Reading and Writing Statistics in Clinical Publications
The course focuses on the most important statistical aspects and methods in clinical research. Through the course, participants will develop an understanding and critical evaluation of the statistical methods used in scientific publications. They will learn to develop a scientifically and statistically solid research question and analysis plan and get an introduction to the correct use and interpretation of the most important statistical tools in clinical research.
Main topics covered during this course are:
- building a research question
- study design
- descriptive statistics
- hypothesis testing
- p-values and confidence intervals
- diagnostic measures
- linear and logistic regression
- survival analysis
- writing a statistical analysis plan
Students will also get the opportunity to bring and discuss own cases and topics.
| Course language: | English |
| Duration: | 9 x 1.5 hours in the afternoon |
| Next Start: | October 2026 |
| Workload and ECTS: | 15h of workload |
Course dates 2026
will follow shortly
Course dates 2025
9 x Tuesdays, 15.30 - 17.00h, starting October 21, 2025.
| Session 1 (October 21, 2025) | The scientific method and building a research question |
| Session 2 (October 28, 2025) | Descriptive statistics, data presentation and visualisation |
| Session 3 (November 4, 2025) | P-values and confidence intervals |
| Session 4 (November 11, 2025) | Diagnostic measures |
| Session 5 (November 18, 2025) | Linear (multiple) regression |
| Session 6 (November 25, 2025) | Logistic regression |
| Session 7 (December 2, 2025) | Time-to-event/Survival analysis |
| Session 8 (December 09, 2025) | Writing a statistical analysis plan |
| Session 9 (December 16, 2025) | Bring your own research! |
This 9-week course requires students to attend a 1.5-hour session per week (1-hour session on the specific topic of the week + 0.5-hour of discussion).
9 x 1.5 hours
Workload: 15 hours
Certificate of attendance will be issued after successful course completion (80%, at least 7 sessions out of 9).
For PhD Students: 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 most important statistical aspects and methods in 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.
No prior knowledge of the specific topic is required.
Priority will be given to early career clinical researchers aiming for a habilitation.
Minimum 8 and maximum 20 registered participants.
The course is free of charge.
Prirority do have….???
- Director of Studies:
- Michael Coslovsky, PhD
- Teaching Staff:
- Michael Coslovsky, PhD, Teamleader Data Analysis/Statistics, Department of Clinical Research
- Marco Cattaneo, PhD, Senior Statistician, Department of Clinical Research
- Nikki Rommers, PhD, Statistician, Department of Clinical Research
- Deborah Vogt, PhD, Senior Statistician, Department of Clinical Research
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
Please register here.
Registration: TBD
Medical Faculty of the University of Basel
- Please note that the detailed course progam and dates are subject to change.
- There will be no option to participate in the course online.
University Hospital Basel, Department of Clinical Research, Spitalstr. 8/12, Sitzungszimmer EG rechts, 4031 Basel