Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Methods

Course code: 3416 ~ Course abbreviation: GradCertClinResMeth ~ Total credit points required: 24 ~ 2 semesters part-time ~ Managing faculty: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Study mode and course location

Off-campus (Alfred Hospital, Melbourne - P/T only)

Course description

This course, offered by the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, targets the needs of health professionals who seek training in the methods used to undertake sound clinical research. It provides the guidance through the many stages required for undertaking research, ie from the development of the research question through to the publication of the study results. The emphasis is on a practical approach to clinical research. This course articulates with the Master of Clinical Epidemiology or can lead to the Master of Public Health. Students will be required to complete compulsory block requirements each semester.

Course objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to: understand the concepts of clinical research, its ethical aspects and principles of good research practice; select the appropriate study design for any given research question; write a research proposal, ethics committee submission and grant application; initiate a research study and appropriately collect the data; and appropriate manage and analyze the research data; and prepare a manuscript for publication.

Course structure

The course comprises four core units.

Course requirements

First semester

MPH1040 Introductory epidemiology
MPH1041 Introductory biostatistics

Second semester

MPH2074 Introduction to clinical research methods
MPH2083 Ethics, good research practice and practical research methods

Assessment

Assessment includes written assignments and examinations.

Contact details

Postgraduate office: telephone +61 3 9903 0563; email pgradenq@med.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/pgrad

Course coordinator

Associate Professor Maximillian de Courten