Clinical Investigation Training Program Public Health Electives
Health Services and Outcomes Research
Economic Evaluation in Health Care (2 credits)
Instructor(s):
Bruce Schackman, PhD
Email: brs2006@med.cornell.edu
Phone: (646) 962-8043
This advanced course provides an in-depth exposure to techniques used by health economists and other health services researchers to conduct economic evaluations of health care technologies and programs. Participants learn how to critique economic evaluations using cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit approaches, and are introduced to tools they can use to apply these techniques in their own research projects.
Statistical Methods for Observational Studies (2 credits)
Instructor(s): Heejung Bang, PhD, MS
Email: heb2013@med.cornell.edu
Phone: (646) 962-8015
This course introduces students involved in clinical research to the distinction between randomized clinical trials and observational study. It discusses the statistical background for causal inference and teaches statistical methods such as propensity score analysis and instrumental variable analysis for drawing the best possible inference from observational studies. Published literature utilizing large secondary databases such as NHANES and SEER-Medicare are discussed to motivate future studies that can be planned. Steps for systematic literature review and various methodologies for meta-analysis will be taught. At the end of the course, students should be able to rigorously design and write data analysis plans for observational studies. They should also be able to analyze data (using Stata) for summarizing epidemiological studies, for using multiple regression analyses (linear, logistic, and survival), to adjust for confounders, and for performing propensity score analysis and meta-analysis.
Survey Research & Questionnaires Design (2 credits )
Instructor(s): Kenneth Griffin, PhD, MPH
Email: kgriffin@med.cornell.edu
Phone: (646) 962-8051
This course provides an overview of survey research methods for health-related research with patients, providers, community members, or other population groups. Students learn the conceptual and practical aspects of collecting self-report data from research participants (e.g., behaviors, intentions, knowledge, attitudes, etc). Topics include measurement terminology, psychometric properties (reliability and validity), advantages and disadvantages of different assessment strategies and data collection modalities, matching research questions to variables and measurement strategies, and ways to efficiently recruit and retain participants in survey research. Practical aspects of survey design are covered including questionnaire format and layout, characteristics of good survey items, pilot testing, item reduction, and ways to minimize survey and item non-response and other potential sources of bias. Students gain an understanding of survey research by designing a research project in their area of interest that involves collecting self-report data.
Advanced Seminars in Ethics of Clinical Research (1 credit)
Instructor(s): Inmaculada de Melo-Martín, PhD, MS
Email imd2001@med.cornell.edu
Phone: (646) 962-8031
Recent public debates about conflicts of interests, exploitation of human subjects, and scientific fraud have brought to the forefront the importance of ethical reflection in the context of biomedical investigations. This course is an examination of various ethical aspects that arise when conducting biomedical research. In order to evaluate such ethical concerns we will review and critically analyze the philosophical underpinnings of current guidelines and regulations for the responsible conduct of research. We will consider different aspects of doing research where moral decision-making is necessary. We will discuss investigators’ responsibilities as members of the scientific community and gatekeepers of public trust in science.
Community Outreach
Community-Based Scientific Research in Health & Aging (2 credits )
Instructor(s): Cary Reid, MD, PhD
Email: mcr2004@med.cornell.edu
Phone: (212) 746-1729
Carla Boutin-Foster, MD, MS
Email: cboutin@med.cornell.edu
Phone: (212) 746-1330 or (212) 746-1607
This course is designed to introduce interdisciplinary researchers to the principles and practices of community-based scientific research in health research, gerontology and geriatrics. The course consists of a series of expert presentations from researchers and practitioners involved in community based research projects intended to benefit older people in New York City. Individual seminar topics will range from theoretical presentations of different models of community-based and other types of translational research models (e.g. CBPR, action research, and related methods that engage community participation), methodological education, ethical issues in community-based research, specific community research projects, and funding and publication issues. A primary emphasis is on exposure to interdisciplinary activities, diverse perspectives, and values provided by researcher and community-practice presenters.
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