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Introduction
Are you involved in clinical research and would you like to increase your knowledge of epidemiology and research methodology? Securing methodology in research design is crucial to obtaining valid results. This course focuses on the design of clinical scientific research. Topics covered include formulating a question statement, choosing an appropriate research design, selecting the study population, types of bias and causality. This unique course gives participants concrete tools to optimize the research design and data collection of a study and to critically evaluate scientific articles.
In short
- Education type: post-initial course
- Starting date:
- 23 June 2025
- All course dates: 23, 24, 26 and 27 June 2025
- Language: English (the next Dutch edition is expected in Spring 2026)
- Duration: 4 days
- Cost: €1295 (including lunch) / reduced fee for PhD students from the Radboudumc: €995
- Accreditation: accredited (ABAN) for 24 points
- Subject: Epidemiology, research methodology; health, care and welfare;
- End result: Certificate (optionally supplemented by an exam)
- Location: Huize Heyendael, Radboudumc, Nijmegen
- Coordinators and Teachers: Dr. Femke Atsma and Dr. Femmie de Vegt
- Online or live: Live
For whom?
The target groups for this course are PhD students, healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, paramedics), policy makers and anyone who wants to increase his/her knowledge of research methodology.
Program
The course consists of four days. Each day focuses on an epidemiological topic related to research or a clinical issue. The course is a mix of interactive presentations and small-scale individual and group assignments. Under the guidance of experienced epidemiologists, you will learn to apply the information to scientific articles and your own practice situation. You will also have the opportunity to consult teachers and refine your own research methodologically.
Topics:
- Problem analysis and research question
- Study population and samples
- Traditional study designs for clinical trials and observational research
- Advanced designs for randomized and non-randomized clinical trials (stepped-wedge trials, case-crossover trials, before-after designs, interrupted time series)
- Advanced designs for observational research and methods for sampling (case-control studies, cohort studies, case-cohort studies, nested case-control studies, exclusive sampling, inclusive sampling, density sampling)
- Validity and different main forms and subtypes of bias
- Various models of causality
Learning objectives
- Be able to identify and describe a population-based health problem and research question in a clinical setting.
- Be able to choose the appropriate research population and method of data collection to fit the research question.
- Understand various forms of randomized and non-randomized clinical trials and be able to choose the appropriate research design for a specific research question.
- Understand various forms of observational research and be able to choose the appropriate research design to fit a specific research question.
- Understand various sampling methods and be able to choose an appropriate sample to fit the chosen research design.
- Understand the different types of bias in research and learn how to minimize bias.
- Be able to explain and apply various models of causality.
Literature
Central to the course: Browner SB, Newman TB. Designing clinical research. 5th edition. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2022. This book will be given to you on the first day of the course.
End result
- Certificate
- Study load is 2.0 EC, this includes 12 hours of preparation and self-study
- Optionally, you conclude with an exam (scheduled for July 4, 2025). In that case the load is 2.5 EC
Accreditation
This course is accredited by: Accreditatie Bureau Algemene Nascholing (ABAN) for 24 points.
Course coordinators / teachers
"Formulating a good research question is essential for the design of your research."
Dr. Femke Atsma, epidemiologist B / methodologist
Femke is an experienced epidemiologist with extensive knowledge of research methodology and statistics. She is involved as a methodological advisor in all kinds of research at the Radboudumc. She also teaches epidemiology and methodology to biomedical science students. As a researcher, she conducts studies on quality of care, appropriate care and the implementations of health innovations and supervises several PhD students.
"Well-designed research leads to optimized data collection and reliable research results."
Dr. Femmie de Vegt, associate professor epidemiology education
Femmie is associate professor of Epidemiology Training and Education. She is a teacher and coordinator in multiple epidemiology and research methodology courses within the undergraduate and graduate curricula of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine at Radboudumc. Her research focuses on epidemiological and educational research, with a focus on lifestyle, prevention, and science education.
Dates:
- 23, 24, 26 & 27 June 2025
with an optional exam on July 4, 2025
Course language: English
Costs: €1295 (including lunch & Browner's book 'Designing clinical research'). There is a reduced rate for PhD students at Radboudumc: €995,-.
Location: Huize Heyendael, Radboudumc, Nijmegen
Dutch edition expected in spring 2026.
View the general terms and conditions here. How we handle your data can be read in the Radboudumc student privacy policy.
More information? Please contact Femke Atsma or Femmie de Vegt
To register
Please register by filling out this form.
Deadline for application:
-
June 2025 edition: May 1, 2025
If you would like to be informed about the next course, please notify us by using this link.
