This online course is run by the Researcher Academy as part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences N-Trans Training Programme

Target Audience: This course is part of the M&HS Faculty Training Programme and N-trans training programme, which are convened by the Researcher Academy.  

Postgraduate Research Students and Research Staff in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences only. Researchers who are based in other faculties, and who are undertaking health and medical-related research may access the online lecture capture resources. If you wish to join the practical web-based session, please email bb-ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk stating ‘MHSESDW’ in the subject field, and why your research requires attendance, to request a place, as soon as possible and no later than 10 working days before the course date.  

Description: An introduction to study design including cross-sectional, case-control, and cohorts study designs. In addition to introduce as key epidemiological concepts of chance, bias and confounding.  

Aims/ Objectives: 

 To understand the key features of epidemiological study design 

Learning outcomes: 

• Know that there are three alternative explanations to the truth for any study finding 
• Understand the concept of sampling error and chance 
• Understand the concept of bias in epidemiology 
• Know some strategies to employ to minimise major types of bias 
• Understand the concept of confounding in epidemiology 
• Know some methods to deal with confounding and when these are appropriate to use 
• To understand the three basic epidemiological study designs 

• Cross-sectional 
• Case-Control 
• Cohort Studies 

Process: Live streamed lecture and practical exercises delivered via Microsoft Teams and Moodle. The total duration of this course is 3 hours.  

Equipment: 

During the live session you will need a laptop/PC, scientific calculator, speakers and ideally a microphone to ask questions/provide responses when appropriate. If you do not have a microphone, then please use the chat feature for questions and discussion. 

You will need to have Microsoft Teams open in a browser/desktop app and viewable at the same time as viewing the course workbook. Please consider how you will participate in advance of joining the session. 

You will need a scientific calculator, that you know how to use, to the session.  A smartphone/app-based calculator may not have sufficient functionality, so we advise that you bring a scientific calculator. 

Course Accessibility

The following table shows a summary of what is needed to participate in the course. 

If you feel you will experience any difficulties participating, please let us know via the ‘special requirements’ tab, providing as much information as possible. The special requirements tab can be completed when you book your place. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk.

Access and/or complete self-study/ pre-course tasks prior to main session(s) on Moodle
Access Moodle for self study
Access MS Teams for live lecture
Attend the live lecture at the specified date and time
Participate in several online platforms at one time
Use MS Teams chat box function during the live lecture
Engage with online materials
Watch and listen to the course tutor(s) and/or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the course
Take part in group activities/ discussions

Booking Conditions 

Our webinars/ online courses are very popular, especially in the current period and we are experiencing large volumes of people on our waiting lists.  

Please do let us know if you would like to cancel your place on this course so we can offer your place to another delegate. 

Please note, attendances for webinars/ online courses will still be recorded and corresponding training points, when shown as available, will be awarded.