Reproducibility in Clinical Research

In both research and clinical care, biological phenomena are continuously being measured and quantified at a massive scale. We often take the reproducibility of these measurement for granted, and assume that the same test under the same conditions will provide similar results. This is, however, rarely the case.

This one week interactive course will focus the topic of reproducibility. Reproducibility is defined as the degree to which repeated measures under stable conditions provide similar results. How close or similar are results of repeated tests being performed in the same individual? What are sources of discrepancy between repeated measures? And how well are tests able to distinguish (healthy and diseased) from each other?

This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills for assessment of the various aspects of reproducibility. Pitfalls at the various phases will be discussed and a framework on how to evaluate new tests before implementation will be provided. During three practical sessions, students collectively will generate a dataset, based on their own measurements. This real dataset will be used the rest of the week for statistical practical sessions focused on evaluation of intra- and interobserver reliability and reproducibility.

• explain the concepts of intra- and interobserver reliability and reproducability
• design studies aimed at evaluating intra- and interobserver reliability and agreement
• apply statistical analyses regarding reliability and reproducibility
• report on reliability and reproducibility according to the GRRAS guidelines

Our courses are aimed at clinical researchers, nurses, general practitioners, and other health professionals who want to improve their skills in epidemiology, statistics and (clinical) research.

1 week, fulltime (face to face)

Please note that this course is part of an existing program within the Graduate School of Life Sciences.