PhD in Nursing Courses
UC's PhD in nursing program courses are designed to provide the foundation for a nursing research career. In addition, PhD students partner with faculty mentors in their area of research interest to develop a research program that contributes to the creation of nursing knowledge.
Credits: 3
Description: This course provides an in-depth study of the history of science and knowledge development, from antiquity through current post-modern and post-structuralist science. Aims, methods, and progression of science are discussed. Students develop knowledge that leads to an understanding of the broad social, cultural and political context in which science develops.
Credits: 3
Description: This course explores paradigms and methods for theory construction, analysis, and evaluation. Students apply strategies for concept and theory development, clarification, and analysis. The relationship between research and theory generation and testing will be explored as it applies to the study of health of diverse population groups.
Credits: 3
Description: In this course, methods to operationalize variables are explored. Sampling and data collection strategies are analyzed and compared. Emphasis is placed on the development of scientific rigor in the research process, as well as the ethical and professional standards for the conduct and reporting of research.
Credits: 3
Description: This course focuses on qualitative research relevant to the study of human phenomena of concern to nurses and provides an introduction to the assumptions, concepts, characteristics, and language of qualitative research. Philosophical underpinnings for qualitative paradigms and research methods that support the study of human phenomena are presented. Published research serves as the basis for evaluating qualitative research methods.
Credits: 3
Description: This seminar focuses on analysis of ethical issues and social, public, and health policy in relation to the advancement of nursing science. Historical and current governmental activities, as well as social and ethical issues influencing health policy and nursing science, are examined. Values and preferences that impact social choices within a pluralistic society are considered. The potential and realized contributions of nursing research to the development of health policy are analyzed and evaluated.
Credits: 3
Description: This course empowers students with skills and strategies that enable them to prepare competitive and innovative grant applications to fund their program of research. Students explore various sources of grant funding (federal, state, local and foundation-based) and review content of grant announcements and/or requests for proposals (RFPs) relevant to their research interests. Based on a selected grant announcement and/or RFP, students develop a grant proposal and complete the grant application process, following the required criteria, with particular attention to the significance, innovation, and approach to the project. Students also gain expertise in peer review of grants, using a mock study-session format. Students should pay attention to diversity, cultural competence, and unique contributions of their proposals to research.
Credits: 3
Description: This course is the prequel to the sequence in advanced statistical methods, used in doctoral level nursing research. Univariate and bivariate parametric analysis methods are covered. Hypothesis development, statistical method selection, data preparation, applied analysis and programming fundamentals, results interpretation and presentation are stressed in a flipped-classroom/workshop format. An introduction to power and sample size calculation by method is integrated throughout. Inclusion of under-represented groups in human subject research is emphasized.
Credits: 3
Description: This course is the first of two which introduce advanced statistical methods used in doctoral level nursing research. Method selection, application, and results interpretation and presentation are stressed in a flipped-classroom / workshop format. Methods introduced include partial correlation, multi-way ANOVA, ANCOVA, multiple regression, logistic regression, and multilevel models. An introduction to power and sample size calculation by method is integrated throughout.
Credits: 3
Description: This course is the second of two which introduce advanced statistical methods in doctoral level nursing research. Multivariate method selection, application, and results interpretation and presentation are stressed in a flipped-classroom / workshop format. Methods introduced include. MANOVA, MANCOVA, factor analysis, principle components analysis, and structural equation modeling. An introduction to power and sample size calculation by method is integrated throughout.
Credits: 3
Description: In this course, students develop research skills through directed study and supervised research experience. This practicum is related to one or more courses taken in the PhD program and the student's area of interest. Multidisciplinary research experience may include, but is not limited to, pilot-testing and evaluating research methods, sampling and recruitment of participants from diverse populations, data collection strategies, data analysis, secondary analysis, and required scholarly writing. Experiences are expected to contribute to the student's dissertation research.