Good epidemiological practice (GEP): implementation and analysis of global health studies

Over the past decade, two movements have profoundly changed the environment in which global health epidemiologists work: research integrity and research fairness. On one hand, questionable research practices may lead to spurious findings if studies are ill-designed, poorly implemented, inappropriately analysed or selectively reported. On the other hand, local communities, institutions and researchers are too often side-lined from the formulation of research questions, the design and implementation of studies and the dissemination of findings.

Start: 12/12/2022

Duration: 1 week

Location: KIT, Amsterdam

EC: 1,5

Language: English

Course period: from 12/12/2022 until 16/12/2022

Course fee Normal: EUR 770 (tropEd fee EUR 510)

KIT application deadline: 15/10/2022

Contact: courses@kit.nl

This course aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to critically appraise and reflect on epidemiological practice in global health, as a basis for high quality impactful research.

Content

Objectives

This one week course equips participants with the basic skills to critically appraise the implementation and analysis of an epidemiological survey in global health, from planning to reporting and communication.

At the end of the course the participants will be able to:

Recognise and adhere to the fundamental principles of research integrity and research fairness as a premise for good epidemiological practice
Perform basic data management and data analysis of a survey dataset in Stata
Interpret and contrast results from linear and logistic regression analyses (univariate and multivariate)

Course Content

Fundamentals research integrity and research fairness as a premise for good epidemiological practice, covering all steps of an epidemiological survey ranging from study preparation to communication of findings
Purpose and content of a statistical analysis plan and other study documentation to minimize Type I and Type II errors resulting from measurement errors, bias, confounding and effect modification
Sampling approaches for community based and health facility based surveys and introduction to sample size calculation
Basic data management and data analysis with Stata (Contingency tables, Chi-square and t-tests) with Stata using do-files
Interpretation of simple linear and logistic regression (Stata input and output)
Interpretation of multiple regression (Stata input and output) with a focus on its use in controlling for confounding and effect modification
Dissemination and communication of survey results to key stakeholders
Debate: how to balance epidemiological rigour and stakeholder information needs in an epidemiological survey
Exam

Assessment

For participants who wish to be examined a paper or exam can be provided. tropEd students must take an exam at the end of the course.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by tropEd. It can be taken as an advanced module for the Master in International Health programme organised by tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.

Learning methods

Throughout the course, all sessions will be embedded within a practical case study. Participants will be put in the perspective of a panel of experts who need to review the planning and conduct of a nation-wide survey, and advise policy-makers based on its results. Sessions will include lectures, group exercises, discussions, practical sessions with Stata, and a debate.

All study material including preparatory reading will be shared via the KIT online learning platform (Virtual Grounds).

Application

Admission criteria

Having completed the core course (Master of Public Health or International Health) OR Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic training in either medicine or another field related to health care, such as health sciences, economics, social science or nursing.
Successfully completed a statistics and epidemiology course covering measures of association in public health (odds and risk ratios), statistical inference (chi-square ant t-tests), confidence intervals, Type I and Type II errors.
Participants should bring their own computer with Windows installed. A free 1-month Stata licence will be provided for the course.
Computer literacy is expected.
Proficiency in spoken and written English equivalent to a written TOEFL score of 550, iBT TOEFL score of 80, computer based TOEFL score of 213, or an IELTS academic score of 6.0 .

Application procedure

The application package is due two months before the start of the course.

Please upload your application online. The following documents should be uploaded:

A one-page letter of motivation
Copies of your diplomas and grade reports
An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable

What we expect from your motivation letter:
Please indicate in your motivation letter why you want to follow this specific course, why you want to follow the course at KIT Amsterdam, what do you expect to learn and how you will apply your newly gained competencies from the course in your work, what kind of benefits will it bring to your future career, etc. Describe a relevant problem you have experienced in the last two years that you would like to discuss during this specific course. Your motivation should be about ½-1 page. Please do not repeat your CV again.

This course can be taken on its own or as part of the Master in International Health (MIH) programme.

FAQ Online Application System

Do you have a question about our Online Application System? Then you can find the answer in our FAQ Online Application System:

Go to our FAQ Online Application System-page

Practical information

Location

The course takes place at KIT’s historical premises in Amsterdam.

Funding

The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. KIT does not offer financial support or scholarships.

EC

The European Credit Transfer System (EC) facilitates the transfer of course credits between different institutions of the same academic level. A course or module comprising 30 hours of formal teaching and private study is equivalent to one EC credit point.

Accreditation

This course is also accredited for the Master in International Health programme organised by tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.