The field of health services research draws upon theories, research designs and methods from a wide variety of disciplines including social and behavioural sciences, clinical sciences, management and administrative sciences, law, epidemiology, and biostatistics. The goal of this course is to provide a forum for doctoral students to explore theoretical/conceptual frameworks, study designs and research methods, and to apply them in the preparation of a health services research project.

Objectives: upon completion of the course, students should be able to: 1) Draw upon and integrate the research theories and methods used in a variety of disciplines to define a research question and plan a health services research project; 2) Develop a conceptual framework for a research study and use it as the basis for a study design; 3) Understand the application of quantitative and qualitative methods used in health services research; 4) Demonstrate the analytic skills required to critically read and evaluate the health services research literature; 5) Develop and defend a research question, conceptual framework and methodology that addresses an important health services research question.