Last modified: 22 Sep 2025 13:16
This course will focus on trials in the evaluation of real-world healthcare and public health settings. The course is run by staff from our world-leading Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials (CHaRT) and the Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation - awarded the Queen's Anniversary Award for sustained excellence in health services research. Through studying this course, you will develop the knowledge and awareness of how to design a fair test, the appropriate use of trials and alternative trial designs, involving patients and the public, and sample size considerations.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) are used to test the effectiveness of interventions. This course is to take a student through the process of designing RCTs. The course aims to develop students' knowledge and awareness of how to design a fair test, the appropriate use of trials and alternative trial designs, involving patients and the public, and sample size considerations. Teaching and learning for this course will involve a combination of lectures, practical sessions, self-study, discussion boards, and assignments. Independent study and group exercises based around examples from real trials will develop your critical understanding of trial design.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 15 | Feedback Weeks | 18 | |
| Feedback |
1,200-word short-answer question. Written feedback provided via Blackboard. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Specify a clear, answerable research question suitable for investigation through a randomised trial. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an appreciation of the scientific basis for methods or approaches to reduce bias in randomised trials e.g., intention-to-treat and blinding. |
| Procedural | Apply | Identify the benefits of randomisation and concealment of allocation as a mechanism for reducing bias and implement appropriate methods for a randomised trial. |
| Procedural | Create | Enhance your ability to communicate complex information about randomised trial design. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Develop the ability to specify and critically evaluate the design, methodology and outcomes of randomised trials. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 20 | Feedback Weeks | 24 | |
| Feedback |
3,500-word essay. Written feedback provided via Blackboard. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Specify a clear, answerable research question suitable for investigation through a randomised trial. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an appreciation of the scientific basis for methods or approaches to reduce bias in randomised trials e.g., intention-to-treat and blinding. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate an ability to calculate and justify appropriate sample sizes, taking into account statistical power, effect sizes, and real-world feasibility. |
| Procedural | Apply | Identify the benefits of randomisation and concealment of allocation as a mechanism for reducing bias and implement appropriate methods for a randomised trial. |
| Procedural | Create | Learn to identify challenges within the design and conduct of randomised trials and develop effective solutions to ensure integrity and success. |
| Procedural | Create | Enhance your ability to communicate complex information about randomised trial design. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Develop the ability to specify and critically evaluate the design, methodology and outcomes of randomised trials. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Identify the benefits of randomisation and concealment of allocation as a mechanism for reducing bias and implement appropriate methods for a randomised trial. |
| Procedural | Create | Enhance your ability to communicate complex information about randomised trial design. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an appreciation of the scientific basis for methods or approaches to reduce bias in randomised trials e.g., intention-to-treat and blinding. |
| Procedural | Create | Learn to identify challenges within the design and conduct of randomised trials and develop effective solutions to ensure integrity and success. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate an ability to calculate and justify appropriate sample sizes, taking into account statistical power, effect sizes, and real-world feasibility. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Develop the ability to specify and critically evaluate the design, methodology and outcomes of randomised trials. |
| Conceptual | Create | Specify a clear, answerable research question suitable for investigation through a randomised trial. |
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