• Defining sampling frames and operational procedures (enumeration, EPI method, segmentation method, demographic surveillance).
• Sampling hard to reach populations (time location sampling, respondent driven sampling).
• Key constructs in questionnaire design.
• Modes of data collection (face to face, self-administered questionnaire, audio-casi).
• Measuring morbidity and mortality (Health interview, Biomarkers, Verbal autopsies).
• Key constructs in database design
• Review of descriptive statistics and basic analysis. Theory and examples of linear and logistic regression analysis.
• Practical sessions on STATA: creating a data base, entering data, minimizing errors in data entry, advanced features of the data editor, coding and re-coding data, running commands and viewing outputs, working on a sub-set of the data, graphics. Conducting basic analytical tests. Simple and multi variable regressions are considered in a plenary session and then applied in STATA sessions.
• Packaging and presenting data for different audiences. |
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Methods:
A variety of learning methods will be used. The course starts with two days of background reading. After this each day (three days a week for three weeks) will be comprised of plenary sessions and practical sessions in the computer lab. All plenary sessions will be interactive and will be punctuated with discussion, group activities and individual exercises. Students will be encouraged to share their own experiences. Theoretical constructs will be complemented by ‘views from the field’ where experienced researchers share their real life experiences applying the theory. Sessions run for approximately three hours.
Practical computer lab sessions will focus on the use of STATA. The computer sessions will include summaries of statistical theories, demonstration and discussion but will mostly focus on students working independently with several staff members available to problem solve.
The individual short answer assignment is designed to consolidate learnings as well as covering new topics through self-learning.
Virtual learning environment: Moodle is used to enable students to access information about the course before and during the course. This will include core readings and PowerPoint slides etc. as well as useful links to relevant literature and an extensive reading list of optional material. |
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Prerequisites:
English language proficiency
IELTS Good level: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.
TOEFL iBT Good level: Overall score of 100, with 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 20/30 in the listening and speaking subtests.
For full details, see:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/learning-and-living-ucl/international-students/english-language-requirements |
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Attendance:
Up to 30 students including 3-5 places for visiting tropEd students. |
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Selection:
The number of available tropEd places on each module in the academic year is determined from mid-October. tropEd applicants wishing to secure a place on modules can apply before this period and be placed on a waiting list for the module. Places are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that applicants must pay the course fee in order to confirm an offer of a place on a module. Full course fee refunds will be provided to paid-up applicants if there are no places on the module(s) for which they applied, or if the module is cancelled. |
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Fees:
€972.33
This is a differential fee and includes a discount for tropEd students. |
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Student evaluation:
Students refer to the module as being enjoyable, relevant, providing useful skills, being comprehensive and informative. Some students comment that it was the best module they have taken. Students particularly like that the module includes theoretical and practical aspects, and found that the ‘views from the field’ help them understand the realities of data collection.
The students really value the STATA teaching as it allows hands on experience with data analysis. However, there is a common theme in feedback that students want more time to practice STATA and more tailored individual support. We now hold sessions in the third week where students can work on their STATA assignment and get support as appropriate. |
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Lessons learned:
Some students found the theory and STATA challenging, whilst others would have liked to go further and faster. Balancing the needs of students with different levels of skill and experience is important and we regularly check in with students and provide extra support to those who need it. We also provide optional reading for those who want to go into more depth. |
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tropEd accreditation:
Accredited in Copenhagen in September 2008. Re-accredited in 2009, 2014 and in February 2020 in Rabat GA meeting (EC TelCo) This accreditation is valid until March 2025. |
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Remarks:
Students should be aware that the coursework conducted in this module is not to be applied to other required components, such as the thesis/dissertation.
A selected reading list is available here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/igh/study/masters/trop-ed-modules/collecting-using-data |
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| Email Address: |
z.hill@ucl.ac.uk |
| Date Of Record Creation: |
2012-01-12 00:15:03 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Of Record Release: |
2012-01-12 06:28:53 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Record Checked: |
2017-09-12 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Last Modified: |
2022-03-02 23:35:23 (W3C-DTF) |
