An Online Modular Research Methods Course:
Introduction to Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Developing Research Literacy in Academic Medical Research Institutions

Abstract:

This course is geared toward medical residents with the aim of teaching in an accessible format biostatistical and epidemiological concepts, the design and conduct of research protocols, and the presentation and publication of research results. The ultimate goal of this course is to develop critical appraisal skills of medical residents so that they can read the medical literature with an eye toward research and/or informing clinical practice.

The pedagogical basis of the course is that biostatistical and epidemiological concepts should be presented accessibly with a minimum of mathematical formulae. Real world medical data is used to illustrate concepts, providing examples that are concrete and relevant to clinical practice. Given the nature of clinical practice, the traditional in-class teaching format does not work well for this audience of learners. Therefore we take the approach of developing an online modular course with interactive graphical tools for exploring biostatistical and epidemiological concepts. This approach overcomes the inherently problematic in-class format, and engages the student with interactive experimentation of key concepts (a widely accepted necessary component of distance-based learning).

Medical researchers must also be familiar with the practical aspects of developing research proposals for submission to funding agencies and must be aware of alternative approaches to clinical research. Therefore, while Biostatistics and Epidemiology are the primary focus of the course, additional modules will include literature searching strategies, reporting and summarizing research results, research ethics, and Qualitative Research Methods.

Individuals affiliated with various Canadian academic and clinical research organizations have contributed 30 modules in their areas of expertise.

This presentation will introduce the course and discuss planned developments and potential medical education research opportunities.

For a brief overview of the course please visit http://www.ResearchMethods.dal.ca

About the presenter:

Mohamed Abdolell, MSc, P.Stat.

Mohamed is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and the Division of Medical Education at Dalhousie University, as well as the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. He obtained a B.Sc. (double major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, minor in Computer Science), and an M.Sc. from the University of Toronto. He is an Affiliated Scientist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and holds the designation of Professional Statistician from the Statistical Society of Canada.

His current research interests include: (1) the development of a new BI-RADS scale based on breast density measured from full-field digital mammographic images, and developing predictive models utilizing a variety of modern, computationally intensive statistical learning methods, including decision trees, ensemble models, and variable selection in regression; (2) the development and evaluation of an educational intervention to teach introductory biostatistics and epidemiology to medical residents with the goal of improving critical appraisal skills; (3) public health surveillance systems incorporating statistical algorithms for the early detection of emerging trends and literate statistical reporting.

This presentation will be facilitated by Dr. Joseph Beyene.

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