Postgraduate Course: Trial Designs (MCLM11080)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) can provide valuable information on whether a cause and effect relationship exists between an intervention(s) and outcome. An appropriate trial design must be selected to ensure the RCT addresses the clinical research question.
This course will provide students with the skillset to demonstrate an understanding of a variety of advanced trial designs, and to critically evaluate the design and reporting of them. |
| Course description |
This course will focus on the different types of trial designs that may be used in a RCT. In particular, students will develop their knowledge on a range of trial designs used in phase III RCTs, including cross-over, factorial and adaptive trial designs. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to critically evaluate the benefits, challenges and appropriateness of a chosen trial design to answer a specific clinical research question.
The course will consist of a programme of lectures, peer discussion groups, and independent learning with a required reading list. Students must participate online throughout the course and will have access to supportive tutorials. Students will apply their learning through discussion with peers, online questions, and critically appraising trial reports.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
08/08/2022 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 2,
Online Activities 70,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 10,
Formative Assessment Hours 10,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
92 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
The course will be assessed 100% by course work, consisting of:
- Critical appraisal of a clinical trial(s) 60% (learning outcomes 1 and 2)
- Online questions 20% (learning outcome 1)
- Discussion boards 20% (learning outcomes 1 and 2) |
| Feedback |
Feedback by course tutors will be provided on all of the summative assessments. Feedback on the critical appraisal assessment will be subject specific and consider generic skills such as academic writing. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the rationale underpinning advanced trial designs
- Critically evaluate the benefits, challenges and appropriateness of a trial design to answer a specific clinical research question
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
- Research and enquiry (problem-solving, analytical thinking, critical thinking, knowledge integration and application, handling complexity and ambiguity, digital literacy, numeracy)
- Enquiry and lifelong learning
- Communication
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| Keywords | trial design,randomised clinical trials,clinical trials |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Afshan Dean
Tel: (0131 6)51 5440
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Suzanne Newall
Tel: (0131 6)50 3237
Email: |
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