Trent RDSU - Courses/Advice > Short Courses Timetable

Courses/Advice > Short Courses Timetable > Nottingham

The following timetable lists the course events that are run by the Nottingham RDSU unit. The courses themselves may run either at the Notthingham base or at venues within the local area.

The course titles are linked to work documents giving full descriptions of the course contents, aims and background information about the tutors.

Quantitative Research Methods
Health Economics
Qualitative Research Techniques
Information Resources
Other

Quantitative Research Methods	Dates	Learning Objectives
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Can be booked aas 1 half day or 1 full day Systematic Review am Meta-analysis pm	15/10/08	Systematic Review Understand what a systematic review is Learn the key elements of a systematic review How to conduct a systematic review Meta-analysis 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
Basic Statistics - Data Management and Introduction to SPSS 1 half day	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
Basic Statistics - Describing and Exploring Data in SPSS 1half day	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
Basic Statistics - Examining and Comparing Data With Confidence Intervals and P Values 1 half day	18/11/08	Understand the concepts of hypothesis testing and confidence intervals Interpret the results of a statistical test Interpret and calculate confidence intervals
Basic Statistics - Analysing Continuously Measured Data 1 half day	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
Basic Statistics - Analysing Categorical Data 1 half day	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
Basic Statistics - Sample Size Calculation 1 half day	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

Note:
Assumed skills/knowledge
Basic Statistics - Basic computer literacy, familiarity with Windows environment and spreadsheets (eg. Excel). No prior knowledge of SPSS is required.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - No prior knowledge or skills required.

The Basic Statistics Courses are only bookable as a 3 day course.

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Health Economics	Dates	Learning Objectives
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 the QALY. To discuss the use of economic analysis in decision making.

Qualitative Research Techniques	Dates	Learning Objectives
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
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

Note:
Assumed skills/knowledge
Some research knowledge may be useful but not necessary

Information Resources	Dates	Learning Objectives
Information for Social Care 1 half day	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 resources 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
Literature Searching for Qualitative Research 1 half day	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
Literature Searching for Systematic Reviews 1 half day	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

Note:
Assumed skills/knowledge
Please note that participants MUST be confident in using Microsoft Windows.

Other	Dates	Learning Objectives
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 parts of the research process Understand when to use a quantitative approach to research, and what this involves Understand when to use a qualitative approach to research, an what this involves
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

Note:
Assumed skills/knowledge
Introduction to Research Methods/Process - No prior knowledge or skills required.

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Courses/Advice > Short Courses Timetable > Nottingham