Basic Clinical Research Tools
Description
As scary to some people as they are hard to spell correctly! Yet biostatistics and epidemiology are essential to how clinical data is analysed. Not simply after-the-event add-ons, but determining the design and analysis of all the data that is collected. These fields have experts able to assist researchers, but without a good understanding of the basic principles of biostatistics and epidemiology, dialogue about the processes involved is difficult. A good grounding in this area facilitates group dynamics in research and provides a critical foundation for quality research.
Subject Code
CLRS90010
Credit Points
12.5 points
Objectives
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Understand the basic principles in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Understand the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs
- Understand basic principles of epidemiological and clinical research
- Be familiar with terms used in the literature
- Understand statistical reasoning, including inference and the need for power and appropriate samples
- Perform basic statistical processes
- Understand the role, strengths and weaknesses of different study designs
Description:
Topics covered include:
- Basic descriptive data
- Probability and inference
- Analysis of two-way tables
- Differences of Means
- Simple correlation
- Case-series, cross-sectional, cohort, case-control studies and Randomised Clinical Trials (RCTs)
- Measurement of exposure
- Measurement of response
- Bias, random error and individual variation (including response variation)
- Sample size and power
Pre-requisites and/or Co-requisites
For both the Professional Certificate and Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research the entry requirements are:
- An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in medicine, an allied health profession, nursing, science or social science which is recognised by the University as evidence of adequate preparation for the course PLUS
- Documented evidence of at least one year¿s full-time relevant professional work experience in a
medical, scientific or allied health environment.
All students will be required to meet the English Language requirements of the University.
Mode of Delivery
Intensive 4 day blocks
Contact Time
48 hours of lectures/seminars/workshops
Assessment
A series of epidemiological and biostatistical exercises equivalent to 2,000 words (50%), and a review of segments of journal articles of 2,000 words (50%).
Subject Coordinator
Associate Professor Stephen Farish
Venue
Hawthorn Campus
Dates
Monday 30 April, Tuesday 1, Thursday 3 & Friday 4 May 2012
Course Fee
Program Fees for 2012 are $2,350 per 12.5 point subject, making total costs as follows:
- The Professional Certificate - $4,700
- The Graduate Certificate - $9,400
The course fee includes:
- All course materials and assessment
- Access to on-line databases required
- Morning, afternoon tea and lunch on each day of teaching
Student commitment
Students should expect to undertake a minimum of 120 hours lectures, research, reading, writing etc to complete this subject successfully.
For further information contact
Mary Georges (03) 9810 3185 or m.georges@commercial.unimelb.edu.au
Application Process
Applications are managed by Student Services.