Essentials in Health Research Methodology

Course Description
A profound understanding of research methodology is a key requisite for conducting scientific research and for the critical assessment of research results. As in any field of science, the methods applied in Health Research evolve continuously and rapidly. This course provides the participating students with an overview of the state of the art research methods commonly used in Health Sciences, hereby facilitating their understanding of research methodology as a whole. Through four overall topics, the students are introduced to different experts from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Basel. Consequently, the course provides an excellent opportunity for collaboration and networking within the field of Health Research in Basel.

Course Structure
The course covers 4 modules:

1. Health Economics, Public Health and Public Health Policy
2. Qualitative Research, Questionnaires and Surveys
3. Observational Studies and Analysis of Observational Datasets
4. Randomized Controlled Trials

Each module will be covered by face-to-face teaching (1 day in total) in combination with pre-reading and home assignments. The course serves to provide an introduction to the different topics and will cover the basics only.

Choose single modules, or book all 4.

Participants

University of Basel PhD students of the Faculty of Medicine and of Swiss TPH.

External participants who fulfill similar eligibility criteria as the PPHS PhD students: PhD students from the disciplines above, but not registered in PPHS, or from other faculties or PhD schools, PostDocs, MDs, Clinical Research professionals from academia or industry with minimum M.Sc. qualification.

Group size: 10-15 participants

Workload and ECTS

The workload is 15 hours per module (including pre-reading and assignments). To receive ECTS, a learning contract needs to be created (2 modules = 30 hours = 1 ECTS, 4 modules = 60 hours = 2 ECTS).

Course fee

The course is free of charge for University of Basel PhD students of the Faculty of Medicine and of Swiss TPH.

Other participants pay CHF 750 per module (including course materials)

The Department of Clinical Research (DKF) offers training grants for members of DKF clinical research groups. Applications for training grants can be submitted when registering for the program. Please note that training grants can only be offered to DKF clinical research group members, who are working at the group leaders’ local study center.