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Dennis Mook-Kanamori, Frits Rosendaal, and Johanna (Anske) G. van der Bom

Health care professionals increasingly have to make clinical decisions in aging and diverse populations. Also, they have to deal with rising health care costs, fragmented health care supply and advancing medical technologies and IT systems. These developments go beyond every day practice and will require new skills. In this course we will walk you through key steps in designing a research study, from formulating the research question to common pitfalls you might encounter when interpreting your results. We will focus primarily on analytical studies used in etiological research, which aims to investigate the causal relationship between putative risk factors (or determinants) and a given disease or other outcome. However, the principles we will discuss hold true for most research questions, and you will also encounter these study designs in prognostic and diagnostic research settings.

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Health care professionals increasingly have to make clinical decisions in aging and diverse populations. Also, they have to deal with rising health care costs, fragmented health care supply and advancing medical technologies and IT systems. These developments go beyond every day practice and will require new skills. In this course we will walk you through key steps in designing a research study, from formulating the research question to common pitfalls you might encounter when interpreting your results. We will focus primarily on analytical studies used in etiological research, which aims to investigate the causal relationship between putative risk factors (or determinants) and a given disease or other outcome. However, the principles we will discuss hold true for most research questions, and you will also encounter these study designs in prognostic and diagnostic research settings.

This course is part of a Master's program Population Health Management at Leiden University (currently in development), which includes nine courses on Coursera (including this one). If you are interested in learning more about the Population Health Management approach follow the course "Population Health: Fundamentals of Population Health Management" on Coursera.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Study Design
Welcome to Population Health: Study Design! In this module you will get to know what the scope is of this course and you will learn how to be successful at online studying.
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Design
In this module you will start to formulate a research question. You will be introduced to the most important study designs in epidemiology, and work out which study design fits your specific research question.
Measures
In this module you will calculate frequency and effect measures, and apply them to your own research questions. In addition, you will practice with constructing a life table and drawing a Kaplan-Meier curve.
Confounding and bias
In this module different types of error will be discussed, which can be either random or systematic in nature. Subsequently, you will learn to recognize bias and confounding. You will additionally gain hands-on experience with standardisation.
Inference
In this module you will calculate with averages, learn basic principles of causal inference, and be introduced to the concepts of regression to the mean and intention to treat.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches study designs in epidemiology, which is standard in medical research
Taught by instructors recognized for their work in population health management
Part of a Master's program in Population Health Management, indicating comprehensiveness
Requires basic principles of causal inference, which assumes some background in statistics
Focuses on analytical studies, which may be of less relevance to qualitative researchers

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Reviews summary

Well-received study design course

Learners say this course is engaging and perfect for beginners. It also has highly motivated teachers who use world examples in their lessons.
Accessible for those new to study design.
"A perfect course for a beginner like me."
Teachers are motivated and provide real-world examples.
"Teachers I highly motivated, they have worked hard to give world examples and practical ones"
Could use more in-depth information.
"need more details and facts"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Population Health: Study Design with these activities:
Follow online tutorials on statistical software
Following online tutorials will help you develop proficiency in using statistical software, which is essential for data analysis in this course.
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Show steps
  • Identify reputable online tutorials or courses for statistical software.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step and practice the exercises.
  • Apply what you learn to small datasets or examples.
Review Introductory Epidemiology
Understanding the basics of epidemiology will help you understand how to design and conduct research studies.
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  • Revisit your notes from previous epidemiology courses or textbooks.
  • Take practice quizzes or exams to test your understanding.
Review linear regression and statistics
Reviewing linear regression and statistics will enhance your understanding of the fundamental concepts covered in this course.
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  • Review notes and textbooks from previous courses on linear regression and statistics.
  • Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.
  • Go through online tutorials or videos to refresh your memory.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Practice Calculating Measures of Frequency and Effect
Calculating measures of frequency and effect is a core skill in research. This activity will provide you with practice and help you become more proficient in these calculations.
Browse courses on Measures of Association
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  • Find online tutorials on calculating measures of frequency and effect.
  • Work through the tutorials and complete the practice exercises.
Solve practice problems on measures of frequency and effect
Solving practice problems will reinforce your understanding of how to calculate and interpret measures of frequency and effect.
Browse courses on Statistical Measures
Show steps
  • Find practice problems in textbooks, online resources, or previous assignments.
  • Work through the problems and check your answers.
  • Review the concepts of measures of frequency and effect to identify any areas where you need further clarification.
Participate in a Study Design Workshop
Collaborating with peers can help you refine your research question and study design. This activity will provide you with an opportunity to share your ideas and receive feedback from others.
Browse courses on Study Design
Show steps
  • Find a study design workshop or group that aligns with your research interests.
  • Attend the workshop or group and actively participate in the discussions.
  • Share your research question and study design with the group and seek feedback.
Design a research proposal on a health-related topic
Designing a research proposal will provide you with hands-on experience in applying the concepts of study design and research methods.
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  • Identify a research question and formulate a hypothesis.
  • Conduct a literature review to gather background information.
  • Choose an appropriate study design and methodology.
  • Develop a data collection plan and analysis strategy.
  • Write a comprehensive research proposal.
Practice Identifying Confounders and Bias
Identifying confounders and bias is critical for conducting valid research studies. This activity will provide you with practice in identifying these potential threats to validity.
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  • Find online practice drills on identifying confounders and bias.
  • Complete the practice drills and review your answers.
Create a presentation on a specific research design
Creating a presentation will allow you to synthesize your knowledge of research design and effectively communicate it to an audience.
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  • Choose a research design topic that interests you.
  • Research and gather information on the topic.
  • Develop a presentation outline and structure.
  • Design engaging slides and visuals.
  • Practice your presentation and deliver it to classmates or peers.
Develop a Research Question and Study Design
Developing a clear research question and study design is essential for conducting a successful research study. This activity will guide you through the process of developing these key components.
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Show steps
  • Identify a topic of interest and formulate a specific research question.
  • Research different study designs and select the most appropriate one for your research question.
  • Develop a detailed plan for your study, including the data collection methods and analysis methods.
Compile a collection of resources on study design and research methods
Compiling a collection of resources will provide you with a valuable reference for future studies and research projects.
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Show steps
  • Identify and gather relevant articles, books, websites, and other resources.
  • Organize the resources logically and categorize them by topic.
  • Annotate the resources with brief summaries or notes.

Career center

Learners who complete Population Health: Study Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Biostatistician
A Biostatistician applies statistical methods to solve problems in biology, medicine, and public health. They design and analyze studies to investigate the relationship between exposure to certain factors and the development of disease. This course in Population Health: Study Design would be beneficial to a Biostatistician because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which is essential for conducting valid and reliable research. The course covers topics such as formulating research questions, selecting appropriate study designs, calculating frequency and effect measures, and recognizing bias and confounding.
Epidemiologist
An Epidemiologist researches the causes of disease and other health problems in populations. They design and conduct studies to investigate the relationship between exposure to certain factors and the development of disease. This course in Population Health: Study Design would be beneficial to an Epidemiologist because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which is essential for conducting valid and reliable research. The course covers topics such as formulating research questions, selecting appropriate study designs, calculating frequency and effect measures, and recognizing bias and confounding.
Medical Doctor
A Medical Doctor diagnoses and treats diseases and injuries. They also provide preventive care and counseling to patients. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Medical Doctor because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the causes and treatment of disease.
Nurse
A Nurse provides care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They assess patients' conditions, administer medications, and provide emotional support. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Nurse because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the causes and treatment of disease.
Health Educator
A Health Educator develops and implements programs to promote health and prevent disease. They work with individuals, groups, and communities to provide information and support on a variety of health topics. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Health Educator because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of health education programs.
Public Health Administrator
A Public Health Administrator plans and implements programs to protect and improve the health of the public. They work with government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to address health issues such as disease prevention, environmental health, and access to healthcare. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Public Health Administrator because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of public health programs.
Health Policy Analyst
A Health Policy Analyst researches and analyzes health policy issues. They provide information and recommendations to policymakers on how to improve the health of the public. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Health Policy Analyst because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of health policies.
Health Economist
A Health Economist applies economic principles to healthcare issues. They analyze the costs and benefits of different healthcare interventions and policies. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Health Economist because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the cost-effectiveness of healthcare interventions.
Healthcare Consultant
A Healthcare Consultant provides advice and guidance to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations. They work with clients to identify problems and develop solutions. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Healthcare Consultant because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of healthcare consulting services.
Healthcare Manager
A Healthcare Manager plans, organizes, and directs healthcare services. They work with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive quality care. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Healthcare Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of healthcare management practices.
Medical Writer
A Medical Writer creates and edits medical content for a variety of audiences. They work with healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public to provide information on health topics. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Medical Writer because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of medical writing.
Pharmacist
A Pharmacist dispenses medications and provides information on their use to patients. They also work with other healthcare professionals to manage patients' drug therapy. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Pharmacist because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of pharmacy services.
Physical Therapist
A Physical Therapist helps patients restore movement and function after an injury or illness. They develop and implement treatment plans to help patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Physical Therapist because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions.
Speech-Language Pathologist
A Speech-Language Pathologist assesses and treats speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They work with patients to improve their communication skills and overall quality of life. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to a Speech-Language Pathologist because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of speech-language pathology interventions.
Occupational Therapist
An Occupational Therapist helps patients develop and improve the skills they need for everyday living. They work with patients to improve their physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. This course in Population Health: Study Design may be useful to an Occupational Therapist because it provides a foundation in the principles of study design, which can be helpful for understanding and conducting research on the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Population Health: Study Design.
Classic textbook in epidemiology. Many students taking an introductory course in epidemiology will use this book. It comprehensive and authoritative reference on the principles and methods of epidemiology. Written for students but useful for practitioners as reference.
Comprehensive encyclopedia of epidemiology. It valuable resource for students and researchers who want to learn more about this important field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of epidemiology for public health practice. It valuable resource for students and researchers who want to learn more about this important field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the statistical methods used in epidemiology. It valuable resource for students and researchers who want to learn more about these important statistical methods.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the biostatistical methods used in epidemiology. It valuable resource for students and researchers who want to learn more about these important statistical methods.
Provides a comprehensive overview of regression modeling, including both linear models and logistic regression. It valuable resource for students and researchers who want to learn more about these important statistical methods.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the analysis of survival data. It valuable resource for students and researchers who want to learn more about this important statistical method.
Provides a clear and concise introduction to the principles of epidemiology. It valuable resource for students and researchers who want to learn more about this important field.

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