Throughout my coursework in the Research Design & Biostatistics class at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, USC, I gained essential skills applicable to community health issues. This core class in the Master of Community Oral Health Program not only provided technical tools but also deepened my understanding of ethical research practices in public health.
Course Highlights
The lectures enhanced my grasp of biostatistical methods and their pivotal roles in public health research. Early discussions on study designs, including cohort, case-control, and randomized controlled trials, laid a solid foundation. These designs are integral for examining associations between risk factors and health outcomes, essential for devising effective public health interventions. This knowledge is crucial when designing studies to explore and is helpful when determining the cause of health issues within a community or the effectiveness of interventions designed to address these issues. For example, by properly setting up a randomized controlled trial, I can help assess the impact of a new health education program on smoking cessation outcomes within a community.
The course placed a strong emphasis on ethical considerations, particularly in research involving vulnerable populations. This awareness is crucial when dealing with real-world community health problems where participants’ dignity and safety are paramount. It ensures that all research I am involved in is conducted with the highest ethical standards, respecting the rights and well-being of all participants and upholding the highest standards of dignity and safety for participants.
Like what you’re learning? Consider enrolling in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC’s online, competency-based certificate or master’s program in Community Oral Health.
The curriculum also comprehensively covered statistical analysis and hypothesis testing. From data organization to exploratory and confirmatory analysis using various statistical tests, these sessions emphasized the importance of data integrity, enabling me to draw valid, reliable conclusions. Learning about how hypotheses are structured and tested within various research frameworks, especially highlighting the importance of statistical tests in validating these hypotheses, equipped me with the analytical skills required to formulate and scrutinize hypotheses, ensuring that I can assess the efficacy of public health interventions scientifically. Further, lectures on sampling methods and inferential statistics, such as t-tests and chi-square tests, deepened my ability to analyze data effectively, making conclusions more representative of the broader population. Sampling methods are crucial in understanding how to select representative samples that minimize bias and improve the validity of research findings. This knowledge is essential in designing studies that accurately reflect the population of interest, ensuring the results are applicable and meaningful. Additionally, learning about t-tests and chi-square tests equipped me with the tools to assess interventions’ effectiveness and test hypotheses about associations between variables in public health research. These tools are essential for analyzing data obtained from community health assessments, allowing me to determine whether observed differences in health outcomes are statistically significant and not due to random chance.
Practical Application and Personal Growth
The course prepared me to develop and scrutinize research protocols, encompassing research questions, literature reviews, methodology, and ethical considerations. This is crucial for proposing health interventions or securing funding. My ability to critically review literature has been enhanced, helping me identify research gaps and design interventions that effectively address health disparities.
As a result of this course, I’ve experienced substantial personal growth and gained confidence in applying biostatistical skills to public health challenges. These theoretical and practical skills are essential in healthcare and any data-driven sector. They enable informed decision-making that significantly impacts public health outcomes. I am not just prepared but also eager to apply these competencies in a community oral health setting, designing and evaluating interventions that promote better health based on rigorous methodology and statistical evidence.
This course has truly been a transformative experience, enhancing my understanding and practice of public health and biostatistics research. As I move forward in my career, I am confident in my ability to apply these tools to help solve complex health problems and improve the well-being of communities.
Earn an Online Postgraduate Degree in Community Oral Health
Do you like learning about a variety of issues while focused on the unique needs of community health dental programs? Consider enrolling in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC’s online, competency-based certificate or master’s program in Community Oral Health.
