Southern New Hampshire University

PHE327: Research and Assessment in Public Health

A study guide to SNHU's PHE327, the online course on needs assessment, data collection, research designs and statistical analysis for health education programs.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

PHE327 is a three-credit online undergraduate course that teaches the research skills behind health education programs.

SNHU's catalog says students develop introductory knowledge and skills in applying assessment instruments, data collection, research designs and statistical analysis to assess need, assets and capacity. Existing data sets are introduced so that health promotion projects can be fiscally feasible while meeting the needs of a targeted population.

Students often struggle because the course combines method and judgment. You must choose a design and instrument that fit the question, and then explain what the data can and cannot show.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversitySouthern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Course codePHE327
Credits3
LevelUndergraduate
DeliveryOnline
Subject areaResearch methods and needs assessment in health education
Typical workNeeds assessment tasks, data interpretation, short reports (varies by term)

What PHE327 Covers

Strand (from the catalog)What it means in practice
Assessment instrumentsSurveys and tools used to measure needs and attitudes
Data collectionChoosing sources, sampling and gathering information responsibly
Research designsMatching design to question, for example descriptive versus comparative
Statistical analysisIntroductory summaries and comparisons of data
Need, assets and capacityWhat a community lacks, what it already has, and what it can sustain
Existing data setsUsing available public data to save cost and time

Key Concepts Explained

Needs, Assets and Capacity

A needs assessment finds gaps; an asset assessment finds strengths such as organizations, skills and facilities; a capacity assessment asks whether the community and the program can deliver. A balanced plan uses all three.

Invented illustration: A survey shows many residents of a neighborhood want help with nutrition. An asset map finds a community garden and a church kitchen. Capacity review finds only one trained volunteer. The plan builds on the garden and kitchen, and includes volunteer training.

Primary and Secondary Data

Primary data is collected for your project, for example through a survey. Secondary data already exists, such as national health surveys or local records. Secondary data is cheaper, but it may not match your population or question exactly.

Choosing a Design

Descriptive designs show what is happening, comparative designs show differences between groups, and experimental or quasi-experimental designs test whether a program made a difference. Name your design and justify why it fits.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Task typeWhat it testsHow to approach it
Needs assessment planSelecting methods and instrumentsTie each question to a data source and instrument
Data set explorationFinding and using existing dataState the source, population and limits of the data
Basic statistical summaryInterpreting numbersReport the figure, then say what it means for the program
Short report or presentationCommunicating findingsLead with the main finding and keep methods concise

A Short Worked Needs Assessment

Here is how the pieces fit together in a small, invented example, so you can see the logic before you apply it to your own task.

Invented illustration: A community center wants to offer a health education program for older adults. Question: what health topics do members want, and what could the center realistically deliver? Design: a short descriptive survey of members, plus a review of existing local health data. Sample: all members who attend in one week, with the limitation that non-attenders are missed. Analysis: the percentage choosing each topic, shown in a simple table. Decision: offer the two most requested topics first, using a volunteer nurse already connected to the center.

Notice how every step answers a specific decision. The survey is short because the question is narrow, the data review saves cost, and the limitation is stated rather than hidden. Use the same chain in your own assignment: question, design, sample, analysis, decision.

When you write up results, report the number first and the meaning second. A table of percentages is only useful once you say what the program will do differently because of it.

Where Students Get Stuck

Study Tips for PHE327

How We Help with PHE327

Send the assignment prompt, rubric, any data or readings, and instructor feedback. A writer can prepare a model needs assessment or report, explain a method with your topic, or review your own work for logic and clarity.

GradeEssays is independent of Southern New Hampshire University. Our work is a study and reference aid: use it to learn the method, then write and submit your own work under SNHU's academic integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch and plagiarism-checked, with free revisions within the scope of your original request and a full refund if late.

Make Your PHE327 Assessment Stronger

Share the assignment and any data. We prepare a model approach to study or review your draft and explain each change.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does PHE327 teach?

Introductory assessment instruments, data collection, research designs and statistical analysis for assessing need, assets and capacity.

Is PHE327 online?

Yes, the catalog lists it as online, with three credits.

What is the difference between PHE327 and PHE505?

PHE327 is undergraduate and introductory. PHE505 is a graduate research methods course that ends in a research proposal.

Do I need advanced statistics?

The catalog describes introductory skills only. Expect basic summaries and comparisons.

What are existing data sets used for?

To assess need and plan feasible projects without collecting every piece of data yourself.

Can you help me design a needs assessment?

Yes. Send your topic and rubric and we prepare a custom plan or review your draft with explanations.