Since 2005 MPH is being taught in the institute I work in. Originally and until till three years ago the thesis was done in the third semester after the completion of their course works. The MPH program and other Masters (Nursing, Orthopedics, Community medicine, pediatrics etc) programs submitted their thesis at different periods of time. We have 15 students in each batch who come from different programs (Ayurveda, Nursing, Dentistry, MBBS, Nursing and public health etc).
In the name of syncing or streamlining the timing of the thesis presentation has been shifted for the MPH students who are to submit their thesis in the beginning of second semester. The arguments given are that they have been taught biostatistics in the first semester, they have attended a 10 day course on research methodology along other Master's students. In the second semester which consists of 6 months, subjects like research quantitative and qualitative/ Health Economics/ gender and health, family health etc.
My query here is, is this the correct way to run an academic research program? For some this may seem a trivial thing but it is such trivial things of various nature that accumulate and humane progress stalls. Thank you. #BPKIHS #MPH #Nepal
Dear inquisitive friend,
You are in very down to earth thinker.
As you said the participants are; "heterogeneous, they are graduate, they learn biostatistics and steps of methodology" and actually these are considers as basic knowledge for initiations of a research. We can said these are their basic eligibility for conduct a research for academic purpose. The reason behind this is the participants will go through a process start with selection of issue and identify a problem and they will search till they find a problem they are going to solve and that will give benefit to community or society or country or policy or in work area and it may be a very tiny contributions. Actually this is the aim and objective of academic institutions. Based on this the institutions is running following best possible ethics for participants and country, it also said the commitment of Institute.
Now, what about particularly participants who can't grap all of this? The answer is, most of the faculties are oriented with this problem, nothing new is here. As besides the study all participants are human beings and they have work and personal life for some issues if particular participant cannot understand, h/she needs to increase focus on his/her study, seeking assistance of course faculty/teacher and class fellow/friends to understand and accomplishment.
Remember, all systems and policies were make for betterment upto that time human use it for good intentions, only manipulations, bais and bad intentions spoil the good deliver.
Lastly, give attention to your question my last voice is, if you feel you or any of your known one feel difficulty, please find the problem of understanding (what,why) that will give you, your best answer and donot forget to seek assistance.
Students can start their research work in third semester and cab submit their thesis after their final examination. It is the practice in some universities. They should start the research work after finishing biostatistics and research methodology courses.
The question and discussion are quite interesting and invigorating thinking. Learning basic that one will need to use in research obviously is critical to grasp and STORE somehow for ease of retrieval during its application. It is unfortunate that there is always a poor relation between theory and practical. But it would be ideal to work on the research from first year of study until the end while building and attaining information and skills to narrate the findings and collection of data.
Based on the academic courses time table, student can start his/her thesis any time as long as he/she is equipped the required materials to conduct a research project. I think it's the benefit for student to start a research as early as possible to take enough time for his/her thesis.
This is from my understanding not formal academic plan
Given the nature of MPH in the recent decade where graduates from different backgrounds join the course, I feel it is better to allow the entire first year with a basic understanding of key subjects like epidemiology, Biostatistics, and research methodology. In our University the scholars select the subject of their interest and prepare a note that is cleared by respective guide and also discussed with examiners in the second-semester exam to get additional inputs to freeze the sample, methodology, etc. The actual data is collected in the third semester, analyzed and a draft report is made. Then the dissertation is reviewed by the guide and presentations are made to the examiners in the third semester, which is finalized in 4th semester taking into account the inputs of the examiners.
Conducting a research is like drawing a picture and providing the requierd knowledge is as important as providing drawing tools which is not enough to draw a good picture specialy when it is the first picture ,in both cases second or third semester, connecting the acquired knowledge in research with the application of this knowledge is the key which can be accomplished through phasing the research process guided by a mentoring programe to help the students step by step through their research process .
You might want to put this in formal writing and discuss with faculty members extensively, comparing with the curriculum of neighbouring institutions will also be helpful.
In my experience of 20 or more years teaching on Masters Courses, but also as an experienced PhD supervisor. The only place for research is at the end of the Course. I believe that it is only at this point that the student has the optimum experience of research.
Frank Crompton.@
