PAR606: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Parasitology Research 6 credits (20-10-30)

Objectives

To review the quantitative and qualitative methods used in parasitological research

Contents

Quantitative methods: (i) Cohort studies: analysis of rates using stratification to investigate confounding and interaction; simple survival analysis (life tables and Kaplan-Meier).  Introduction to Poisson and Cox regression.  (ii) Case-control studies: design issues including matching; analysis of studies using stratification to investigate confounding and interaction. (iii) Likelihood theory. (iv) Logistic regression for the analysis of case-control, cross-sectional and fixed cohort studies. Introduction to mathematical modelling of parasitic infections.

Qualitative methods: Producing data using in-depth one to one and group interviews; ethnographic approaches; developing interview skills; practical issues in participant observation fieldwork. Analyzing data: Approaches to data analysis (thematic analysis, grounded theory); using manual and computer assisted aids to data management and analysis (introduction to Atlas-Ti).