The aim of this course is to have an understanding of the major methodological issues in designing a randomized controlled trial (RCT)
of a psychological intervention in mental health care. Students should be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of the designs of published trials and be able to design a trial themselves.
Course Description
The course focuses on: the research questions which can be answered by a RCT, types of RCTs, design of a RCT according to the CONSORT statement (e.g. phrasing of the research question, choice of control group, blinding, randomization, power analysis, in- and exclusion criteria, measuring outcomes, treatment integrity),analyzing and presenting data (including how to deal with missing data), and economical analyses. Furthermore, we discuss medical ethical issues in performing a trial as well as practical aspects of carrying out a RCT.
Study Characteristics
- Discipline: Psychology
- Type of education: Lecture and practical
- Academic skill: N/A
- Graduate School: N/A
- Start date: TBD
- End date: TBD
- Minimum number of students: N/A
- Maximum number of students: N/A
- Admission criteria: Contact the course coordinator for information on admission criteria
- Concluding assessment: Yes
- Assessment type: There is an exam with open-end questions. Students also have to write a research proposal of a RCT (pre-specified format). The exam weighs 2/3 and the paper 1/3 of the final grade. Both the exam and the paper have to be sufficient (5.5 or higher).
- With Certificate: N/A
- Schedule info: N/A
- Number of lessons: N/A
- Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
- Sign up period: N/A
- Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
- Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)
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Course Description & Study Characteristics
Course Description
The course focuses on: the research questions which can be answered by a RCT, types of RCTs, design of a RCT according to the CONSORT statement (e.g. phrasing of the research question, choice of control group, blinding, randomization, power analysis, in- and exclusion criteria, measuring outcomes, treatment integrity),analyzing and presenting data (including how to deal with missing data), and economical analyses. Furthermore, we discuss medical ethical issues in performing a trial as well as practical aspects of carrying out a RCT.
Study Characteristics
- Discipline: Psychology
- Type of education: Lecture and practical
- Academic skill: N/A
- Graduate School: N/A
- Start date: TBD
- End date: TBD
- Minimum number of students: N/A
- Maximum number of students: N/A
- Admission criteria: Contact the course coordinator for information on admission criteria
- Concluding assessment: Yes
- Assessment type: There is an exam with open-end questions. Students also have to write a research proposal of a RCT (pre-specified format). The exam weighs 2/3 and the paper 1/3 of the final grade. Both the exam and the paper have to be sufficient (5.5 or higher).
- With Certificate: N/A
- Schedule info: N/A
- Number of lessons: N/A
- Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
- Sign up period: N/A
- Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
- Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)
Contact the course coordinator for registration
Prof. dr. A. van Straten