Population, Family and Reproductive Health

PhD Program Overview

This PFRH handbook describes the program of study for PhD students. It is based on the competencies for the program shown below and the 12 foundational learning objectives required for all programs in schools of public health by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). All PFRH PhD students should have a fundamental understanding of statistical methods and their application, epidemiology, research ethics, advanced research methods in a selected methodological area, expertise in an area of interest, as listed below, and the application of life course perspectives on health, demography, and population dynamics to this area of interest. They are also required to take four terms of the first-year doctoral seminar, two terms of the second-year doctoral seminar, and the PFRH Proposal Writing Seminar (until completion of the Preliminary Oral Examination).

The department's current areas of interest include:

• Adolescent Health
• Child Health
• Maternal, Fetal, and Perinatal Health
• Population and Health
• Women's, Sexual and Reproductive Health

PhD Program Competencies

DEPARTMENT COMPETENCIES

All PFRH doctoral students must attain proficiency in the following three (3) competencies:

1. Applying statistical methods to address the health of populations.
2. Applying epidemiological methods to address the health of populations.
3. Applying ethical concepts and tools to population health research and practice.

DEGREE PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

All PFRH doctoral students must attain proficiency in eight PhD-specific competencies:

1. Evaluating and applying study designs for addressing research and evaluation questions about the health of populations.
2. Evaluating and applying rigorous strategies for measurement and data collection across a range of study designs.
3. Analyzing data using methodological tools appropriate to the study question and available data.
4. Interpreting data based on the strength of evidence, recognizing study limitations, and drawing appropriate inferences.
5. Analyzing primary quantitative or qualitative data and participating in the preparation of a peer-reviewed manuscript using the data.
6. Designing an instrument for data collection and implementing the instrument with primary data.
7. Preparing and defending a research proposal addressing a clearly identified research question, including the appropriate research methods and conceptual framework for answering the question.
8. Conducting and presenting original, independent, and publishable research about a clearly identified research question.

AREA OF INTEREST COMPETENCIES

All PFRH doctoral students must meet proficiency in seven competencies in their selected area of interest:

1. Applying a life course framework to understand population health problems related to their area of interest, including a multiple determinants framework for the health of populations across the life course.
2. Identifying and assessing the causes and consequences of population change.
3. Applying demographic methods to the health of populations.
4. Assessing the principal health concerns for the populations relevant to the area of interest, the associated population-based risk factors, and the relative impact of each risk factor.
5. Evaluating strategies to promote population health, including the policies and programs that address health concerns and behavior in populations relevant to the area of interest.
6. Applying frameworks specific to the area of interest (beyond life course) for improving the health of the relevant populations.
7. Critiquing health services and systems delivery strategies used to address health concerns in relevant populations.

PFRH Doctoral Seminars

Formal seminars are required for all PFRH doctoral students from the first year until students successfully complete their preliminary oral exam. They are described below. The seminar in the first and second term of the first year is planned based on students' interests.

First-year Doctoral Seminars in Population, Family, and Reproductive Health; First and Second Term Course Objectives:

These seminars are designed to facilitate students' transitions into the PFRH doctoral program, introduce skills to help students succeed in the program, and develop students' ability to formulate scientific questions.

At the end of the seminar, students will be able to:

• Describe the requirements, timeline, and benchmarks of the PFRH doctoral program
• Locate opportunities and resources for doctoral students within PFRH, JHBSPH, and JHU
• Read scientific articles effectively and efficiently
• Describe the nature of scientific questions and how they are identified
• Explain the role of the scientific community in the research process
• Articulate their area of specialization orally and in writing

First-year Doctoral Seminars in Population, Family, and Reproductive Health; Third and Fourth Term Course Objectives:

At the end of these courses, students will be able to:

• Develop a research concept based on their individual interests;
• Link scientific questions with appropriate research designs;
• Discuss strategies for obtaining and managing research funding;
• Evaluate different approaches used to communicate research findings; and
• Create a plan for their research career both as a student and later as a professional.

Second-year Doctoral Seminars in Population, Family, and Reproductive Health; First and Second Term Course Objectives:

At the end of these courses, students will be able to:

• Apply diverse conceptual frameworks to public health issues pertinent to PFRH;
• Critically evaluate empirical articles addressing public health issues related to PFRH;
• Compare and contrast the approaches of various academic disciplines to public health issues of relevance to PFRH; and
• Recognize and critically evaluate common study designs and methods used in research relevant to PFRH.
• Compose and discuss written responses to analytic and conceptual questions about two studies presented as a practice comprehensive exam (second term only)

The first term focuses on integrating life course and demographic methods and approaches across the population area of interests in the department. The second term builds on the first term experience and is specific to the student's chosen area of interest. It also includes a practice written exam for the comprehensive exam.

PFRH Proposal Writing Seminar Course Objectives:

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

• Develop a research question, study aims, and hypotheses to be used in a dissertation proposal;
• Conduct a literature review which identifies current research and gaps as they relate to the study and research questions and aims;
• Identify an appropriate study design including study population and methodology, both quantitative and qualitative;
• Identify data sets or settings for data collection;
• Examine frameworks and find appropriate frameworks for the study;
• Review analytic methods; develop a feasible timeline for the study; consider ethical issues and IRB approval; and
• Identify potential funding sources.

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