Research methodology and research protocol development / Course files

Introduction to study designs

Moazzam Ali

Training course in research methodology and research protocol development 2019

November 25, 2019 - Geneva

Download the complete document

Ali M. Introduction to study designs. Paper presented at: Training course in research methodology and research protocol development; 2019 Nov 25; Geneva.

Tasks

Types of research

• Go over the set of slides: Introduction to study designs - Moazzam Ali (WHO).
• 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.

Epidemiologic studies

• Go over the set of slides: Epidemiologic studies - Karim Abawi.
• Go over the presentation: Cohort studies – Nguyen Thi My Huong (WHO).
• Go over the presentation: Case-control studies – Karim Abawi.
• Study section 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Chapter 4 ‘Planning the research’ on pages 43 to 48 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

• Clinical Epidemiology Glossary. Evidence Based Medicine Toolkit
• Epidemiology Glossary | Data and Statistics | Reproductive Health | CDC
• 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.

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 whether a qualitative or a quantitative study design was used.

1.2. What study design do you propose for your chosen research topic and question? Why?

2. Read the abstract of the cohort study below.

Manson JE, Greenland P, LaCroix AZ, Stefanick ML, Mouton CP, Oberman A, et al. Walking Compared with Vigorous Exercise for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002 Sep 5;347(10):716–25.

Answer the following questions:

2.1. What did the study participants have in common?

2.2. What was the exposure?

2.3. What was the outcome of interest?

3. Read the abstract of the case-control study below.

Heit JA, Silverstein MD, Mohr DN, Petterson TM, O’Fallon WM, Melton LJ. Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Arch Intern Med. 2000 Mar 27;160(6):809-15.

Answer the following questions:

3.1. What was the outcome of interest?

3.2. Which variables were used to match the cases and controls?