Course code: HEL-8018

Introduction to Randomised Control Trials (RCT)

Apply between November 1 and January 6
Campus Tromsø
Semester / Year Spring 2025
Level Doktorgrad
Credits 2

About the course

PhD course. This course is available for both program students and course students.

The course is organised by the Clinical Research Department at the University Hospital of Northern Norway (UNN) in Tromsø and the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

  • Fundamental principles and practice of RCT.
  • Guidelines and standards in RCT.
  • Design of RCT, choice of randomization method.
  • Protocol writing/documentation requirements.
  • Approach to data analysis and introduction to statistical methods.
  • Challenges in planning and conducting RCTs.

Admission requirements

PhD students and students at the Student Research Programme, or holders of a Norwegian master´s degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted.

External applicants apply for the right to study by June 1st for courses that are taught in the autumn semester. Application is sent through SøknadsWeb. Please use the appliction code "9301 - Singular courses at the PhD level". If granted admission to the course students must register for class and exam in Studentweb by September 1st for autumn semester.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

After finishing the course, participants will

  • have knowledge about the fundamental principles of RCT, such as random allocation to experimental groups, blinding, precision, types of bias, ethical issues, data analysis etc, as well as a practical approach to this type of studies.

Skills

After finishing the course, participants will

  • be able to define research question to be answered by RCT.
  • be able to define comparison groups (inclusion and exclusion criteria).
  • be able to choose optimal design and randomization method.
  • be able to plan, initiate and conduct an RCT (primarily under supervision or in team).
  • know the requirements for documentation and registration of clinical trials.
  • be familiar with statistical analysis methods and challenges of RCT; reporting of RCT results; critical independent appraisal of published RCT reports.

Competence

After finishing the course, participants will

  • have basic competence necessary for planning and conducting RCT.
  • have a basis for further development.

Teaching methods

Lectures

Language of instruction and examination

English

Examination

Exams
Off campus exam Hand in: 03.03.2025 14:00 Hand out: 03.02.2025 09:00 Duration: 28 Days Grade:
Passed / Not Passed
Coursework requirements

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements

Participation in all lectures Grade:
Approved – not approved

Everything you need to know about before, during, and after the exam; registration, absence, appeals, and diplomas: UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

It is mandatory to attend all lectures.

Re-sit examination

Students who do not pass the previous ordinary examination can gain access to a re-sit examination.

Previous years and semesters

Kontakt oss

Responsible unit: Institutt for klinisk medisin