Clinical and Translational Research

Introduction to Research Methods

Students must take one of the following two courses.

INTRODUCTION TO METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH (PHP2120)

This course introduces students to principles and methods of epidemiologic research, with an emphasis on practical applications.

OR

FOUNDATIONS IN EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH METHODS (PHP 2150)
The overall objective of this course is to provide students with a strong foundation in epidemiologic research methods.

Biostatistics and Applied Data Analysis

Students must complete both of the following two courses.*

BIOSTATISTICS AND APPLIED DATA ANALYSIS I (PHP2507)

AND

BIOSTATISTICS AND APPLIED DATA ANALYSIS II (PHP2508) 

The objective of the year long, two-course sequence is for students to develop the knowledge, skills and perspectives necessary to analyze data in order to answer a public health questions. The year long sequence will focus on statistical principles as well as the applied skills necessary to answer public health questions using data, including: data acquisition, data analysis, data interpretation and the presentation of results. Through lectures, labs and small group discussions, this fall semester course will focus on identifying public health data sets, refining research questions, univariate and bivariate analyses and presentation of initial results. Prerequisite: understanding of basic math concepts and terms.  PHP2507 is offered in the fall and PHP2508 is offered in the spring.  The courses must be completed in the same academic year.

*There is another biostatistics course sequence offered by the Department of Biostatistics at Brown (PHP2510 and PHP2511).  If students are interested in that sequence they should discuss this well in advance with the CTR Academic Oversight Committee, as their permission is required prior to beginning the course.

Advanced Research Methods

Students must take two of the following advanced methods courses.

SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS (PHP2040)

Examines a cornerstone of public health research: sampling and survey methods. Topics include survey design, data collection, and evaluation of results.

CLINICAL TRIALS METHODOLOGY (PHP 2030)

We will examine the modern clinical trial as a methodology for evaluating interventions related to treatment, rehabilitation, prevention and diagnosis. Topics include the history and rationale for clinical trials, ethical issues, study design, protocol development, sample size considerations, quality assurance, statistical analysis, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, and reporting of results. Extensively illustrated with examples from various fields of health care research. Prerequisites: introductory epidemiology and statistics. Pre-requisites: PHP 2030, 2120, 2130.

EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE AND META-ANALYSIS (PHP2415)

Unbiased assessments of the scientific literature by means of research synthesis methods are critical for formulating public health policy, counseling patients or prioritizing future research. We focus on the methods and uses of systematic reviews and meta-analyses and their applications in medicine and health policy. After course completion, and with some direction, students will be able to undertake a basic systematic review or meta-analysis.

ANALYSIS OF POPULATION BASED DATASETS (PHP2430)

Epidemiologic, health services, and social research often conducts "secondary analysis" of existing population-based datasets. Benefits include their representative sampling frames allowing generalizability to larger populations, timeliness, and lower cost. In addition, computer technology makes it possible to link some databases providing richer sources of information. There are several technical and methodological concerns when conducting "secondary analysis." Students will download, link, and analyze several data sets to understand the advantages of these data for health policy analysis as well as understand and apply different analytic methods. Familiarity with statistical analysis software is required. Prerequisites: PHP 2120, and either PHP 2508 (may be taken concurrently) or 2510. Open to graduate and medical students only.

MEDICARE: A DATA BASED POLICY EXAMINATION (PHP2410E)

This course will explore the role of Medicare as America's health insurer for the elderly and disabled through the use of real Medicare insurance claims data, examining how Medicare policy changes in financing and regulation have affected the delivery and receipt of medical services. At the end of the course students will: 1) know the history of important Medicare policy changes; 2) be able to construct aggregated patient case mix acuity adjusted measures of provider quality using insurance claims data; 3) be able to conduct policy analyses using Medicare claims data that are sensitive to standardized coding schemes. Enrollment limited to 15 graduate students. Prerequisite: PHP 2120, 2508, or 2510. Instructor permission required.

Scientific Writing

SCIENTIFIC WRITING IN PUBLIC HEALTH (PHP 2090)

Addresses methodologic and operational issues associated with developing research studies in epidemiology (including clinical trials). Students prepare protocols for research studies in human populations with attention to ethical guidelines and regulations. Students critique completed proposals, are exposed to existing systems for submission and review of funding applications, as well as controversial issues such as conflict of interest.

Topics in Clinical, Translational and Health Services Research

Students must enroll in this half credit course two times to fulfill the one credit requirement.

TOPICS IN CLINICAL, TRANSLATIONAL AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH (PHP 2470) (half credit)

Topics in Clinical, Translational and Health Services Research is a half credit course. Students will choose from a variety of mini-courses and seminars. Students work with their academic advisor to design an appropriate plan for their studies. Students will have the opportunity to gain skills in a range of areas, including STATA, SAS, behavioral interventions, pharmaco-epidemiology, genetics, global health, HIV, and molecular biology, among others. All students must complete mandatory modules on research ethics and human subjects’ protection, including the Brown University Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) overview.