Designing Clinical Research for Beginning Investigators
The course focuses on the most important aspects of clinical research, which are finding a meaningful research question and planning an efficient, effective, and ethical study design. Designed as a practical guide, the course addresses basic and advanced concepts of most forms of clinical research, including translational research, clinical trials, patient-reported outcomes research, epidemiological studies, behavioural science and health services research conducted by physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals. It explains terms and principles of epidemiology, emphasizing a systematic and common-sense approach to challenging judgments one has to make when designing and implementing a clinical study.
Upon successful completion of this course, the participants will be able to
- Understand basic principles of patient-oriented and translational studies, epidemiological and behavioural studies, public health and health services research
- Critically analyse study design (research questions, study populations, measurements, hypotheses, and sample size)
- Evaluate different research design options, i.e., cross-sectional and cohort studies, case control and diagnostic test studies, and different types of clinical trials
- Apply additional skills needed for designing and implementing clinical research i.e., analytic approaches used to enhance design of clinical research
| Course language: | English |
| Duration: | 12 weeks |
| Next Start: | October, 2026 |
| Workload and ECTS: | 60 hours, 2 ECTS |
Classroom training dates 2026:
The course takes place every Tuesday from 10:10h - 12:00h over a period of 12 weeks.
15.09.2026
22.09.2026
29.09.2026
20.10.2026
27.10.2026
03.11.2026
10.11.2026
17.11.2026
24.11.2026
01.12.2026
08.12.2026
This 12-week course requires students to:
- complete weekly assignments (1-2 questions related to the specific topic of the week) and
- attend a 2-hour session (1-hour lecture on the specific topic of the week+ 1-hour presentation and discussion of assignment responses).
12 x 2 hours
Certificate of attendance will be issued after successful course completion.
The crediting of 2 ECTS requires
- Written response to all weekly assignments related to the course content
- Leading and moderating one of the weekly journal clubs
- Active participation in weekly discussions
This course is open for everyone who is interested in conducting or understanding Clinical Research. The course is specifically tailored for PhD students of the PhD subject Clinical Research enrolled at the University of Basel, Faculty of Medicine. Moreover, PhD students of the other PhD subjects of the Faculty of Medicine (Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Ethics, Medicines Development, Nursing Science, Public Health/ Epidemiology or Sport Science) are eligible to register for the course.
Minimum 8 and maximum 15 registered participants.
The course is free of charge.
Director of Studies:
- Prof. Maria C. Katapodi, PhD, RN, FAAN
Teaching staff:
- Prof. Dr. Maria C. Katapodi, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Michigan School of Nursing
- Chang Ming, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel
- Zhongxing Zhang, Senior Scientist, Center for Sleep Medicine, Sleep Research and Epileptology, Clinic Barmelweid AG
- Alexandra Kulinkina, PhD, Project Leader Swiss TPH, Adjunct Ass. Professor, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Mareike Gräter
Training and Education
Department Clinical Research (DKF), University of Basel
c/o University Hospital Basel
Spitalstrasse 8/12
CH-4031 Basel
mareike.graeter@clutterusb.ch
Tel. +41 61 556 59 76
Registration will be open in early 2026.
Medical Faculty of the University of Basel
For PhD Students: To add this course to your academic record, please create a Learning Contract on MOnA, before the start day of the course and follow the instructions of your respective faculty.
Required Book:Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady DG, Newman TB. Designing Clinical Research, 4th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilking
Universität Basel, Biozentrum, Spitalstr. 41, 4065 Basel