As in the master’s program, all PhD courses are generally 14 weeks in duration, but the format of delivery may vary. For example, Guided Reading courses will be structured by agreement between the student and faculty member. Students will also be encouraged to take graduate courses from other programs of the University, if appropriate to their emerging area of research interest. This option is subject to the approval of the Program Coordinator and the Associate Dean (or designate) of the faculty administering the program, as well as permission from the program in which the course is offered.
Additional non-credit course work (e.g., language preparation in a language other than English), if recommended by the student’s Thesis Advisory Committee, may be obligatory. All PhD students are required to attend all HIS research colloquia during the first two years of their programs.
Required course 1 - HIS 9655 - Advanced Theory and Methodology Course
This course will focus on theories and methods identified as particularly relevant to Health Information Science research. Theories and methodologies that explore and assess individual, inter-personal and social aspects of the construction, organization, synthesis and use of health information and knowledge, the contexts in which this information/knowledge is needed and used, will be covered. While theories from related fields (e.g., sociology, psychology, information studies, health studies, etc.) will be included (e.g., Theory of Reasoned Action, Health Belief Model, Everyday Life Information Seeking, Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change, etc.), the course will emphasize theories and methods of particular relevance to the emerging area of knowledge translation/translational science (e.g. Diffusion of Innovations, interactional models, social network models, etc.). Cross-listed with LIS 9855.
Required course(s) 2 - Advanced Research Methods Course(s) in the Health Sciences
A number of advanced methods courses (700 level) are offered as either 0.25 or 0.5 credit courses available in the Faculty of Health Sciences Health & Rehabilitation Science program, and open to HIS students. A student may be required to take one or more of these courses depending on their field and/or based on the recommendations of their advisory committee.
Two elective courses - e.g., guided reading course(s); electives from MHIS or other units. MHIS Electives will be open to Ph.D. students with permission of instructor and supervisor; these may be especially relevant to students without previous course work in this area.