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EPM5007 - Design of randomised controlled trials

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Leader(s): Associate Professor P Ryan

Offered

Alfred Hospital Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will introduce randomised comparisons as a major tool used in medical
research and the basis of providing evidence for improving clinical practice. By
developing problems based on clinical questions, the need and value of different
experimental designs will be introduced and expanded. Within this context, issues
with regards to randomisation, clinical study design and analysis interpretation will
be developed. Efficiency issues such as sample size and power will be introduced at
appropriate points in the unit.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Identify the benefits of randomisation as a mechanism for reduction and balancing
bias, and implement a variety of randomisation schemes.
  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles behind the common experimental designs
and be able to implement, analyse and interpret data from a variety of randomised
designs
  1. Describe the efficiency advantages of crossover designs, and be able to design,
analyse and interpret the two-period crossover study.
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles underlying Phase I , II and III and IV
studies as well as an appreciation of the scientific basis underlying issues in clinical
studies including intention-to-treat, blinding, interim analyses, subgroup analyses and
the reporting thereof
  1. Appreciate the importance of sample size in clinical studies, and perform sample size
calculations for a variety of trial designs with different outcomes

Assessment

3 Written Assignments (20% each)
1 Final Assignment (40%)

Contact hours

Off campus students:
Twelve hours per week, consisting of (on average) 4 hours per week for reading core
material, 4 hours per week completing exercises (manual, computer-based, or on-line), 2 hours per week for on-line communication with teaching staff or students via WebCT, and 2 hours per week for assignment preparation. No residential component is required for this subject.

Prerequisites

EPM5002

Co-requisites

EPM5003

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/pgrad

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