Upon completion of this educational event learners should be able to:

1/7/2026:
1. Identify the components of research, including the research question, sample, measurements (variables), and study design.
2. Describe the concepts of internal and external validity.
3. Compare and contrast the study plan and the actual study.
4. Define random and systematic error
5. Outline the steps in developing a research plan, including literature review.
6. Explain the FINE criteria (Feasible, Important, Novel, Ethical).
7. Analyze how choices in design, execution, and analysis affect internal and external validity.

1/14/2026: 
1. Define target population, accessible population, intended sample, and actual sample
2. Apply selection criteria to design a sampling strategy.
3. Demonstrate how to select an appropriate sampling method for a study.
4. Describe principles for enhancing recruitment and retention of participants.
5. Analyze how precision and accuracy influence research outcomes.
6. Classify variables as dichotomous, nominal, ordinal, continuous, or discrete.
7. Implement strategies to improve measurement precision and accuracy.
8. Evaluate the appropriateness of different validity types for a given study.

1/21/2026:
1. Identify the characteristics of a well-formulated research hypothesis.
2. Define null and alternative hypotheses, including one- and two-sided alternatives.
3. Analyze how effect size influences interpretation of results.
4. Differentiate between Type I and Type II errors and the concepts of alpha, beta, and power.
5. Evaluate the impact of multiple hypotheses on statistical interpretation.
6. Explain methods for estimating sample size for descriptive and analytic studies using confidence intervals, t-tests, and chi-squared tests.
7. Identify strategies to enhance statistical power and reduce sample size.

1/28/2026:
1. Define cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort study designs.
2. Calculate prevalence and incidence from given data sets.
3. Describe the concept of follow-up and follow-up time in longitudinal studies.
4. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of prospective and retrospective studies.
5. Compute risk, odds, and rate ratios using sample data.

2/4/2026:
1. Evaluate the suitability of interventions and controls for different study designs.
2. Differentiate between primary and secondary outcomes
3. Describe methods for measuring adverse effects in clinical studies.
4. Explain the purpose and importance of blinding in research.
5. Explain the use and benefits of pilot studies and run-in periods.
6. Describe how disease spectrum affects test performance.
7. Explain what a clinical prediction model is and its purpose.

2/11/2026
1. Analyze examples where bias or reverse causality affects study conclusions.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of different confounding control methods.
3. Describe the components of DAGs, including colliders, shared effects, mediation, and suppression.
4. Evaluate implications of effect modification for study interpretation.

03/11/2026:
1. Analyze research proposals to identify strengths and weaknesses.
2. Differentiate between “fatal flaws” and acceptable compromises in proposals.
3. Formulate constructive suggestions for improving research proposals.

03/18/2026:
1. Analyze research proposals to identify strengths and weaknesses.
2. Differentiate between “fatal flaws” and acceptable compromises in proposals.
3. Formulate constructive suggestions for improving research proposals.