Short course in clinical research skills (Tygerberg)

To provide substantial knowledge of clinical research methodology and skills to ensure increased quality of clinical research projects and successful completion thereof

Date & Duration – 10 weeks, 2 hours per week, Monday afternoons (usually 16:00 – 18:00) on the following dates: 20 & 27 May; 3, 10 & 24 June; 22 & 29 July; 5, 12 & 19 August 2013 (The full course must be attended)

Course Fee – To be confirmed [Registered for Continuing Education Units (CEU); Certificate issued; Include course materials.]

Venue: To be confirmed upon registration

Purpose
- Provide detailed and comprehensive research methodology skills for research clinicians
- Increase clinical research capacity at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS)
- Increase quality of clinical research projects and papers

Target Audience
- FHS clinical students planning or busy with their research projects
- FHS clinical supervisors or consultants assisting students with their research projects

Course Content
Introduction and philosophy of clinical research:
- Critical thinking in clinical practice
- What is clinical research?
- Framing the research question
Specific methodologies and practical application:
- Cross-sectional study
- Diagnostic accuracy study
- Cohort study and clinical trial
- Case-control study
- Systematic review
Clinical research tools:
- Searching the literature
- Data collection instruments
- Sampling and recruitment
- Biostatistics I & II
General research tools:
- Research Ethics
- Budgeting

Learning Outcomes
- Acquire the working knowledge of various research methodologies
- Acquire the ability to practically apply various research methodologies to appropriate data
- Develop basic biostatistical knowledge and theory
- Develop working knowledge of statistical programmes
- Acquire general information about faculty research resources and background

Training Approach
- Participatory and interactive
- Focus on practical application
- Allowing for enquiry and question