Trent RDSU - Courses/Advice > Short Courses Timetable

Courses/Advice > Short Courses Timetable

Trent RDSU offers range of short courses for those interested in health or social care research. The following timetable lists the course events across the region broken down in subject areas. To view the courses run at each unit visit the unit programme page Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield.

The course titles are linked to word documents giving full descriptions of the course contents, aims and background information about the tutors. For a full list of the course descriptions visit the course description page.

Important: Location depicts which Trent RDSU base is running the course. The courses themselves may run at that base or at venues within our region, please consult the course descriptions or booking form for information on where the course will take place.

Quantitative Research Methods
Health Economics
Qualitative Research Techniques
Ethics and Governance
Information Resources
Other

Title	Dates	Learning Objectives	Location
Quantitative Research Methods
Basic Statistics - Data Management and Introduction to SPSS	07/10/08	Understand and handle different types of quantitative data in SPSS Create a clean dataset in SPSS Create simple graphics such as histograms in SPSS Use frequency tables and simple descriptive statistics to check data in SPSS	Leicester
Basic Statistics - Describing and Exploring Data in SPSS	14/10/08	Correctly identify different types of quantitative data, and choose appropriate techniques to describe them Understand and use basic descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, standard deviation and inter-quartile range Be able to present data in tables using SPSS Be aware of the range of graphs available in SPSS, and of the key steps to good practice in data presentation	Leicester
Systematic Review (am) and Meta-analysis (pm)	15/10/08	Understand what a systematic review is Learn the key elements of a systematic review How to conduct a systematic review Distinguish between a Systematic Review & Meta-analysis Describe & perform the main steps in a simple meta-analysis Distinguish fixed & random effects models Identify when a meta-analysis is inappropriate Describe how publication bias may be detected Summarise the advantages/disadvantages of a meta-analysis	Nottingham
Basic Statistics - Examining and Comparing Data With Confidence Intervals and P Values	21/10/08	Distinguish the two main sources of error in study results: bias (systematic error) and random error Calculate some simple confidence intervals Understand how to interpret confidence intervals and the results of statistical tests Realise the implications of precision for study design	Leicester
Basic Statistics - Sample Size Calculation - How Many Patients will I Need?	23/10/08	Understand the following concepts in relation to sample size calculation: Power Significance Level One-tailed and Two-tailed tests Standard Deviation Smallest Clinically Important Difference Other factors affecting sample size Decide on the appropriate sample size for a given experimental design using: Formulae Computer programs Web based programs Sample Size Tables Present the results of a sample size calculation	Leicester
Basic Statistics - Analysing Categorical Data	28/10/08	Understand the need for methods to analyse categorical data, spearate from those needed to analyse continuously measured data Be able to carry out the chi-squared test using SPSS, and to interpret the results Be aware of the assumptions underlying the chi-squared test, and be able to use alternative methods when necessary	Leicester
Basic Statistics - Analysing Continuously Measured Data	28/10/08	Choose, carry out in SPSS and correctly interpret a statistical comparison of two unmatched or matched groups with measured or scale data	Leicester
Describing and Exploring Data Using Excel (2 half day course, participants are expected to attent both sessions 4/11 and 11/11)	04/11/08	Load and access Statplus in Excel Create a clean dataset in Excel Create simple graphics such as histograms using Statplus Use pivot tables and simple descriptive statistics to check data in Excel	Leicester
Introduction to Analysing Survival Time Data	05/11/08	Be aware of the particular nature of survival time data, including ‘censored’ times, and the need to analyse using specific statistical methods Present and interpret survival curves Compare the survival of groups using the logrank test	Leicester
Describing and Exploring Data Using Excel (2 half day course, participants are expected to attent both sessions 4/11 and 11/11)	11/11/08	Correctly identify and summarise different types of quantitative data. Understand and use basic descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, standard deviation and interquartile range Present data in tables using Microsoft Excel Be aware of the range of graphs available in Excel with Statplus, and of good practice in data presentation	Leicester
Further Methods for Analysing Survival Time Data	12/11/08	Understand the concepts of the 'hazard function' and 'hazard ratio' Use the Cox proportional hazards model - to compare groups with adjustment for confounding variables, with awareness of the assumptions and limitations of the model	Leicester
Basic Statistics - Data Management and Introduction to SPSS	17/11/08	Use the statistical package SPSS Identify different types of data Code data appropriately for entry into a statistical package Enter data into SPSS Check datasets for errors and correct these accordingly	Nottingham
Basic Statistics - Describing and Exploring Data in SPSS	17/11/08	Understand frequency distributions Describe data using numerical summaries Present data in tables and graphs Identify the most appropriate methods to summarise and present your data, and use SPSS to produce them	Nottingham
Basic Statistics - Examining and Comparing Data With Confidence Intervals and P Values	18/11/08	Understand the concepts of hypothesis testing and confidence intervals Interpret the results of a statistical test Interpret and calculate confidence intervals	Nottingham
Basic Statistics - Analysing Continuously Measured Data	18/11/08	Identify the most appropriate test to use to analyse different types of categorical data Perform and interpret the results of the following tests: Unpaired t-test Mann-Whitney U test Paired t-test Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test	Nottingham
Further Data Analysis in SPSS	19/11/08	Manipulate different types of quantitative data in SPSSS, and handle missing data Appreciate the role and limitations of ANCOVA and ANOVA in applied health and social care research Be able to carry out and interpret correctly analyses using simple linear regression, ANCOVA and ANOVA using SPSS	Leicester
Basic Statistics - Analysing Categorical Data	19/11/08	Identify the most appropriate test to use to analyse different types of categorical data Perform and interpret the results of the following tests: Chi-squared test Fisher's exact test Chi-squared test for trend McNemar's test	Nottingham
Basic Statistics - Sample Size Calculation	19/11/08	Define significance, power, minimum clinically important difference, allocation ratio Appreciate how each of these affect sample size Calculate sample size using nomograms and tables Present the results of sample size calculations	Nottingham

Note:
Attendees must be comfortable with basic numerical operations such as percentages, fractions and decimals, the rules of arithmetic operations and negative numbers. Please consult the course descriptions to see if prior statistical knowledge is required on that specific course.

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Title	Dates	Learning Objectives	Location
Health Economics
Demystifying Health Economics	07/10/08	To demonstrate the importance of economics in NHS decision making To make participants aware of the aims and key methods of cost effectiveness analysis To introduce the concept of th eQALY To discuss the use of economic analysis in decision making	Nottingham

Title	Dates	Learning Objectives	Location
Qualitative Research Methods
Focus Groups	18/11/08	Consider the appropriate use of focus groups Understand some practical issues involved in the setting up and running of focus groups Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of this data collection method	Nottingham
Introduction to Qualitative Research	18/11/08	An understanding of when qualitative research is appropriate Awareness of different approaches to qualitative research An understanding of the most common methods of data collection in qualitative research Awareness of how qualitative data might be analysed	Nottingham

Title	Dates	Learning Objectives	Location
Ethics and Governance
Research Ethics and Governance	15/10/08	Have an understanding of Ethical approval - the philosophy behind ethical approval, what is a REC and how does it operate, key principles in making a good application. Have an understanding of NHS R&D Approval - why is it necessary, what does it cover and how to navigate the approval process successfully.	Leicester

Title	Dates	Learning Objectives	Location
Information Resources
Information for Social Care	01/10/08	Develop a searchable research question using PICO/CLIP frameworks List the key study designs used for social care research and the terminology used in these studies Identify the key electronic information sources for social care literature Search these in an efficient and accurate manner Evaluate web-based social care resources for accuracy and validity Search for social care systematic reviews using the Campbell Collaboration's database C2-RIPE	Nottingham
Critically Appraising Research	07/10/08	Understand the principles of critical appraisal Know about resources to help you Be able to critically appraise a piece of research	Leicester
Literature Searching for Qualitative Research	07/10/08	Identify the key electronic information sources for qualitative literature List the key study designs used for qualitative research and the terminology used in these studies Search for qualitative research using these terms by developing simple ‘filters’ Search for secondary qualitative research using the Campbell Collaboration’s database C2-RIPE	Nottingham
Literature Searching for Systematic Reviews	07/10/08	Understand the key study designs for a systematic review Explore the full range of databases and know how to select which ones to search Develop a strategy for searching the literature Identify key terms to find high quality studies such as randomised controlled trials Understand the key information about your literature search that should be included in your publications	Nottingham
Literature Searching for Qualitative Research	06/11/07 and 04/03/08	Search for qualitative research in the major health and social care databases such as Medline and CareDATA Look at the key study designs and terminology in the qualitative literature Demonstrates how to search qualitative literature in the major databases by using techniques such as methodological filters	Sheffield
Literature Searching for Research - Introductory	21/10/08	Develop a search question Construct a search strategy Choose an appropriate database/s Search using a variety of techniques Limit their search to increase relevance of results	Sheffield
Critically Appraising Research	11/11/08	Understand the need to appraise research studies Appraise a research study using an established checklist Explore the full range of resources to support critical appraisal Identify sources of critically-appraised research	Sheffield
Searching for Research in Cyberspace	18/11/08	Understand the ways in which the internet can be used for health and social care research Develop a strategy for searching the web Identify key web-based resources for health and social care information Find web-based information both by browsing and searching Appraise web-based information sources according to key quality criteria	Sheffield
Managing References for Your Research	25/11/08	Understand the importance of managing references in the research process. Be aware of some of the major Bibliographic Reference Management Software (BRS) packages. Experience of using one particular package, Endnote, including creating references, importing references from databases such as Medline, and inserting references into a word document using the ‘Cite while you Write’ function	Leicester
Further Literature Searching for Your Research Project	02/12/08	Develop a search strategy which makes best use of subject headings and free-text terms Apply subheadings in a variety of ways to refine their search Identify key study designs that meet their requirements Use simple filters to extract these study designs from the literature Save their search strategy for future use	Sheffield

Title	Dates	Learning Objectives	Location
Other
Introduction to Qualitative Research and Philosophy of Research	14/10/08	Explore the anatomy of research and recognise different parts of the research process Recognise different approaches to research Understand when to use a quantitative approach to reseasrch, and what this involves Understand when to use a qualitative approach to research, and what this involves	Nottingham
Writing for Publication	18/11/08	Understand the structure of a scientific paper Know how to select the best target journals for their work Understand the peer-review process Increase the chances of getting their work published	Leicester
Introduction to the Research Process	03/12/08	Understand the process of research and some of the terminology Make a start on designing your own research project	Nottingham

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Courses/Advice > Short Courses Timetable