Methods in Epidemiological Clinical and Operational Research (MECOR)

Methods in Epidemiological Clinical and Operational Research (MECOR)

Level 1: Introduction to Clinical Research Methods

24th ‐ 29th September, 2012

National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE/ICMR), Chennai in collaboration with American Thoracic Society (ATS) will be conducting a one‐week course on Methods in Epidemiological, Clinical and Operations Research (MECOR) from 24th September to 29th September, 2012 at NIE, Chennai.

OBJECTIVES:

The MECOR Program Level 1 is designed for academic physicians who will be involved in medical research in chest medicine, including TB, sleep medicine, and critical care. Students will learn the fundamentals of posing a testable research question, the various study design options for generating and testing hypotheses, and basic analytic skills. Students will gain an overview of statistics that will help them to collaborate effectively with statistical co investigators.

WHO IS MECOR AIMED AT?

The programme is primarily aimed at physicians and public health professionals who intend to conduct clinical research in the following fields: respiratory medicine (including tuberculosis), sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea), and critical illness (e.g., septic shock, respiratory failure etc). The ideal candidates for the course are the medical graduates doing their post‐graduation or working in medical colleges at entry/middle level (Lecturer/Assistant Professor and Associate Professors).

WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR THE COURSE?

 No prior experience in research is needed.

 Medical degree or advanced degree in related areas such as Medicine, Chest, Tuberculosis, public health, nursing, physical therapy etc.

 Ability to read and speak comfortably in English in classroom and group settings.

 Commitment to attend class for the full week; students will be expected to do preparation before the course and in the evenings. The week's course work is demanding and participants must be willing to free themselves of all other commitments for the week of the course and participate in all class work.

 Participants must be prepared and willing to present their research protocols or week's work on the last day.

HOW DOES THE COURSE WORK?

The MECOR courses are designed to be very interactive. The central component of the course is the development of a research protocol by students working in small groups. Students get a hands‐on experience in how to ask a good research question, what research design to use, what methods to use, and how to analyze the data. The interactive lectures provide the methodologic background for the development of the research protocols. The students present the protocols on the last day. Many students in MECOR courses subsequently go on to carry out the research that they designed during the course.

HOW MUCH IS THE COURSE FEE?

There is no course fee. NIE will provide financial assistance towards the travel (2 tier AC train) and arrange for free accommodation in the hostel. NIE will bear the cost of food and accommodation.

HOW TO APPLY?

Interested candidates are requested to email the completed NIE/MECOR Application Form to mecor2012@gmail.com on or before 15th May, 2012.

Applicants will be notified of the decision regarding the selection of the candidates for the course by June 15th, 2012

Accommodation will be provided in NIE Hostel

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://icmr.nic.in/icmrnews/niv_MECOR.pdf