27 Jan 22. Online learning: Study design

Our online Study design (STUD) course teaches observational study design, imaging as a surrogate outcome in treatment trials, including response to treatment, and distinguishing between associations and causality.

We also cover research question and hypothesis refinement, blinding, randomisation, sample size estimates and feasibility.

You can download our syllabus, which includes all the learning objectives for each module and lecture, here:

 

We offer multiple options for studying Study design:

• As a stand-alone course, gaining university credits:

  • Starts in January / Winter / Semester 2
  • 10 university credits
• As a stand-alone course, without university credits for CPD / CME preparation and FRCR part 1 training:
  • Starts anytime
• Embedded in one of our online degree programmes:
  • Neuroimaging for Research MSc / Dip / Cert
  • Imaging MSc / Dip / Cert

 

We asked Will Hewins, Research Assistant in Clinical Studies of SVD and main tutor for the Study design course, to describe the course in more detail:

 

• Who is the STUD course aimed at?

  • The module is geared towards postgraduates who want to enhance their knowledge of research methods regularly used in neuroimaging study design. The course has been developed to accommodate a range of academic backgrounds and is presented in very manageable recorded lectures students can revisit at any time. The module aims to guide students through a range considerations researchers must make on a regular basis whilst undertaking research.

 

• What can you learn in the STUD course?

  • The STUD course covers a range of topics that have been selected to offer an insight into the technical side of research methodology. Among others, students will develop primary skills such as refining the research hypothesis to more technical expertise surrounding the different methodological approaches we can use to assess these hypotheses.

 

• What benefits can you get from our online study options?

  • The online study option allows for a much more flexible approach to learning whilst still receiving the same high level of support and course content you would expect from classic learning environments. Online learning is particularly beneficial for postgraduates who may have commitments outside of academia and may otherwise struggle to attend in person lectures.

 

• What outcomes / what can you expect at the end of the STUD course?

  • Students can expect to have a solid understanding of the process researchers go through when designing a research project in neuroimaging. The course aims to leave the students with a capacity to tackle real-world research method problems confidently and provide an ability to critically evaluate their own future research.