Assignment

Module 3

Epidemiologic studies

Training course in research methodology, research protocol development and scientific writing 2024

September 18, 2024 - Geneva

A. Required readings

• Go over the presentation: Epidemiologic studies - Karim Abawi
• Go over the presentation: Cohort studies - Nguyen Thi My Huong
• Go over the presentation: Case-control studies - Karim Abawi
• Go over the presentation: Cross-sectional studies - Maryam Hemed
• Go over the presentation: Randomized controlled trial - Khalifa Elmusharaf
• Study section 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Chapter 4 ‘Planning the research’ on pages 43 to 49 of the document: Fathalla MF, Fathalla MM. A practical guide for health researchers (WHO Regional Publications, Eastern Mediterranean. Series 30). WHO; 2004.

B. Assignment

Complete and submit the short paperwork assignment.

Additional online resources

• Clinical Epidemiology Glossary. Evidence Based Medicine Toolkit
• Epidemiology Glossary | Data and Statistics | Reproductive Health | CDC
• Levin KA. Study design III: Cross-sectional studies. Evid Based Dent. 2006;7(1):24-5.
• Mann C. Observational research methods. Research design II: cohort, cross sectional, and case-control studies. Emerg Med J. 2003 Jan;20(1):54–60.
• Song JW, Chung KC. Observational Studies: Cohort and Case-Control Studies. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010 Dec 2019;126(6):2234–42.

Randomized controlled trial

• ClinicalTrials.gov
  A database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• EQUATOR Network (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research)
  An international initiative that seeks to improve the reliability and value of published health research literature by promoting transparent and accurate reporting and wider use of robust reporting guidelines. The website has links to reporting guidelines for main study types including the CONSORT checklists and E&E documents.
  CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) covers various initiatives developed by the CONSORT Group to lessen the problems resulting from inadequate reporting of randomized controlled trials. It produced the CONSORT Statement, an evidence-based, minimum set of recommendations for reporting randomized trials.
• The SPIRIT Statement
  It provides evidence-based guidance on key issues to address in a protocol in order to facilitate the drafting of protocols and improve their completeness.
• Trials
  Covers all aspects of the performance and findings of randomized controlled trials in health. Publishes articles on general trial methodology and research into trial processes, in addition to study protocols and statistical analysis plans for randomized controlled trials, commentaries and traditional results papers.
• WHO ICTRP
  The WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform has a mission to ensure that a complete view of research is accessible to all those involved in health care decision making, to improve research transparency and to ultimately strengthen the validity and value of the scientific evidence base.

Useful videos

• Observational Studies (Cochrane Austria)
• Randomized Controlled Trials (Cochrane Austria)
• Confounding, chance, and bias (Cochrane Austria)
• Measures of effect (Cochrane Austria)
• Intention-to-treat (ITT) and other forms of data analysis (Cochrane Austria)

Reference document

• Fathalla MF, Fathalla MM. A practical guide for health researchers (WHO Regional Publications, Eastern Mediterranean. Series 30). WHO; 2004.