Research methodology and research protocol development / Course files

Cross-sectional studies

Maryam Hemed

Training course in research methodology and research protocol development 2019

December 2, 2019 - Geneva

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Hemed M. Cross-sectional studies. Paper presented at: Training course in research methodology and research protocol development; 2019 Nov 2; Geneva.

Tasks

• Go over the presentation: Cross-sectional studies - Maryam Hemed.
• Go over the presentation: Randomized controlled trial - Khalifa Elmusharaf.
• Go over the presentation: Systematic review - Karim Abawi.
• Study section 3.2.4 ‘Quantitative versus qualitative research’ on pages 27 and 28 of the document: Fathalla MF, Fathalla MM. A practical guide for health researchers (WHO Regional Publications, Eastern Mediterranean. Series 30). WHO; 2004.

Relevant online resources

Cross-sectional studies

• Levin KA. Study design III: Cross-sectional studies. Evid Based Dent. 2006;7(1):24-5.

Randomized controlled trial

• Consort
• WHO ICTRP
• ClinicalTrials.gov
• Trials
• The SPIRIT Statement

Systematic review

• Cochrane
• The Joanna Briggs Institute
• The Campbell Collaboration
• The Centre for Evidence-based Medicine
• Centre for Reviews and Dissemination

Reference document

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

Assignment

1.1.Examine the ten articles you retrieved in Week 2 and identify all the epidemiological studies and the study designs used.

1.2. Which of the articles are (i) Observational studies and (ii) Experimental studies?

2. Go over the cross-sectional study below.

Nguyen PH, Budiharsana MP. Receiving voluntary family planning services has no relationship with the paradoxical situation of high use of contraceptives and abortion in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study. BMC Women’s Health. 2012 May 28;12(1):14.

Answer the following questions:

2.1. What was the purpose of this study?

2.2. How can you justify the authors’ use of a cross-sectional study design?

3. Go over the randomized control trial below.

Johnston CC, Campbell-Yeo M, Filion F. Paternal vs Maternal Kangaroo Care for Procedural Pain in Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2011 Sep 5;165(9):792–6.

Answer the following questions:

3.1. What was the intervention? 

3.2. Why was a crossover trial design used?

4. Go over the systematic review below.

Gülmezoglu AM, Say L, Betrán AP, Villar J, Piaggio G. WHO systematic review of maternal mortality and morbidity: methodological issues and challenges. BMC Medical Research Methodology. 2004 Jul 5;4(1):16.

Answer the following questions:

4.1. What was the main objective of the systematic review?

4.2. What were the criteria for inclusion of a study in the review?