MMED8903 Clinical Research Methods

2016

4.5

3 x 1.5-hour independent studies weekly
1 x 50-minute on-line exercises weekly
1 x 50-minute on-line tutorial weekly

1 of MMED8901, MMED8902, MMED8904 has been successfully completed

Knowledge of biomedical science relevant to clinical disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) at a level sufficient to understand the biological basis of disease. A basic knowledge of how to use the Internet and E-mail. Specific knowledge of FLO is not required. No knowledge of clinical research is assumed.

To undertake this topic you should hold a Degree or Diploma in a clinical discipline (eg. medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition/dietetics, pharmacy, clinical psychology) or a degree in biomedical science.

Assignments; On-line Discussions

This topic is intended to meet the needs of clinicians (medical trainees and specialists, nursing and allied health clinicians) wishing to learn more about initiating and conducting research. No prior knowledge or detailed knowledge of research is assumed. The topic is offered as a series of 10 online and paper-based distance-delivered modules addressing the steps involved in developing and undertaking clinical research projects. Students are required to generate a research question relevant to their own work environment, and to apply the principles and processes of epidemiological research, to this research question. Case studies and clinical examples are used throughout to illustrate theoretical concepts in the context of everyday clinical practice. The modules are: Approaching Research; The Clinician as a researcher; Overview of quantitative research methods; Health outcomes; Surveys and questionnaire design; Cohort and Case-control studies; Clinical Trials; Epidemiological measurement and biostatistics; Critical appraisal of literature and Evidence-based Practice; Research proposal and grant writing.

The aims of this topic are:

• To provide clinicians with the knowledge and skills required to plan and undertake clinical research projects or actively participate in a research team; and

• To encourage and facilitate clinicians to undertakeresearch and integrate research into their everyday clinical practice.

Students must demonstrate they can:

• Identify potential areas of research and develop research questions from their own clinical practice

• Effectively access Internet-based resources including databases, online journals and research-related Web sites and perform targeted searches of research literature

• Conduct online discussions with fellow learners and teachers using the FLO Discussion Forum tool

• Make appropriate choice of research type and methodologies when designing research projects

• Choose or develop an appropriate health outcome variable for a particular clinical research question

• Design and prepare a clinical trial protocol

• Be able to read scientific papers and have a reasonable understanding of the methods and results and apply appropriate appraisal criteria

• Design and write a grant proposal

• Have the ability to integrate research issues with clinical skills