Admission requirements
Successful completion of the course DABS (Design and Analysis of Biomedical Studies) or an equivalent course.
Description
Period: 3.5 day in the first two weeks of October.
Program of the course
The course will focus on advanced concepts related to the design of clinical epidemiological studies. The course will start with an introduction on ‘Research Waste’, by which is meant the large amount of research investment that has been wasted (as much as 85% according to some authors) due to wrong questions being asked, poor study designs and distorted findings. Subsequently, we will discuss methods to minimise or prevent bias and (unmeasured) confounding in the design phase of a study in several lectures and practical exercises.
Research competences: A better appreciation of the importance of good research design
Knowledge on methods that decrease the likelihood of flawed research
Professional competences: Basic ability to perform peer review
Course objectives
You are able to discuss advanced methods and concepts used for epidemiological study design
you are able to apply specific methods in a study design to minimise bias and confounding
you are able to identify limitations in the design of a study that affect the conclusions of a paper or manuscript
Mode of instruction
Lectures, workgroups
Assessment method
The student will perform a critical peer review of a manuscript and describe its strengths and limitations in 1.5 A4 max. This document will be graded as fail, sufficient pass or good pass.
Reading list
will follow