This interactive and team-oriented course will introduce students to common and uncommon data collection sources and methods used currently in epidemiological research. Existing medical, insurance, and vital records data sources will be discussed, along with traditional self, telephone, and in-person survey research methods. More novel approaches that include spatial data, internet-based surveys, social media, and spatial data linkages, will be covered as well. For all methods, issues associated with data quality control, availability, validity and reliability will be covered. Students will practice developing their own surveys in REDCap and will evaluate data collection methods published within the scientific literature. Students will also learn how to select the best data source for a specific research question, develop an appropriate data analysis plan using these data, and write up their methods in the style of a peer-reviewed manuscript or the entire data collection methods section of a NIH or similar grant proposal.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.