Foundations in Conducting Clinical Research

ASRM RI Foundations in Conducting Clinical Research Course

Description:

This hybrid course provides participants with the foundational conceptual and analytical skills necessary to conduct clinical research studies in reproductive health. The course will cover all aspects of clinical research – developing a research question, choosing an appropriate study design, analyzing the data, and disseminating findings. Participants will also learn the techniques of research proposal writing and will be paired with an experienced mentor to guide the design and implementation of a pilot project to be carried out during the year, which will be funded by a $3,000 microgrant. Participants are expected to attend and contribute to class discussions for a total of four virtual sessions and two days of in-person instruction.

Course Overview:

  • ACTIVITY NUMBER: RIRC100 (Research Institute Research Course)
  • ACTIVITY TITLE:  Foundations in Conducting Clinical Research Course
  • DATES: Expected to launch in early 2025, with the first virtual component in Summer 2025
  • COURSE FORMAT: Hybrid course with four virtual sessions with two in-person sessions

Application & Eligibility:

  • Eligible Applicants:

    • Fellows

    • Postdoctoral researchers

    • MDs, PhDs, and MD/PhD trainees

    • Early-career physician-scientists

  • Available Spots: 10–12 participants

  • Program Outputs:

    • Certificate of completion

    • Micro-grant support

    • Paired mentorship

    • Presentation opportunity at ASRM

  • Application Requirements:

    • Career goals statement

    • Curriculum vitae (CV)

    • Two letters of support

    • Research goals statement

  • Additional Requirement for Fellows and Postdocs:

    • One letter must come from the department chair, chief, program director, or principal investigator (PI)

Pricing:

  • MEMBER PRICE: $1,495
  • NON-MEMBER PRICE: $1,895

Educational Objectives:

At the conclusion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:

  1. Identify study designs that are routinely used in clinical research studies and critically appraise their strengths and weaknesses
  2. Understand best practices for data analysis and dissemination of results
  3. Describe the importance of human subjects protections and scientific integrity in clinical research
  4. Develop a strong research proposal

Course Outline:

  • DAY 1 (In Person-8 hours): 
    • Study planning
    • Study design and analysis (Part 1)

  • DAY 2 (In Person- 8 hours):
    • Study design and analysis (Part 2)
    • Sample size and power
    • Writing a research proposal
    • Bias and causal associations

  • Virtual session 1 (2 hours): 
    • Ethical issues and human subjects protections

  • Virtual session 2 (2 hours)
    • Scientific writing
    • Disseminating findings

  • Virtual session 3 (2 hours)
    • Other study designs, Part I

  • Virtual session 4 (2 hours)
    • Other study designs, Part II

  • OPTIONAL SESSION (Virtual – 2 hrs.)
    • Optional study design sessions