Postgraduate Training Network for Research in Reproductive Health
Learning objectives : Research Methodology
This is a 2 weeks module. At the end of the module, participants will be able to:
Describe the characteristics of the different study designs used in clinical research
- Randomised controlled trial (individual and cluster)
- Cohort study
- Case-control study
- Cross sectional study
Understand when to apply a certain study design and describe its advantages and disadvantages
Explain the terms
- Bias
- Confounding
- Effect modification
and their relevance in clinical research
Describe the different research strategies in social science
- types of questionnaire
- qualitative research
Understand when to apply a certain study design and describe its advantages and disadvantages
Define and understand the role of screening in reproductive health
- primary/secondary/tertiary prevention
- lead time/length time bias
- accuracy of test results
Discuss the different methodological issues involved in:
- measuring maternal mortality
- indicators used
- definitions
- maternal mortality rate
- using fetal anthropometry for assessing maternal nutritional status
- indicators
- growth reference study
Discuss basic statistical methods used to analyse medical data
- strategies for different study types
- risk/rate/relative risk/odds ratio
- intention to treat analysis
- principles of sample size calculation
Discuss the ethical issues involved in reproductive health when conducting clinical research:
- principles of ethical theories
- process of informed decision making
- health and human rights
- current controversies
Explain the terms
- research synthesis
- systematic review
- evidence based medicine
and their importance in clinical research
Critically read, appraise and interpret medical scientific literature within the frame of research synthesis and evidence based medicine
Use the Cochrane and the WHO Reproductive Health Library
Edited by Aldo Campana,