Professor: Allen Course format: Lecture w/lab Number of respondents: 20 Total Enrollment: 30 Class Composition: Froshs: 0 Sophs: 6 Jrs: 22 Srs: 2 Concs: 13 Non-Concs: 2 Don't Know: 0

Instructor Average: 2.02 Course Average: 1.92

Are you a community health concentrator with an interest in health care? If so, this may be the course for you. 'Social-Science Research in Health Care' emphasizes research methods and skills in applying them to current health care policy issues. Students felt that a basic statistics background was necessary for the course. It is targeted towards juniors in preparation for their senior research projects in community health.

Professor Allen was complimented as being straightforward, laid-back, and knowledgeable in her area of expertise. Respondents also appreciated her willingness to answer questions. However, some students mentioned her tendency to digress and ramble at times. She was also cited as being a bit disorganized. Overall though, the students appreciated her effort and personality that came through during lectures.

Reviewers generally agreed that the course required a minimal to a fair amount of work; most averaged a workload of three hours a week. There were four labs utilizing the computer, a final paper/project, a midterm, a final, and readings. Students were grateful that the labs were not lengthy, and that the readings were moderate.

Students felt that the class was useful and applicable to real life, in terms of future research and critical analysis. On the other hand, many also took the course because it was a requirement for their concentration. But all agreed that the professor did a good job in making a boring subject more interesting, from being willing to listen, to using numerous real life examples. Furthermore, the instructor observed Reading Period.

Whether this course is a requirement or whether you would like to research in the health care area, Professor Allen does an adequate job of teaching the class. So, consider taking the class if you've ever thought about community health!

View BC/0132 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.