Health Services Research Designs and Methodologies

Health Services refer to private or public entities which provide, organise, and finance services that maintain and enhance the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of individuals and the community. Health Services Research (HSR) is an applied multidisciplinary field which examines how care is assessed, how much care costs, and what happens to those who receive this care. This module will cover key research areas in HSR and the research designs used to evaluate organisational structures and processes, health technologies, social and personal factors impacting on health, financial considerations, and health interventions. It will review the literature on healthcare and social care, and examine a range of research methodologies and designs used in HSR. By the end of the module, the student will gain an understanding of the scope, nature and methods used in HSR, and learn to develop rigorous research through sound methodology and design.