Development and Evaluation of a Research Methods Course in Protocol Writing for Learners in a Master of Public Health Program

Oct 15, 2026

Training in research methods supports improvements in healthcare delivery and population outcomes. Graduate public health programs educate both current professionals and entry-level learners, where students need practical research competencies. The study investigates whether teaching research methods through protocol writing is effective and valued by learners. It describes the design and evaluation of a protocol-focused research methods course for Master of Public Health students using a case report approach, including content, delivery, and evaluation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Course design and delivery

Evaluation approach and participants

Student satisfaction and outcomes

The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | Volume 13 | Issue 1 | Article 8 | | --- | --- | | Winter 02-15-2022
Development and Evaluation of a Research Methods Course in Protocol Writing for Learners in a Master of Public Health Program
Laura Anderson
McMaster University, [ln.anderson@mcmaster.ca](ln.anderson@mcmaster.ca)[ ](ln.anderson@mcmaster.ca)[Sarah E. Neil-Sztramko](Sarah E. Neil-Sztramko)
McMaster University, [neilszts@mcmaster.ca](neilszts@mcmaster.ca)[ ](neilszts@mcmaster.ca)Elizabeth Alvarez
McMaster University, [alvare@mcmaster.ca](alvare@mcmaster.ca)[ ](alvare@mcmaster.ca)Susan M. Jack
McMaster University, [jacksm@mcmaster.ca](jacksm@mcmaster.ca)[ ](jacksm@mcmaster.ca)Lehana Thabane
McMaster University, [thabanl@mcmaster.ca](thabanl@mcmaster.ca)[ ](thabanl@mcmaster.ca)Fran Scott
McMaster University, [fscott@mcmaster.ca](fscott@mcmaster.ca)[ ](fscott@mcmaster.ca)Emma Apatu
McMaster University, [apatue@mcmaster.ca](apatue@mcmaster.ca)
Follow this and additional works at: [https://www.cjsotl-rcacea.ca](https://www.cjsotl-rcacea.ca)
[https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2022.1.10670](https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2022.1.10670) | | Recommended Citation Anderson, L., Neil-Sztramko, S. E., Alvarez, E., Jack, S. M., Thabane, L., Scott, F., & Apatu, E. (2022) . Development and evaluation of a research methods course in protocol writing for learners in a Master of Public Health program. The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 13(1). [https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2022.1.10670](https://doi.org/10.5206/cjsotlrcacea.2022.1.10670) Development and Evaluation of a Research Methods Course in Protocol Writing for Learners in a Master of Public Health Program Abstract Training in research methods is important for improvement of healthcare delivery and population outcomes. Graduate programs of public health play a critical role in offering such education to current and future healthcare professionals as well as entry level learners with no experience in the field. A key skill across all fields of research methods and public health practice is protocol writing. It is unknown if teaching students research methods through protocol writing is a successful strategy and whether students find it to be helpful as they pursue health professions. The objective of this study was to describe the design and evaluation of a research methods course focused on protocol writing among students enrolled a Masters of Public Health Program. A case report design including description of course content, method of evaluation, and course delivery are provided. The setting was the Population and Public Health Research Methods course at a publicly funded institution in Canada. The first three cohorts of students (2016-2018) enrolled in the course were evaluated during the course period and six months after completing the course. A total of 51 students completed the survey, and the majority were students were very or extremely satisfied with the course. Overall students expressed that the course well-prepared them for their practicum or thesis work and post-graduation plans. Findings suggest that using protocol writing as a tool for teaching research methods was wellreceived by students and prepared them for both their potential career paths and for future research. La formation en méthodes de recherche est importante pour l’amélioration de la prestation des soins de santé et les résultats des populations. Les programmes d’études supérieures en santé publique jouent un rôle essentiel dans la prestation de cette éducation aux professionnels et professionnelles des soins de santé actuels et futurs ainsi qu’aux apprenants et aux apprenantes qui commencent leurs études et qui n’ont aucune expérience dans ce domaine. Une compétence essentielle dans tous les domaines des méthodes de recherche et dans la pratique des soins de santé publique est la rédactio

FAQs

What was the objective of the study?

To describe the design and evaluation of a research methods course focused on protocol writing for Master of Public Health students.

How was the course evaluated?

Using a case report design that describes course content and includes evaluation during the course period and six months after completion for the first three student cohorts (2016–2018).

What were the main outcomes reported by students?

Most survey respondents reported being very or extremely satisfied, and students indicated the course prepared them for practicum or thesis work and post-graduation plans.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Guten tag