Research+Methods+Course+Timeline

==== NOTE: The pdf links are required reading for each month and will cover the main topics that we will discuss each month. Supplemental reading from Intuitive Biostatistics by Motulsky is included where appropriate for further clarification. This is suggested reading to help clarify concepts that you find difficult from the required reading. ====

July 2017
The Basics of Data Descriptive Statistics
 * 1) Data Scales
 * 2) Normal vs. Non-normal Distribution
 * 3) Parametric vs. Non-parametric Data
 * 1) Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
 * 2) Measures of Variability: Standard Deviation, Standard Error of the Mean, Interquartile Range, and Range

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the definition of categorical, ordinal, and continuous variables Understand the normal distribution and the use of normal approximation in statistical analysis Know the difference between standard deviation (SD) and standard error of the mean (SEM)

Supplemental Reading: Intuitive Biostatistics Chapters 1-3, 7-11

Classic article:

August 2017
Sampling and Estimation
 * 1)  Confidence Intervals
 * 2) Upper limit of the 95% Confidence Interval when the number of observations is 0

Measures of Validity/Reliability
 * 1)  Inter-rater Reliability (Kappa)

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the advantages of confidence interval in the interpretation of results

(Confidence Intervals section)

Supplemental Reading: Intuitive Biostatistics Chapters 4-6, 12-13

Classic article:

September 2017
Measuring Performance of Diagnostic Tests
 * 1) Sensitivity and Specificity
 * 2) Positive and Negative Predictive Value
 * 3) Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves
 * 4) Likelihood Ratio and Bayesian Theory

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the definition and method of calculation of sensitivity Know the definition and method of calculation of specificity Know the definition and method of calculation of positive predictive value Know the definition and method of calculation of negative predictive value Know the limitations of positive and negative predictive values in relationship to disease prevalence when comparing diagnostic tests Know the interpretation and application of receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) Know the meaning of the clinical "likelihood ratio" (LR) and its effect on post-test odds of disease



Supplemental Reading: Intuitive Biostatistics chapter 42

Classic article:

October 2017
Measures of Risk and Odds Measuring Performance of Therapies
 * 1) Relative Risk and Absolute Risk
 * 2) Odds Ratio
 * 1) Absolute Risk Reduction and Absolute Benefit Increase
 * 2) Number Needed to Treat and Number Needed to Harm

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the definition and methods of calculation of absolute reduction in risk (ARR) and number needed to treat (NNT) Know the use of odds ratios in the interpretation of results

[|Lang and Secic, How to Report Statistics in Medicine Pages 19-30]

Supplemental Reading: Intuitive Biostatistics chapters 27 and 28

Screencast: https://vimeo.com/52363981

Classic article:

November 2017
Hypothesis Testing
 * 1) The Null Hypothesis
 * 2) Type I and Type II error
 * 3) Statistical Power and Sample Size Estimates
 * 4) Parametric Statistical Inference Tests: t-test and ANOVA
 * 5) Non-parametric Statistical Inference Tests: Chi-Square test and Variants, Rank Tests of Non-parametric Data
 * 6) "Statistically Significant" vs. "Biologically Meaningful"

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the definition of the "null hypothesis" Know the assumptions necessary to use parametric statistics (eg, t test) Know the advantages and disadvantages of nonparametric tests (eg, Wilcoxon test) Know the factors that contribute to type I and type II errors Know the assumptions in choosing the proper statistical test for data analysis Know the difference between "statistically significant" and "biologically meaningful" Understand the use of the central limit theorem in justifying the use of the normal approximation in choosing a statistical test

(Starting with "Hypothesis Testing" section)

Supplemental Reading: Intuitive Biostatistics chapters 15, 16, 18, 19, 26-28, 30, 31, 39-41

Screencast: http://vimeo.com/51684565

Classic article:

December 2017
Measuring the Relationships between Variables


 * 1)  Correlation
 * 2)  Regression

Statistical Models

Statistical Power and Sample Size Determinations
 * 1) Multiple Linear Regression
 * 2) Multiple Logistic Regression

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the importance of sample size determinations in research Know the role of power calculations in research planning Know the strengths and limitations of regression analysis (eg, what hypothesis is tested by regression analysis, the limitations of the R and R-squared statistics, and the use of "fit" versus "prediction" confidence intervals



Supplemental Reading: Intuitive Biostatistics chapters 20, 32-38, 43

Classic article:

January 2018
The Skeleton of a Research Paper
 * 1)  Proper Organization of a Research Paper
 * 2)  The Relationship Between Definitions and Conclusions

(Read chapter 1, "Structure of a scientific paper", chapters 2-7 are for reference)

[|ICJME: Preparing a Manuscript for Submission to a Biomedical Journal]

Classic article:

February 2018
Bias, Confounding, and Error The Multiple Comparisons Problem

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the concept of "confounding" as it applies to statistical analysis Know some common sources of bias in research (eg, ascertainment bias, recruitment bias, recall bias) Know methods to correct for the limitations of multiple comparisons



Supplemental Reading: Intuitive Biostatistics chapters 22, 23

Classic article:

March 2018
Study Design, The "Rosetta Stones"
 * 1) Prospective vs. Retrospective Studies
 * 2) Descriptive Studies: Case Reports, Case Series, Cross-Sectional Studies
 * 3) Evaluative/Analytical Studies: Cohort Studies, Case Control Studies
 * 4) Experimental Studies: Randomized Controlled Trials, Non-randomized Controlled Trials
 * 5) Synthesis Studies: Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses
 * 6) Intention-to-Treat Analysis
 * 7) Paired/Matched Study Design

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know study designs commonly used in epidemiologic research Know the differences in the implications of a case control, cohort, and randomized controlled study Know the rationale behind randomized trials Know the implications of prospective versus retrospective data collection in clinical research Know the concept of meta-analysis and its limitations Know the definition and purpose of "intention to treat" analysis Know the advantages and disadvantages of paired or matched research designs Know when a matched-pairs statistical test is appropriate Know the techniques of evidence-based medicine used to extract information from published research that is applicable to one's own patients (Second half of the article)

Classic article:

April 2018
The Presentation of Results
 * 1) Patient Flow Diagrams
 * 2) Tables
 * 3) Graphs
 * 4) Figures

Reference reading: [|Lang and Secic, Part IV: Guidelines for presenting data and statistics in tables and figures.]

Classic article:

May 2018
Research Conduct
 * 1) Informed Consent
 * 2) Human and Animal Rights
 * 3) The Role of the IRB
 * 4) HIPAA
 * 5) Forms of Scientific Misconduct
 * 6) Conflicts of Interest
 * 7) Investigator/Co-Investigator Responsibilities
 * 8) Responsibilities of a Valid Author

Content Outline Learning Objectives: Know the required components of an informed consent document Know the ethical issues that complicate obtaining informed consent in young children Know the ethical issues affecting informed consent in older children and adolescents (also see here) and how these may be addressed Know the issues raised by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the informed consent process Know the requirements for waiver of consent in emergency research Know the role of the institutional review board in approving research projects involving human subjects` Know the basic rights of humans participating in research Know the role of the investigator in monitoring of human subjects during a clinical trial Know the rights of animals used in research Know the issues raised by HIPAA in clinical research Know the common forms of scientific misconduct Know what constitutes an investigator conflict of interest during the course of a study Know the responsibilities of an investigator or co-investigator in the proper conduct of research Know the responsibilities required of a valid author in scientific publications [|Department of Health and Human Services website] Classic article:

June 2018
Quiz Show No classic article