1

Breadth of HSR theoretical and conceptual knowledge.

Know how to apply alternative theoretical and conceptual models from a range of relevant disciplines to HSR.

2

In-depth disciplinary knowledge and skills.

Apply in-depth disciplinary knowledge and skills relevant to health services research.

3

Application of HSR foundational knowledge to health policy problems.

Use knowledge of the structures, performance, quality, policy, and environmental context of health and health care to formulate solutions for health policy problems.

4

Pose innovative HSR questions.

Pose innovative and important research questions, informed by systematic reviews of the literature, stakeholder needs, and relevant theoretical and conceptual models.

5

Interventional and Observational Study Designs.

Select appropriate interventional (experimental and quasi-experimental) or observational (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods) study designs to address specific health services research questions.

6

Primary data collection methods.

Know how to collect primary health and health care data obtained by survey, qualitative, or mixed methods.

7

Secondary data acquisition methods.

Know how to assemble secondary data from existing public and private sources.

8

Conceptual models and operational measures.

Use a conceptual model to specify study constructs for a health services research question and develop variables that reliably and validly measure these constructs.

9

Implementation of research protocols.

Implement research protocols with standardized procedures that ensure reproducibility of the science.

10

Responsible conduct of research.

Ensure the ethical and responsible conduct of research in the design, implementation, and dissemination of health services research.

11

Multi-disciplinary teamwork.

Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams.

12

Data analysis.

Use appropriate analytical methods to clarify associations between variables and to delineate causal inferences.

13

Scientific communication.

Effectively communicate the findings and implications of health services research through multiple modalities to technical and lay audiences.

14

Stakeholder collaboration and knowledge translation.

Understand the importance of collaborating with policymakers, organizations, and communities to plan, conduct, and translate health services research into policy and practice.