Epidemiology

IHP 330 Small Group Discussion Guidelines and Rubric

Overview: In this discussion assignment, you will be divided into small groups by your instructor. For this discussion, you will develop a research question to investigate HPV. You will then determine whether you would use an observational or experimental design to investigate the research question, and support your rationale. In your responses to your peers, you will critique their research questions and their choice of design, providing specific feedback on their strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Prompt: Before you post in this discussion, first read the following health scenario:

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a group of more than 150 related viruses. They are contagious and can spread from person to person via intimate skin-to- skin contact. The virus is most commonly spread through sexual contact. Some strains of HPV can cause cancer, but there is a vaccine for the strains that cause most of these cancers. In other words, there is a vaccine that can prevent about 91% of HPV-related cancers.

Resources

CDC. (2016a). “What is HPV?” Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/whatishpv.html

CDC. (2016b). “HPV vaccines: Vaccinating your preteen or teen.” Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine.html

Then, in your initial post, address the following:

Create a research question to investigate HPV.

Explain whether you would use an observational or experimental design to investigate the research question. Be sure to justify your choice.

After you have posted your initial response, read through the posts of your peers. Critique their research question, providing specific feedback on its strengths and areas in need of improvement. Also, how can your peer best answer their research question? Would you choose the same design that they did? Why or why not?

Requirements for Group Discussion Assignments You are required to post one initial post (1) and to follow up with at least two (2) response posts.

For your initial post (1), you must do the following: Complete the initial post by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time of your local time zone.

For your response posts (2), you must do the following: Reply to at least two students outside of your own initial thread.

Complete the two response posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time of your local time zone.

Demonstrate more depth and thought than simply stating that “I agree” or “You are wrong.”

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Research Question Develops a research question

to investigate HPV

Develops a research question to investigate HPV, but with gaps in detail or clarity

Does not develop a research

question to investigate HPV

22

Research Design Explains whether to use an observational or experimental design to investigate the research question, justifying selection

Explains whether to use an observational or experimental design to investigate the research question, justifying selection, but with gaps in detail, clarity, or logic

Does not explain whether to use an observational or experimental design to investigate the research question

22

Timeliness Submits initial post on time Submits initial post one day late

Submits initial post two or more days late

18

Critical Analysis Provides specific feedback to peers on research question and selected research design, supporting response

Provides feedback to peers on research question and selected research design, supporting response, but with lack of specificity, or gaps in detail, clarity, or support

Does not provide specific feedback to peers on research question and selected research design

30

Writing (Mechanics)

Initial post and responses are easily understood and reflect proper citation methods where applicable with few errors in citations

Initial post and responses are understandable and reflect proper citation methods where applicable with a number of errors in citations

Initial post and responses are not understandable and do not reflect proper citation methods where applicable

8

Total 100%