Michigan

University of Michigan

1420 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029

On Job/On Campus Master's in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis

Roderick J. Little, PhD
Biostatistics Department
OJ/OC Program in CRDSA
1420 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
http://www.sph.umich.edu/biostat/programs/clinical-stat/
(734) 615-9817
sph.bio.inquiries@umich.edu
Director: Roderick J. Little, PhD

Degree Offered
MS in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis

Eligibility
Health care professionals who are involved in clinical research. Must have at least a bachelor's degree.

Duration
It usually takes approximately 19 months to complete the traditional program. However, some students are in a mentored-track (K30) program and it takes them closer to 23 or 24 months to complete.

Thesis Requirement
No

Goals
To develop expertise in research design and statistical analyses appropriate to clinical research. The content of the program can be defined in a number of ways: the purposes of research, research design concepts, data collection methods, and statistical or analytical methods. The program provides concepts and methods that relate to the purposes of clinical research, clinical epidemiology, clinical trials, program evaluation, and technology assessment.

Research design concepts include the traditional approaches to the scientific method; the concepts of validity, reliability, causal relationships, role of randomization, standards for comparison, and sampling, as well as other recently developed methods of approaching decisions about research outcomes such as decision analysis and cost-utility analysis. The data collection methods deal with instrumentation, questionnaire construction, nonreactive measures, survey techniques, qualitative data, measurement and standardization problems, concepts and criteria of normalcy, and disease and diagnostic criteria.

Statistical techniques for estimation and hypothesis testing, including comparison of proportions, chi-square test, comparison of means, analysis of variance and covariance, multiple regression analysis, logistic regression, and survival analysis are presented. In addition to a comprehensive curriculum in research design and statistical analysis, other content relevant to clinical researchers is included: ethical and legal issues in clinical research, technical writing skills and proposal/report writing, management of research, and behavioral factors in clinical research. Students learn computer skills and concepts, including data file management, data organization, and use of statistical packages. Visiting faculty with experience in specialized research subjects meet with the students to discuss current problems in clinical research.

Training Programs in Clinical Research

2065 Palmer Commons
Box 2218
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0678
http://www.umich.edu/~tpcr/
(734) 615-3487
K30@umich.edu
Director: David E. Schteingart, MD

Degree Offered
MS (Concurrent with the OJ/OC Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis Degree)

Eligibility
All terminal healthcare professional degrees (MD, PharmD, DDS, PhD, etc); must have clinical responsibilities

Duration
2.5 years

Thesis Requirement
Competition of a mentored clinical research project, including application for external funding

Goals
In addition to the goals detailed by the OJ/OC Program, and in conjuction with the goal of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Curriculum Development Award, our program aims to train physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals in the methodology required to conduct successful clinical research. The University of Michigan (UM) established the Training Programs in Clinical Research to enhance and support existing training programs at UM. This program takes advantage of the substantial resources and rich clinical research base that exists at UM, as well as adds elements that clearly create new career opportunities in clinical research for new investigators by:

• Teaching clinical investigators how to develop a research project through identification of a testable hypothesis, formulation of appropriate methodology, and understanding of statistical considerations in study design and data analysis
• Promoting knowledge of ethical issues involved in clinical research
• Helping develop grant writing and scientific communication skills
• Providing ideas and skills necessary for the performance of specific types of research, such as clinical trials and translational research
• Providing opportunities for "hands-on" clinical research under the guidance of an experiences mentor
  

Additionally, our K12 program allows for individuals to tailor a training plan and coursework to their specific needs, while providing protected time to pursue their research endeavors, projects, and training.

Wayne State University School of Medicine

540 E. Canfield Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

Master of Science in Medical Research

540 E. Canfield Avenue
Graduate Programs
1128 Scott Hall
Detroit, MI 48201
http://www.med.wayne.edu/gradprog/programs/medres.htm
(313) 577-1455
rpauley@med.wayne.edu
Director: Robert J. Pauley

Degree Offered
Master of Science in Medical Research

Eligibility
Applicants must have a MD or equivalent professional degree in human health care. Applicants must be actively participating in Wayne State University School of Medicine affiliated post-graduate clinical medicine training programs. Applicants are expected to identify a Wayne State University School of Medicine faculty member actively engaged in medical research as a research advisor for the master's research and thesis in their application.

Duration
Approximately 12 months

Thesis Requirement
Thesis, original research based, is required.

Goals
Graduates will have gained in depth experience in medical research, that may include experimental laboratory research (such as mechanism of action of therapeutics) and/or clinical research (such as participation in the design and/or analysis of clinical trials investigating new therapeutics). This experience will improve the capability of graduates to lead their own subsequent independent experimental and/or clinical research.