Learning by Doing: Description and Assessment of an Experiential Undergraduate Public Health Research Methods Course Curriculum

Abstract

Students have overwhelmingly negative perceptions about research methods courses and these attitudes may influence students’ learning outcomes. Yet research methods education is crucial for undergraduate public health students’ professional and personal development and there is a lack of information available regarding effective curricular models. This paper therefore describes SPH-H494: Research and Evaluation Methods in Public Health, a required undergraduate semester-long academic course with a student-centered, experiential, and collaborative approach. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, the course takes students through the research process step-by-step. Students apply their newfound knowledge and skills through the primary course project—conducting a primary research study in a research team on a topic of public health significance and shared interest. The course approach and content are comprehensively described. Based on an anonymous post-course survey with closed- and open-ended questions administered in Fall 2023, students had positive feedback about the course; the vast majority reported they were satisfied with their course experience and that the course benefited their public health knowledge, skillset, and current/future public health practice. Students found conducting their own research study in a research team, the scaffolded nature of the assignments and course approach, and interactive class activities most helpful in understanding course concepts. Student feedback provides preliminary evidence of the utility of the course model. Lessons learned and recommendations for course implementation and future research are provided.