Course catalogue doctoral education - VT24
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| Title | Key Concepts and Principles for Design and Critical Interpretation of Nordic Register-Based Studies |
|---|---|
| Course number | 3199 |
| Programme | 0-Inte del av forskarutbildningsprogram |
| Language | English |
| Credits | 3.0 |
| Date | 2020-03-30 -- 2020-10-02 | Responsible KI department | Institutet för miljömedicin |
| Specific entry requirements | |
| Purpose of the course | Nordic registers constitute individual-level data in registers and databases, so-called microdata, covering vital events, health aspects, demographic and socioeconomic indicators for the entire populations in the Nordic countries over a period of decades. These features make the combination of Nordic register data an indispensable and powerful resource for answering a multitude of research questions, in a time- and cost-effective manner, and can ultimately provide policy-makers and key actors with new knowledge.
The purpose of this two-week course is to provide participants with knowledge on how registers can and should be used for research purposes. This course will cover central concepts and principles for design and critical interpretation of Nordic register-based studies, taking ethical aspects and legal principles into consideration, and be divided into three aligned modules. The third module will be integrated in the two other modules. |
| Intended learning outcomes | At the end, the student should be able to:
Module 1: - describe theoretical models for causation and discuss the principles of causal mechanisms, - recognise and formulate well-defined research questions and explain how these are related to the choice of study design, - explain and contrast central concepts in epidemiological and sociological life-course research, - explain strengths and weaknesses in common methods and study designs used in register-based research, - apply knowledge, skills and scientific approach when critically reviewing register-based studies as well as when designing studies in this field. Module 2: - reason about how to identify register data to answer the research question under study, - reflect upon different quality aspects, comparability and discrepancies between data sources when combining register data from different countries, - identify and explain possible sources and structures of bias, - evaluate how different sources of bias may influence the findings arising in studies and steps to prevent these, - apply the knowledge attained to identify and reason about potential biases in own research. Module 3: - discuss legal principles and laws that apply to research on personal data, - reason about legal systems that protect individual privacy with respect to how personal data are used and distributed to others, - reason about ethical principles that apply, with specific focus on personal privacy, informed consent and the concept of benefit/harm, - give adequate consideration of ethical aspects and legal principles when handling personal data in relation to own and others´ research projects. |
| Contents of the course | The perspective is Nordic by default, as the course will focus on methodological, practical, ethical and legal aspects of utilising register data from different Nordic countries for research purposes.
Module 1: Central concepts, designs and methods in epidemiological and sociological life-course research. The module focuses on formulation of research questions, central concepts and general principles for study designs and methods commonly used when utilising register data. Designs and methods will be presented in the context of several case studies. Module 2: Identification of data and analysis of bias in registers. The module focuses on major steps in identifying relevant data from different Nordic countries, and comparability and discrepancies between data sources when combining data. We will cover how to identify and prevent different sources of bias, and aspects that should be kept in mind to gain a deeper understanding of when and how bias can occur, as well as the magnitude and possible direction of bias. Issues related to data quality, such as different variable definitions, data collection methods, reporting procedures, completeness and coverage, and how these aspects can vary, for instance over time and between geographic regions, will be highlighted. Module 3: Ethical and legal aspects of using personal information in register-based research. The research community is entrusted with their professional responsibility when utilising register data for research purposes. As register data is not primarily collected for research, it is critical to protect and guarantee individual privacy with respect to how personal data are used and distributed to others. This module will be integrated in the above modules and address legal aspects and laws that apply to register-based research, and ethical principles that should be emphasised in this context. |
| Teaching and learning activities | The course will be divided into three aligned modules. The third module will be integrated in the two other modules. The emphasis is on analysis, synthesis and the ability to make critical and independent interpretations, so-called higher order thinking skills. Different strategies, such as interactive lectures and various forms of group assignments will be used. All activities are designed to stimulate active learning, and communication between peers and teachers. Diverse perspectives and a broad, cross-border approach for various problem areas will be promoted, and cross-fertilisation between different disciplines will be stimulated. The collaborative-learning nature of assignments is also highlighted and peer learning emphasised |
| Compulsory elements | |
| Examination | Learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessment methods will be constructed so that they harmonise, so-called constructive alignment. Assessment and learning are seen as linked and not separate processes. The examination tasks contain formative and summative features. Different methods for feedback on assignments are used, both so-called peer assessment and teacher-to-student. The individual examination (summative assessment) constitutes of a take-home examination. |
| Literature and other teaching material | Suggested reading:
Rothman KJ. Epidemiology: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press; 2012. Scientific papers and other material will be distributed before the course. |
| Number of students | 12 - 20 |
| Selection of students | Eligible doctoral students will be prioritized according to 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant’s doctoral project (according to written information), 2) date for registration as a doctoral student (priority given to earlier registration date). To be considered, submit a completed application form. Give all information requested, including a short description of current research training and motivation for attending, as well as an account of previous courses taken. |
| More information | This two-week course is divided into two separate course weeks. The dates are March 30-April 3, 2020 (week 1) and September 28-October 2, 2020 (week 2). The course will be arranged as a retreat somewhere in Sweden. Travel costs and accommodation will be covered in relation to the educational activities. The target group is doctoral students (and those who have recently completed their doctoral education) involved in register-based research within their research training. Eligible applicants are registered doctoral students at a Nordic higher education institution. Given availability, also applicants (doctoral students and those who have recently completed their doctoral education) not at a Nordic higher education institution can be considered. Eligible doctoral students (and those who have recently completed their doctoral education) will be selected based on aspects regarding the project and the applicant (see below), and if the syllabus seems to be of relevance for the applicant's project. Date for registration as doctoral student will be taken into account, and priority will be given to earlier registration date. A letter of motivation (not exceeding one A4 sized page) from the main supervisor is required, which should state that the student is recommended and permitted to take part in the course (with the exception of emergencies). This letter should be emailed to johanna.bergman@ki.se 1. Aspects that are considered regarding the project: - The project’s relevance for the area of Nordic register-based research. - The project’s potential novelty, originality, design and relation to research forefront. - The project's potential to create new knowledge, new ideas and approaches. - If the project seems to be ethically and legally acceptable. - If presented project seems to be relevant for the research question under study. - If the general design, including time schedule seems to be optimal for the project. - The project´s potential strengths and limitations as well as alternative approaches. 2. Aspects that are considered regarding the applicant: - The applicant´s motivation for attending the course. The supervisor´s motivation is also considered. Time since admission as a doctoral student (to be early in their education is an advantage). - The applicant´s ability to describe the project. Link to the webpage: https://ki.se/en/imm/nordforsk-graduate-education-courses |
| Additional course leader | |
| Latest course evaluation | Not available |
| Course responsible |
Anita Berglund Institutet för miljömedicin Anita.Berglund@ki.se |
| Contact person |
Johanna Bergman Institutet för miljömedicin johanna.bergman@ki.se Nobels väg 13 17177 Stockholm |
