Observational Studies & Analysis of Observational Datasets

The course Observational Studies and Analysis of Observational Datasets equips participants with practical knowledge to understand, analyze, and interpret observational health data. Participants will learn how study design, bias, confounding, data quality, and missing data shape the credibility of research findings. Through applied examples, the course shows how real-world clinical data can be transformed into meaningful and reliable research evidence. 

Upon successful completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

  • Understand when observational studies provide the right evidence (and when randomized trials are needed). 
  • Learn how to recognize bias, confounding, and misleading associations in real-world clinical data. 
  • Gain confidence in interpreting key results, including odds ratios, risk ratios, hazard ratios, confidence intervals, and p-values. 
  • Explore how routine clinical data can be transformed into credible research evidence through good data hygiene, missing data handling, and appropriate analysis.
Course language: English
Duration: 8h
Next Start: 21 and 25 January 2027
Workload and ECTS:15h of workload / ECTS: can be awarded in case of combination with other courses of the “methods” category

Dates 2027
Thursday, 21 and Monday, 25 January 2027, 13.00 - 17.00 h.

The course will be covered by face-to-face teaching in combination with pre-reading and home assignments. 

Workload: 15h / The crediting of ECTS is possible and requires:

  • Prepare for each block by studying relevant material chosen by the lecturer. You will receive your pre-reading material in due time before each module.
  • Be present at the course 
  • Complete an assessment of your acquired knowledge at the end of the course. This may be a small quiz or a written assignment.

If all requirements have been met, you will receive a certificate for 15 hours of workload. 

To add this course to your academic record, please create a Learning Contract on MOnA (choosing your supervisor as the assessor and pass/fail as assessment) before the start day of the course and follow the instructions of your respective faculty.

This course is open for everyone who is interested in gaining an overview of the latest research methods used in Health Sciences. It is especially appropriate for clinical investigators and research personnel involved in the statistical analysis of clinical research projects. 

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 GSMHS and of 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.

No prior knowledge of the specific topic is required.

Minimum 10 and maximum 15 registered participants.

CHF 750 CHF

Reduced course fee DKF research group members (for details see *)

*)The Department of Clinical Research (DKF) offers training grants for members of DKF research groups which result in a reduced fee of CHF 375. Please note, that training grants can only be offered to DKF clinical research group members, who are working at the group leaders’ local study center.

Limited free places available for (MD-)PhD Students of the GSMHS and of all (MD-)PhD subjects of the Medical Faculty of the University of Basel.

Cancellation of your registration is possible until 10 days before the course date. Cancellation thereafter or absence from the course will result in a cancelation fee of half the course fee.

Organiser
Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, c/o University Hospital Basel

Directors of Studies
Dr. Andrea Kiemen, Scientific Officer Training & Education, Department of Clinical Research (DKF)
Dr. Anja Matthiä, Coordinator Teaching and Training, Swiss TPH

Teaching Staff: 

Experts from the Medical Faculty, University of Basel
Nikki Rommers, PhD, Senior Statistician, Department of Clinical Research (DKF)

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@usb.ch
Tel. +41 61 556 59 76

Registration will be opened in summer 2026

Medical Faculty, University of Basel

University of Basel
TBD

 

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