RtoP Curriculum guide for undergraduates & new researchers

Choosing and citing references Learning outcomes: ➔ Search published literature for appropriate references ➔ Pick and read relevant references to support key statements ➔ Cite accurately and fully, avoiding plagiarism ➔ Beware of web references ➔ Ignore or contest journal requests for “self citation” ➔ Follow journal advice, using Vancouver or Harvard style.

Picking the best study designs and methods

Study design Learning outcomes:

Observational Studies

➔ Define cohort studies ➔ Distinguish between prospective and retrospective cohorts ➔ Explain the nested case-control design and strategy ➔ Describe the multiple-cohort design ➔ Define cross-sectional studies ➔ Explain why cross-sectional studies yield weaker evidence for causality than cohort studies ➔ Define case-control studies and their benefits and problems ➔ Describe case-crossover studies.

Randomized Blinded Trials ➔ Define randomized blinded trials ➔ Explain how to design RBTs ➔ Describe how to choose the intervention and control conditions ➔ Describe how to define outcomes and adverse effects ➔ Describe how to select participants ➔ Describe how to measure baseline and outcome variables ➔ Evaluate approaches to randomizing and blinding.

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