Free 8-Module Course
Research & Theory in Healthcare8 modules. 168 lessons. From paradigms to a defensible research plan.
A self-paced course on research methodology for healthcare and public-health practice. Module 1 grounds you in paradigms and foundations. Module 2 covers ethics, literature, and research questions. Modules 3 and 4 cover quantitative and qualitative methods. Module 5 turns to mixed methods. Module 6 builds communication and visualization skills. Module 7 addresses values, trust, and research integrity. Module 8 is a capstone: writing up your own research plan.
Course outline
168 lessons across 8 modules · ~22 hours total · click any lesson to start
Module 1: Foundations & Paradigms
- Lesson 1
Master Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare
- Lesson 2
What is Research & Why Does It Matter? Healthcare Research Fundamentals
- Lesson 3
Research Paradigms & The Positivist Approach
- Lesson 4
Interpretivist & Pragmatic Research Paradigms
- Lesson 5
Evidence Hierarchies in Healthcare
- Lesson 6
Essential Research Terminology
- Lesson 7
The Role of Theory in Healthcare Research
- Lesson 8
Types of Theories in Healthcare Research
- Lesson 9
Key Public Health Theories
- Lesson 10
Philosophical Foundations of Research
- Lesson 11
Research Reasoning
- Lesson 12
Week 1 Self-Reflective Assignment: Connect Research Theory to Practice
- Lesson 13
Your Self-Reflective Assignment: Research Philosophy & Theory-Practice
- Lesson 14
Week 1 Summary: Research Foundations & What's Coming in Week 2
Module 2: Ethics, Literature & Research Questions
- Lesson 15
Research Ethics Foundations: Protecting Participants & Integrity
- Lesson 16
The Belmont Report: Respect, Beneficence & Justice in Research Ethics
- Lesson 17
Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Ethical Design & IRB Guidelines
- Lesson 18
What is an IRB? Institutional Review Board Process Explained
- Lesson 19
CITI Training Certification: What It Is and Why You Need It
- Lesson 20
What Students Need to Know About Public Health Ethics
- Lesson 21
Academic Writing: Literature Reviews Explained
- Lesson 22
Narrative vs Systematic Literature Reviews
- Lesson 23
Meta-Analyses & Integrative Reviews for Students
- Lesson 24
Evaluating Literature Review Quality
- Lesson 25
Evidence-Based Guidelines vs. Literature Reviews
- Lesson 26
PICO and SPIDER Frameworks: How to Write Research Questions
- Lesson 27
Refining Research Questions with FINER & Theory
- Lesson 28
Week 2 Self-Reflective Assignment
- Lesson 29
Writing Prompt Details for Self-Reflective Assignment
- Lesson 30
Week 2 Summary & Research Ethics Recap
Module 3: Quantitative Research
- Lesson 31
Introduction to Quantitative Research
- Lesson 32
Quantitative Research Foundations | Positivist & Post-Positivist Views
- Lesson 33
Research Methods Module 3.3
- Lesson 34
Advanced Experimental Designs in Healthcare Research
- Lesson 35
Understanding Quasi-Experimental Designs in Healthcare Research
- Lesson 36
Advanced Quasi-Experimental Designs: RD, DiD & Propensity Scores Explained
- Lesson 37
Understanding Observational Research: Cross-Sectional and Case-Control Methods for Health Studies
- Lesson 38
Understanding Cohort and Longitudinal Studies
- Lesson 39
Survey Design and Administration for Healthcare Research
- Lesson 40
Internal Validity in Quantitative Research
- Lesson 41
External Validity Explained: Make Quantitative Research Relevant to Real-World Settings
- Lesson 42
Understanding Measurement Principles in Quantitative Research
- Lesson 43
Understanding Sampling Approaches in Quantitative Research
- Lesson 44
Statistical Analysis in Quantitative Research
- Lesson 45
How to Interpret Statistical Findings in Research
- Lesson 46
Quantitative Research Critique Guide
- Lesson 47
How to Critique Quantitative Research for Public Health Practice
- Lesson 48
Week 3 Self-Reflective Assignment
- Lesson 49
Module 3.19: Writing Prompt Details
- Lesson 50
Week 3 Summary & What's Next
Module 4: Qualitative Research
- Lesson 51
Intro to Qualitative Research in Healthcare
- Lesson 52
Philosophical Roots of Qualitative Research
- Lesson 53
Phenomenology in Qualitative Research
- Lesson 54
Ethnography in Healthcare
- Lesson 55
Grounded Theory in Healthcare
- Lesson 56
Case Study & Narrative Research
- Lesson 57
Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research: Lincoln & Guba's 5 Criteria
- Lesson 58
Credibility & Transferability in Qualitative Research
- Lesson 59
Establishing Dependability & Confirmability
- Lesson 60
Reflexivity and Positionality in Qualitative Research Explained
- Lesson 61
Master Qualitative Interviewing
- Lesson 62
Using Focus Groups for Data Collection
- Lesson 63
Observational Methods in Qualitative Research
- Lesson 64
Creative Qualitative Research Methods
- Lesson 65
Qualitative Data Analysis Basics
- Lesson 66
Content and Thematic Analysis in Healthcare Research
- Lesson 67
Specialized Qualitative Analysis
- Lesson 68
CAQDAS for Health Researchers
- Lesson 69
Evaluating Qualitative Studies: Frameworks and Criteria for Critical Appraisal in Healthcare
- Lesson 70
How to Report Qualitative Research Findings with Reliable Integrity
- Lesson 71
Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
- Lesson 72
Week 4 Reflective Writing Assignment
- Lesson 73
How to Write a Qualitative Research Reflection (Week 4 Guide)
- Lesson 74
Module 4.24: Week 4 Summary
Module 5: Mixed Methods
- Lesson 75
Mixed Methods Foundations: Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Research
- Lesson 76
How Mixed Methods Research Evolved
- Lesson 77
Mixed Methods Research Questions: How to Write Them
- Lesson 78
Mixed Methods Design Explained
- Lesson 79
Mixed Methods Tutorial: Explanatory Sequential Design Explained
- Lesson 80
Exploratory Sequential Design Explained (QUAL→Quan)
- Lesson 81
How to Use Convergent Parallel Design in Mixed Methods Research for Students
- Lesson 82
Complex Design Strategies for Advanced Research Applications
- Lesson 83
What is Integration in Mixed Methods Research? Levels & Challenges
- Lesson 84
How to Plan Integration in Mixed Methods Research
- Lesson 85
Integrating Methods and Data in Mixed Methods Research
- Lesson 86
Mixed Methods Final Phase: Integration in Analysis & Interpretation
- Lesson 87
Struggling to Integrate Qual & Quant Data? Master Joint Displays (Module 5.13)
- Lesson 88
How to Assess Quality in Mixed Methods
- Lesson 89
Evaluating Integration in Mixed Methods Research
- Lesson 90
How Mixed Methods Advance Public Health
- Lesson 91
How Mixed Methods Support Implementation Science
- Lesson 92
How to Tackle Mixed Methods Challenges
- Lesson 93
How to Publish Mixed Methods Studies
- Lesson 94
The Future of Mixed Methods Research
- Lesson 95
Module 5.21: Mixed Methods Reflection Assignment
- Lesson 96
How to Complete Your Mixed Methods Reflection
- Lesson 97
What You Learned in Week 5
Module 6: Communication & Visualization
- Lesson 98
Unlocking Research Communication
- Lesson 99
Understanding Your Audience
- Lesson 100
Digital Storytelling in Research
- Lesson 101
Digital Storytelling for Public Health
- Lesson 102
Crafting Research Narratives
- Lesson 103
Digital Storytelling Technology
- Lesson 104
Ethics in Research Storytelling
- Lesson 105
Health in the Media Landscape
- Lesson 106
Understanding Media Bias
- Lesson 107
Developing Media Literacy Skills
- Lesson 108
Social Media Health Communication
- Lesson 109
Research in the Media
- Lesson 110
Data Visualization Principles
- Lesson 111
Creating Impactful Visualizations
- Lesson 112
Creating Accessible Research Content
- Lesson 113
Research Presentation Skills
- Lesson 114
Video Presentation Fundamentals
- Lesson 115
YouTube as a Research Platform
- Lesson 116
Building Your Research Portfolio
- Lesson 117
Finalizing Your Qualitative Critique
- Lesson 118
Week 6 Self-Reflective Writing Assignment
- Lesson 119
Writing Prompt Details
- Lesson 120
Preparing Your Research Plan Presentation
- Lesson 121
Week 6 Summary & What's Next
Module 7: Values, Trust & Research Integrity
- Lesson 122
How Values Shape Research: From Questions to Methods
- Lesson 123
Values in Public Health Research: Equity, Justice & Community
- Lesson 124
Why Trust Matters in Research: Ethics, Integrity & Impact
- Lesson 125
Building Trust with Research Participants
- Lesson 126
Building Community Trust in Research
- Lesson 127
Trust & Scientific Integrity: Peer Review, Reproducibility & Open Science
- Lesson 128
Public Trust in Science: Communication, Values & Engagement
- Lesson 129
Research Integrity Basics: Ethics, Principles & Practice
- Lesson 130
Research Misconduct & Integrity Risks
- Lesson 131
Research Design with Integrity: Questions, Methods & Analysis
- Lesson 132
Responsible Data Practices: Collection, Storage & Sharing
- Lesson 133
Publication & Authorship Integrity: Ethics, Credit & Reporting
- Lesson 134
Purpose-Driven Research: Meaning, Impact & Alignment
- Lesson 135
Purpose in Public Health Research: Impact, Equity & Action
- Lesson 136
Research Ethics Beyond Compliance: Reflection, Culture & Practice
- Lesson 137
Ethics in Collaborative Research: Teams, Disciplines & Global Contexts
- Lesson 138
Ethical Data Science in Public Health: AI, Privacy & Equity
- Lesson 139
Developing Your Research Plan: Content, Methods & Ethics
- Lesson 140
Structuring & Presenting Your Research Plan
- Lesson 141
Week 7 Reflective Assignment: Ethics, Trust & Purpose in Research
- Lesson 142
Ethical and Purposeful Research: A Reflective Writing Prompt
- Lesson 143
Final Research Presentation Prep: Timeline, Tech & Tips
- Lesson 144
Week 7 Recap: Ethics, Values & Trust in Research
Module 8: Capstone: Plan Write-Up & Reflection
- Lesson 145
Finalizing Your Research Presentation: Checklist, Fixes & Tips
- Lesson 146
Communicating Research Effectively: Style, Structure & Audience
- Lesson 147
Tech Tips for a Polished Research Presentation
- Lesson 148
Slide Design for Research Presentations: Visual Clarity & Data Tips
- Lesson 149
How to Upload a Research Presentation to YouTube
- Lesson 150
Research Presentation Evaluation Criteria Explained
- Lesson 151
How to Write a Strong Background Section
- Lesson 152
How to Integrate a Theoretical Framework
- Lesson 153
Research Methods That Work
- Lesson 154
Ethical Research Planning
- Lesson 155
How to Plan Research Implementation
- Lesson 156
Reflecting on Your Research Growth
- Lesson 157
Beyond the Course: Applying Research Skills Professionally
- Lesson 158
Building Your Research Network
- Lesson 159
Lifelong Learning for Researchers
- Lesson 160
Stay Current in Research
- Lesson 161
Develop Your Research Portfolio for Academic Branding
- Lesson 162
Knowledge Translation Skills
- Lesson 163
Final Reflection Assignment
- Lesson 164
Course Completion Guide
- Lesson 165
Celebrating Research Success: Your Journey of Growth, Skills & Professional Achievement
- Lesson 166
Final Course Reflections: Instructor’s Message on Growth, Public Health & Lifelong Learning
- Lesson 167
Top Research Resources for Growth: Methods, Public Health, Development & Funding Tools
- Lesson 168
Course Conclusion: Reflecting on Research Growth, Future Impact & Final Encouragement
How this course compares with other ways to learn
Each option has its place, and many learners combine them. Here is how they differ.
Ways to learn this material
| Option | Cost | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A textbook on your own | The price of the book | Depth and reference value; pacing and practice are up to you | Self-directed learners |
| A university course | Tuition and enrollment | An instructor, grades, and credit | Learners who need credit toward a degree |
| Scattered free videos and articles | Free | Explanations of single topics, in no particular order | Looking up one concept quickly |
| Research & Theory in Healthcare (this course) | Free | 168 lessons in 8 modules, from research paradigms to a defensible research plan | Healthcare and public health students building a research plan |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this research methods course cover?
Research paradigms, ethics, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, research communication, and a capstone research plan, with a healthcare and public health focus.
Who is it for?
Students and professionals in healthcare and public health who need to design, critique, or write up research.
Are all the lessons available now?
Notes publish on a rolling schedule, and the outline shows which lessons are ready.
Is the course free?
Yes.
Questions about the course?
Reach out on LinkedIn for curriculum questions, suggestions on where to start, or to talk research methodology in healthcare.