Methodology of Epidemiological Studies

The design and conduct are key parameters of a successful, high-quality study that has a chance to be published in a prestigious peer-reviewed journal. This approach is often underestimated by postgraduate students and researchers, which can negatively affect the overall outcome of an epidemiological study.
This course should help participants better understand methodology in the context of study results, including the publication process. To meet the objectives of this course, the strategy of interpretation from the apparent end—i.e., from the publication of results to the preparation of the study, including its registration in international databases—was chosen. Participants will thus have the opportunity to learn about procedures that ensure transparency in the conduct of the study and lead to results with a declared and demonstrable level of risk of bias. This should result in a high-quality study.
The course will be taught both in a face-to-face and self-study format. The face-to-face teaching will consist of a total of five modules focusing on study publication, principles of epidemiological studies, preparation of documentation, study synthesis, and maintenance of the study database. The self-study component will focus on good clinical practice, available free of charge through e-learning provided by the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (NDAT CTN).